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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Singer Sewing Machine, No. 44-13 |
| Date | c.1920 |
| Document Type | Object |
| Reference | SH 859.1 |
| Library / Archive | Museums Victoria |
| Collection Name | Personal Stories Collections |
| Description | Metal sewing machine, painted black with a rectangular base used by Vincenzo Candela in his tailoring trade. There are several oil holes on the top of the machine, the remains of decorative gold paint work on the top and sides of the machine and a brass plaque near the base of the machine. |
| Biographical Note / History | After his arrival in Australia from Italy in 1920 and, at the age of 47, Vincenzo established himself as a tailor, eventually establishing a successful 'Gents' High Class' tailoring business from his home in Melbourne. This model of Singer machine was first manufactured c.1915. Vincenzo Candela was a man of many skills. He was a skilled clarinet player and like most itinerant musicians from the region of Basilicata, Italy, Vincenzo travelled the world. As this was seasonal work, when they returned home, these musicians practised other trades to support their families. Hence, Vincenzo was also a skilled tailor and photographer, as well as having a grocery and wine shop. Arriving in Melbourne in November 1920, at the age of 47, with a wife and a 10-year-old son to support, Vincenzo made an assessment of the opportunities for earning a living with one of his three trades. Unlike the other professions, tailoring, and Italian and European fashion in particular, was very much in demand. Vicenzo had learned the trade of dressmaking in Italy, most likely in Naples, a city at that time renowned for its tailors, many of who settled in Brazil, Argentina and the USA. He had brought with him many fashion magazines and patterns, and purchased a Singer sewing machine soon after he arrived. He kept up to date with current trends in Europe and continued to be a tailor until his death on 19 June 1943. |
| Theme(s) | Permanent Settlement and Successive Generations |
| Country (from) | Italy |
| Country (to) | Australia |
| Nationality | Italian |
| People | Candela, Vincenzo |
| Keywords | emigration, immigrant, employment, object |
| Additional Information | Please note: Some of the metadata for this document has been taken from the Museum Victoria catalogue. |
| Catalogue Link | Museums Victoria Catalogue |
| Document(s) linked to |
Bellows Glass Plate Camera, Parisio Cantini Empoli Italian Photography Company Leaflet [Fragment] Set of Metal Thimbles Wicker and Earthenware Demijohn Sausage Maker, L. F. & C., 'Universal', No. 2 |
| Copyright | Museums Victoria |
