Nellie Melba alighting from her car with driver William Hayes, London, c.1900–10

Nellie Melba alighting from her car with driver William Hayes, London, c.1900–10

Melba owned numerous cars throughout her life including models made by Rolls Royce, Pierce-Arrow, Renault, Fiat and Cadillac. When she travelled, her cars were sometimes shipped between continents including to Australia. In Paris in 1904, Melba was distressed when her car, driven by her chauffeur, was involved in an accident that killed an elderly pedestrian.

Australian Performing Arts Collection, Arts Centre Melbourne

Grainger Museum

c.1900–10

Arts Centre Melbourne

Australian Performing Arts Collection, Arts Centre Melbourne
1989.077.003 | Purchased, 1989