Gildea & Walker seems to peel back a wonderful patchwork stage curtain to reveal a Gil...

Gildea & Walker seems to peel back a wonderful patchwork stage curtain to reveal a Gilbert and Sullivan land of sunshine and happiness in their "Melbourne" pattern. The brown print is executed on the standard aesthetic period ivory body. In the tropical scene, a flock of little birds fly out from the foreground isle to greet the sailing ship and head out toward the sun. Among the geometric panels at the bottom we note a prominent owl and moon. (Does the owl and moon reserve indicate that the sun is setting and the operetta is finished?)

Gildea & Walkers' "Melbourne" seems to be the dominant pattern in a group of similar a...

Gildea & Walkers' "Melbourne" seems to be the dominant pattern in a group of similar aesthetic transfer patterns including Edge-Malkin's "Tonquin", Furnival's "Burmah", and Mayer's "Crusoe" among others. Each combines a scene with asymmetric geometric patchwork. A quick review of registration dates for the patterns would indicate that it was "Melbourne" that established the trend to be followed.