Some are signed Remued, some are signed Pamela and some are unsigned. Rare painted examples are sometimes signed PPP. Most souvenir pieces lacked an incised shape number, although some of the same shapes do appear in non-souvenir form with numbers. A limited range of shapes was used.
Commemorative jugs usually had their handles aligned vertically, not skewed as on most Remued jugs.
Plump vase, wavy flared lip
These correspond in shape to
Early Series 193 L although their flare is a little less pronounced.
Height; 12 - 13 cm.
Conic jug with flaring top
Examples commemorating the 1934 Victoria centenary are (to date) only recorded un-numbered.
Height; 14 - 15 cm.
Collection; John Stephens
Both inscribed 'Batman'. On reverse; "Souvenir of Melbourne'. Bases incised Pamela
Inscribed 'Henty'. On reverse; 'Portland 1834-1934'. Base incised Pamela Hand Made
Norman Collection
Later examples, commemorating the 1936 accession of King Edward VIII, are signed Remued, the Pamela name being by then defunct. Undated. Inscribed 'Edward VIII'.
Note military cap on third example. This piece is the only commemorative item so far recorded that has a shape number incised;
Early Series 48 .
Jug, plump barrel-shaped body with flaring lip.
This shape appears to be
Early Series 201 judging by a shape-book entry, but every recorded example is un-numbered.
Height; 12 - 12.5 cm.
Inscribed 'Batman'. On reverse; 'Souvenir of Melbourne'
Bases incised Pamela 1934.
Inscribed 'Fawkner'
On reverse; 'Souvenir of Melbourne'
Base incised Remued
Cylinder jugs
Commemorative cylinder jugs are recorded in two slightly different shapes.
One is plain, straight-sided with no flare, and doesn't match any known shape number.
Height; 11.5 - 13 cm.
Graham Lancaster Auctions
Inscribed 'Fawkner'. (Reverse not recorded.) Base incised Remued
This brown jug, and both blue cylinder jugs below, have the wrong name - Batman bust inscribed 'Fawkner' and vice-versa.
Norman Collection
Inscribed 'Cook'.
On reverse; 'Melbourne Centenary 1934-35'
Base incised Remued.
Inscribed 'Batman'
On reverse; 'Souvenir of Melbourne'
Base incised Pamela 1934
Long Gone Antiques & Collectables, Warrnambool, Vic.
Inscribed 'Fawkner'
(Reverse not recorded)
Base incised Remued
L; inscribed 'Batman'. R; Fawkner bust, no name. On reverse; 'Souvenir of Melbourne'
Bases incised Remued.
Inscribed 'Fawkner'
On reverse; 'Souvenir of Melbourne'
Base incised Remued.
Collection; Jeremy Zarifopoulos
Inscribed 'Cook'.
On reverse; 'Souvenir of Melbourne 1934'
Base incised Remued.
Inscribed 'Batman'.
On reverse; 'Souvenir of Melbourne 1934'
Base incised Remued
Urn-shaped footed vase with flat circumferential band.
This shape is
Early Series 181 (the earlier of two shapes to be allocated that number).
Height; 20 - 23 cm
Examples are recorded incised Remued, with gumleaf decoration and busts with inscriptions 'Cook' and 'Fawkner'.
Two-handled tankard, modelled decoration
As part of the celebrations surrounding Victoria's centenary in 1934 this cottage, built in Yorkshire in 1755 by Captain Cook's parents, was relocated to the Fitzroy Gardens in Melbourne.
Collection; Stuart Lawson
[Click image to enlarge]
Inscribed 'Cook's Cottage' and signed 'R.Hawkins'. On back; PPP, painted not stamped.
Diameter; 24 cm.
More examples of this slightly flaring shape include a bust of Cook (Remued) and one of Batman (Pamela).
An example is also recorded with a bust of Fawkner.
Incised Remued. Picture not available.
Norman Collection
Inscribed 'Batman'
(Reverse & base not recorded)
The bust appears to have been modelled from this photographic portrait of Edward Henty.
Plump vase, wide mouth
This shape does not correspond to any recorded shape number.
Height; 12 cm.
Two busts, on opposite sides of the same piece. Inscribed 'Batman' and 'Fawkner'. Beneath the rim, inscribed 'Melbourne Centenary'. Base unmarked.
COMMEMORATIVE and SOUVENIR items
Premier Pottery Preston produced souvenir ware in the 1930s, contemporary with Early Series but rarely numbered. These pieces usually had a sprig-moulded bust of an historical figure applied to one side and were inscribed to the other side with, for example, 'Souvenir of Melbourne'
Known commemorative items relate to two events;
The centenary year of British settlement in Victoria, 1934. These feature busts of Edward Henty (founder of the first settlement at Portland in 1834); John Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner (rival founders of Melbourne in 1835); and navigator and explorer Captain James Cook.
The accession to the throne of Edward VIII in 1936, featuring a bust of the King.
Catherine Webb research collection
Inscribed 'Fawkner'
On reverse; 'Souvenir of Melbourne'
Base incised Pamela 1934
Catherine Webb research collection
Inscribed 'Cook's Cottage'
On reverse; 'Melbourne Centenary'
Base incised Remued
Names embossed (not incised) - 'Fawkner', 'Cook' and 'Batman'. ('Batman' illegible).
Bases incised Remued. Diameter; 9 cm.
These are unusual amongst Premier's wares in that they are press-moulded. Another such item is a leaf-shaped ashtray,
Early Series 336
Inscribed 'Fawkner'.
On reverse; 'Souvenir of Melbourne'
Base incised Pamela 1934
Collection; John Stephens
This exceptional piece features a modelled and painted depiction of John Batman, leaning on a rifle; and on the reverse, the inscription "This is the place for a village" - Batman. Melbourne Centenary. Base incised Remued. Height; 14 cm.
Ashtrays
Youngs Auctions - The Berry Collection
Signed on the side R.Hawkins. On the base (painted not incised) Cook's Cottage, Great Ayton.
Height; 11 cm.
Shape book 'C'
Annotated Cent, presumably short for 'Centenary'
Collection; Ross & Sharron Pentreath
Hurnall's Antiques & Decorative Arts
Base incised Remued.
Reverse incised 'Souvenir of Melbourne'.
Height; 15 cm..
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