The story of Central Coast souvenirs came to life at the recent launch of Peter Fisher’s new book Wish You Were Here: A History of Tourism on the NSW Central Coast.
The book was launched by Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch on November 16 at Evergreen Village, West Gosford, and the event included a large display of Central Coast souvenir items.
“Few people realise how many souvenirs were produced to honour and celebrate the Central Coast,” Fisher said.
“The first souvenirs were postcards, which were easily manufactured and cheap to buy, but between the World Wars the industry became more organised and English-made bone china items started to appear.
“The Second World War halted the industry but by the 1950s there was an explosion of items which included key chains, spoons, ceramic cups, jugs and figurines, wooden rulers, tea towels and just about anything you can think of which could have a local name stamped on it.
“Spoons were by far the biggest seller and as a result there are now hundreds if not thousands of vintage souvenir spoons for sale at charity shops and garage sales across the country.”
It has taken the author three years to find the many souvenirs in the collection, helped by local Rotarian Mitch Gordon who runs Central Coast Antiques and Collectables in Gosford and who used his connections to find and gift at least half the collection.
Fisher’s book covers the history of local tourism from the 1800s to the mid-1970s and includes one chapter devoted solely to the souvenir.
For further information or to order a book, email: peterfishercentralcoast@gmail.com
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