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University Collections

Making Memories

Suitcase

What do our souvenirs mean to us?

The tourist market capitalises on most travellers’ desire to have a tangible memento to remember their travels. Every souvenir, fancy or simple, holds a unique meaning to its collector. Souvenirs mark the special moments in our lives and allow us to recall these experiences when we have travelled home.

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Large green painted emu egg set on a silver stand. Base of stand has a silver figure holding a spear on one size and a silver figure of an emu on the other. The egg is topped with a silver emu.

Emu egg trinket box from Australia

This stunning emu egg was a wedding present to Christian Watson Forsyth in 1880. Her brother gifted her this trinket box for storing keepsakes, purchased in Adelaide, Australia. The hinged egg is surrounded by silverwork depicting wallabies, plant life, emus and a man throwing a spear. ABDUA:85180

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Off white short sleeved t-shirt with maroon printed text printed over an outline image of the UK. In the image, Scotland has been coloured in maroon. Text reads: Highland dancing seminar conducted by Bobby Watson / Mackay 1978. 'Kay Munro xxx Australia' has been written in red pen at right hand side.

Bobby Watson’s souvenir t-shirts from Australia

World Champion Highland Dancer Bobby Watson donated a collection of souvenir t-shirts to the University from his time teaching dance workshops and judging competitions in Australia in the 1970s and 1980s. Originally from Aberdeen, Scotland, Bobby Watson’s international career saw him recognised as a culturally significant performer and Highland Dance preservationist. This shirt commemorates just one moment from his celebrated career. ABDUA:55148

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A toy box topped with the busts of a male and a female figures. The faces of the figures are placed close to each other in an almost kissing position.

A Christmas gift from Shanghai

This papier-mâché toy was gifted between the Earl and Lady of Kintore during their honeymoon to China in 1873. This Christmas gift represented their union and commemorated their holiday together. It must have been treasured, as it was kept in the family until being donated to the University in 1968. ABDUA:56565

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Illustrations from Venezuela, Mauritius, and the Seychelles

Drawing depicting a man wearing only white trousers carrying a pole across his right shoulder. Coconuts hang from both sides of the pole. The man in walking through a jungle with palm trees. A village with houses in front of a mountain is visible in the background.
Drawing depicting a coastal scene. A canoe is visible at lower right foreground with hills visible at left middle ground and mountains in the background.
Drawing depicting a large tree with a large amount of roots.
Drawing depicting a view of an interior of a cave looking towards the entrance. Stalactites are visible from the ceiling. A figure is visible in the far distance.

Creating an illustration of local scenery can be a meaningful way for a traveller to keep a memory from their trip. Originally from Aberdeen, Arthur Gordon created these sketches during his travels in the late 19th century. The sketches were kept by his granddaughter and later donated to the university over one hundred years later. ABDUA:63571

Suitcase

Making Memories