Banner

Production date
1935
Description
A rectangular painted banner featuring the crest of the New Plymouth borough and a table of results (possibly rugby) on both sides. The banner has been painted on the reverse of two maps that have been sewn together and fitted with rope at one end to allow it to be hung. It has thick frills cut around three edges.The cup features the enamelled crest of New Plymouth on the front. " BOROUGH OF NEW PLYMOUTH " is written in gold in a decorative border around the crest. " MAURI MAHI/MAURI ORA " is written on a red scroll below the crest which is divided into four quadrants by a Southern Cross and features symbols representing a cow, a ship, a tree fern and a hei tiki. " 1935. / Matches played: (July 28) v. N. Kings Ltd: Won 14-6/ (Aug 11) v. " Warehouses " : Won 27-5 (Aug 18) v. " King's etc ": Won:16-6/(Aug 25) v " Milkmen ": Won 6-5"/ (Sept 1) v J.B. MacEwan's: Won 15-5 / (Sept 8) v P & T Dept.: Won 30-9 / (Sept 21 v. Stratford Boro.: Lost 14-24 /(Sept 28) v Stratford Boro': Lost 3-7". " L.G Westwood : 23.8.35 " is written in small black letters near the bottom. The same design and information is repeated on both sides of the banner.
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Object detail

Artist/Maker
Production role
Maker
Production date
1935
Credit line
Social sports results can quickly fade from memory but this handmade banner shows one group of weekend warriors didn’t want to forget their 1935 season. But the story behind it remains frustratingly vague.
While the creator of the banner, L G Westwood, thought to record their name in one corner they left out some other crucial facts. The sport played is not mentioned (although the scores indicate it could well be rugby) and their own team is not named. However, it does seem reasonable that they came from the New Plymouth Borough Council since the borough crest features so prominently and the banner was found recently in a New Plymouth District Council storage area.
The banner, which has been sewn together using two old maps and a length of rope, records wins against prominent local firms including “Newton Kings” and “J B MacEwans”, but the season fizzles out with two losses to a team from Stratford Borough.
Accession number
PA2007.237
Collection type

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