From partially obscured seal on whistle "Queen Victoria Building"

This whistle was part of the 'dead cat' act and was used by Arthur in theatres such as the Tivoli. Irritated by the noise of birds above him, created using the whistle, Arthur fires a gun at them and is hit on the head by a falling 'dead cat'.
The Jandaschewsky family collection was kept together by the last remaining family member, Arthur 'Jandy' Jandaschewsky. During the last years of his life 'Jandy' sold the collection to his friend John Anastasiadis. Mr Anastasiadis kept the collection for a 25 year period, having built a repository for housing and exhibiting it at his own home. In 1994 he sold the collection to the MAAS in order to keep it together, and in New South Wales, according to 'Jandy's' wishes.

Whistle, canary shaped, ceramic, Sydney, Australia, 1900-1960

Ceramic whistle in shape of a canary, painted yellow. There is a break in the tail which has been repaired. The tail is the mouthpiece.

Made: Sydney; 1900 - 1960

: Australia

Used: Jandaschewsky, Arthur 'Jandy'; Australia

Owned: Jandaschewsky, Arthur 'Jandy'; Europe

Owned: Jandaschewsky family; Europe

Owned: Anastasiadis, John; Europe

Seal at the base which is partially obstructed:"QUEEN VICTORIA/ BUILDING/ ..."

95/28/85

1900 - 1960

40 mm

35 mm