Sterling silver cigarette box with engraved signatures, c.1910

Sterling silver cigarette box with engraved signatures, c.1910

This silver cigarette box brings together the engraved signatures of both Nellie Melba and Percy Grainger, making it a unique object within this exhibition. While the history of the memento is not known, it clearly has a musical context. All the signatures belong to musicians, including Pablo Casals (cellist), Louise Edvina Edwardes (soprano), Ada Sassoli (harpist), Frank St Leger (pianist and conductor), John Lemmoné (flautist), Leopold Godowsky (pianist) and John Philip Sousa (composer and conductor).

Australian Performing Arts Collection, Arts Centre Melbourne

Grainger Museum

c.1910

Arts Centre Melbourne

Australian Performing Arts Collection, Arts Centre Melbourne | 2015.018.002 | Purchased with funds from the Maxwell & Merle Carroll Bequest, 2015