Militaria

Lot 4201    SESSION 10 (9.30AM FRIDAY 27TH NOVEMBER)    Militaria

Estimate $250
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $400

MENIN GATE AT MIDNIGHT, a colour print mat framed under perspex with frame made of timber (68x48cm) from the decommissioned HMAS Sydney which was broken up in 1929, with two suspension loops on reverse, also with original brass title plaque, on the back of the framing board is the seal of the Australian War Memorial, the print was issued in the early 1930s as part of a fundraising effort to build the Australian War Memorial. Print as issued, the framing tape at the back needs to be tightened in some places, otherwise the frame is very fine.

Captain Frederick William Longstaff (1879-1953) was an Australian painter and war artist who produced several artworks commemorating those who died in World War I. The original painting is on display in the Australian War Memorial. Originally an admission fee was charged to view it in order to raise funds and this was so successful that prints were sold by the Australian War Memorial and also ex-servicemen were engaged to go door-to-door to sell the prints to raise funds to construct a permanent building which was not completed until 1941.