This photo shows Fitzroy entrepreneur Macpherson Robertson being welcomed home to his factory by some of his staff after returning from a trip to Europe in 1935. The startled look on the face of the man on the left hand side makes me think he is saying ‘what, they don’t have Freddo frogs in France?’
I admire millionaire polyamourists like Robertson for their lifestyle, especially if they are self-made, if not their business ethics or taste in partners (Richard Pratt). One must have something to aspire to. Unlike the censored ‘official’ biographies you’ll read in the Australian Dictionary of Biography, for example, the book MacRobertsonLand is far more honest about his personal life. And the moustache surely qualifies him as an icon to Fitzroy hipsters.
Courtesy of SLV / ID: H2003.101/273 / photographer: unknown / copyright: expired – image is in the public domain / c1935
29 February 2012 at 8:57 pm
Brilliant picture! I must get my hands on a copy of MacRobertsonLand. Uncensored biographies make much better reading…
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1 March 2012 at 10:37 am
Love this! great picture, look at that white suit! amazing
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