Images(3)

Evening dress

Maker I.Magnin

Datec 1939

Object number00016661

NameDress

MediumSilk taffeta

DimensionsOverall: 1410 mm, 0.2 kg

ClassificationsClothing and personal items

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Miriam Throsby

Terms

DescriptionSilk taffeta evening dress belonging to Miriam Throsby. Accompanies a black, velvet jacket 00016662. Miriam wore the dress, and matching velvet jacket, aboard the QUEEN MARY in 1939. Made in the United States of America and purchased on 7 March, 1939 at I. Magnin of San Francisco on 7 March, 1939. HistoryThis evening dress and accompanying jacket and shoes, were worn by Miriam Throsby (nee Hillier) during a voyage on the QUEEN MARY in May 1939 with her father, the Australian chocolatier Ernest Hillier. In February 1939, Ernest Hillier his daughter (Lucille) Miriam and son Bob left Sydney on board the MARIPOSA for San Francisco, en route to Europe. This was the long promised European trip for the young people. After visiting various locations in Canada and America, the family departed New York aboard the QUEEN MARY for London. Other countries visited were Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Switzerland, Italy, France and Scotland. It was while they were in Scotland that war was declared in September and the family returned to London. Finding passage from London at that time was difficult but the Hillier's managed to secure tickets aboard the MANHATTAN bound for New York. Whilst America had not entered the war at this stage, many Americans were returning home and newspaper reports of the day indicated that there were 1868 passengers aboard the MANHATTAN on departure. Passengers included the celebrated conductor Toscanini and three of the children of the US Ambassador to Britain, Joseph Kennedy. Miriam Throsby recalled that the trip across the Atlantic was harrowing. Firstly the ship went to Cherbourg, France, for five days to load champagne, chees and cars. She had to sleep on a mattress on the floor of a cabin with sic women, and the ship's lounges and saloons were turned into dormitories. Passengers practiced life-boat drills on board and at one stage on the journey followed by a British destroyer despite having a large American flag painted on the deck. From New York the Hilliers traveled to San Francisco where they rejoined the MARIPOSA for Sydney.