Four invitations celebrating the Opening of Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, some designed by prominent Australian artists; 'Opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth by his Royal Highness The Duke of Cornwall and York'

Melbourne: Sands & McDougall Limited, 1901. Very good condition. Four elegant color lithographed invitations highlighted in gilt, with manuscript additions of the name "Mr. T. Dewez and Lady" for the opening and celebrations in Melbourne in connection with the opening of the Parliament of Australia. Three invitations are dated 9th & 10th of May, 1901. The invitations are printed on stiff card. The imagery includes allegorical female figures, coats of arms, flags, shields, state emblems and the Australian Federation's coat of arms.

"His Majesty's Ministers of State for the Commonwealth of Australia, request the honor of the presence of 'Mr. T. Dewez and Lady' in the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, on Thursday, 9th May, 1901, to witness the Opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth. Edmund Barton, Prime Minister'. Melbourne: Sands & McDougall, 1901. Chromolithographic invitation to the opening of Australian Parliament, with the name of the guest handwritten. With an image of the young queen arriving at her coronation, with a short verse from Kipling's 'Commonwealth Ode' at the lower right. The artist's initials appear to be TC at the lower right. Printed on thick stock. Large 4to, 14 1/2 x 12 1/4". Trove 8334408.

(Ashton, Julian & Howard.) "In Celebration of the Opening, Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia. To meet Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall & York. A 1901 Invitation to an Evening Reception at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne". Melbourne: Sands & McDougall Limited, 1901. A color printed invitation to an evening reception held at the Exhibition Building, Melbourne, on the evening of 9th May 1901, with the name of the guest written in ink (Mr. T. Dewez and Lady). By the prominent Australian artist Julian Ashton. With two allegorical female figures, Britannia at the left, holding an oval shield with the Union Jack, and Victoria at the right, holding a blue and silver shield of the colony of Victoria. The design within a border of oak leaves, with an embossed stamp of the British coat of arms with gilt embellished lion and a silver gilt unicorn at the center of lower border. A smattering of light foxing on the mat board, overall very good. 11 1/2 x 9" invitation, laid down on original pale green mat. Bib ID 1188790.

(Norman Lindsay) "Opening of the Parliament of the Commonwealth by his Royal Highness The Duke of Cornwall and York". The National Gallery of Australia attributes the design to Norman Lindsay. Melbourne: Sands & McDougall Limited, 1901. Elegant color lithographed invitation highlighted in gilt, inscribed in ink to "Mr. T. Dewez & Lady", for the opening and celebrations in Melbourne in connection with the opening of the Parliament of Australia. The National Gallery of Australia attributes the design to Norman Lindsay. Large format cream colored card, with allegorical female figures and coats of arms. The images feature three female figures, at the left, Brittania, beneath an oak tree with white cliffs in the distance; the central figure representing justice, with crown and scepter at her feet, and against a gilt background; and the figure at the right representing Australia, with the Australian coat of arms, below. The 6 state emblems below the three figures, in gold, red and blue. Small scratched area affecting only the last three letters of the word "Victoria" in the first line of the invitation; little spot at the English crest not affecting image. Lower corners slightly bumped. 14 1/4 x 11 1/2". Trove 21649481. Very good condition.

"Australian Commonwealth Celebrations. The Government of Victoria request the honour of the presence of 'The Agent Nordeutscher Lloyd German Mail Steamers Mr. T. Dewez & Lady" at the Royal Review at Flemington on Friday 10th of May 1901'. No artist noted, with the royal crest at the top and portrait images of the King and Queen, Australian state flags and crests & images around Flemington. Printed by Sands & Mc Dougall Limited. Color lithograph, 14 1/2 x 12 1/4", very good condition.

Tussan Dewez (b. ca. 1850 - was a wool buyer who traveled extensively and lived in Melbourne.