Vida Lahey papers and works of art

This series contains original correspondence, by Vida Lahey while she is in London, during and soon after the First World War.

In 1916 Vida left Brisbane for London, where she established a home base for her brothers and cousins who were serving in the First World War, including brothers Jack, Romeo and Noel. Vida was in London when armistice was declared and wrote of the excitement at the time. She remained in Europe and travelled to France and The Netherlands before returning home in 1920.

This series contains typed and handwritten manuscripts, by Vida Lahey while she is in London, and Europe during and soon after the First World War. Also included are notes on talks and art education.

They include:

• Handwritten narrative, which starts on numbered page 4, titled 'From Turin to Genoa' ... written on the train. It finishes on numbered page 18.
• Handwritten narrative, the first page is titled Paris 7 December 1919. It begins "Oh for some sunshine!"
• Handwritten narrative, titled 'An Art Student in Paris. continued. It begins: 8.30 am, my first day at Colarossis. It begins on page numnbered 6, and concludes page numbered 21.
• Handwritten narrative, titled 'Rome' which begins 'Rome is a city of fountains, blue skies, & sunshine.
• Handwritten narrative, titled 'Ireland 1919, which begins 'The war and all it meant, seems a half-forgotten tale'
• Handwritten narrative, titled 'From Turin to Genoa' (written in the train). 
• Typed manuscript titled: 'On the boat', 1919-1921 possibly by Vida Lahey. The typescript in several chapters takes the form of a journal. 1 August 1919 - On the boat, going up the Scheldt to Antwerp [12 p.]; 9 August, Haarlem (Holland) [19 p.]; 16 August, Malines (Belgium) [11 p.]; 21 August, Ostend to Dover [10 p.]
• Typed manuscript (partial) dated September [no year] which begins ... We have just taken Lucy (the pony) to get new shoes. Set in Ireland, the narrator visits Mellifont Abbey close to Drogheda in County Louth, travelling by bicycle [pages 2-12]
• Typed manuscript describing the seafront, promenade and digue (dyke) in Belgium? [4 unmatched pages 11-14]
• Handwritten notes titled 'Talk on still life' [5 sheets, 5 pages]
• Typescript 'Art for children' no author [4 pages]
• Notes from the Queensland National Gallery, by Robert Haines [3 pages]

[Items OM67-30/5 to OM67-30/15 and OM67-30/23]

Art exhibition catalogues, some with annotations, which relate to the works of Vida Lahey. They include:

• Contemporary Group exhibition catalogues, 1931, 1934 & 1935. With annotations. 
• The Centenary Art Exhibition, Melbourne, 1934
• L'Exposition Internationale de Paris, 1937: Pavillion Australien

[Items OM67-30/16 to OM67-30/18]

Medal and certificate awarded to Vida Lahey in 1958 signifying her appointment to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).

[Items OM67-30/19 and OM67-30/20]

Two scrapbooks relating to the works and exhibitions of Vida Lahey ; as well as a lecture given on the language of art.

[Items OM67-30/3 and OM67-30/4]

Newspaper clippings relating to Vida Lahey and her work as artist and teacher.

• Five part narrative titled 'Paris to-day" by Frances [Vida] Lahey published in The Daily Mail (Brisbane)  June - August 1920
• Vida Lahey is retiring
• Last gallery visit with class of future artists

[Item OM67-30/21]