Calendars keep well

Press, 30 May 1989, Page 13

Calendars keep well

In the course of writing this column I have enjoyed being shown an amazing variety of interesting collections, and have appreciated the willingness of their owners to share knowledge gained from their hobby. Recently I . visited the home of a Christchurch collector who, experiencing the regret we all share when discarding attractive but out-dated calendars, decided to collect them and she now has more than 200, the earliest dating from 1882. Looking ahead, she hopes to be able to exhibit a complete set, one for each year of the century, during the celebrations which will undoubtedly take place during the last days of 1999 and the first few days of the twentyfirst century.

She still needs calendars of 1903, 1904, and 1906. If any reader can supply one of these I would be happy to pass on the information to the collector.

Three main types of calendars have been developed through the ages: Lunar, based on the phases of the moon; Solar, based on what were then believed to be the movements of the sun; Lunisolar, measuring years by

the sun and months by the moon. Our present calendar is an adaptation of this.

The months are no longer lunar, but arranged to give us a tidy twelve months each year, though of varying length. An extra day every four years brings measurements of time a little closer to accuracy. It is derived from the Roman calendar, as revised by Julius Caesar. The inappropriate names of the last four months are due to the addition .of two extra months at the beginning of the year about 700 8.C., and the retention of the numerical names previously used for the last four months of the 10 month calendar.

We are also indebted to ancient Rome for the word Calendar, which is derived from Kalendae used to denote the first day of every month. As befitting the name of an object which, together with the clock, governs the routine of our lives, the word is unique. It is

the only Latin word using the letter “K” and having only a plural form.

One of the oldest calendars in existence is a Babylonian stone tablet recording the intervals between new moon and new moon during a 25month period from 103 to 101 B.C. Surely a reminder of what could be achieved by the application of knowledge gained by patient observation without the aid of computers. Our collections today must come from more recent times. But often they have historical significance, sometimes preserving the memory of an important local event or occasions of national rejoicing.

Times of sadness are not so often recorded in calendars, except for wars which also have dramatic impact. Royal visits are popular subjects, and one Salvation Army calendar of 1935 illustrates its record of community service with a picture of its maternity hospital where 500 babies had been born that year. In 1936 “The Press” did its best for the tourist industry with a picturesque view of the Southern Alps.

Ballantynes’ Calendar for 1911-1912 reminds us of the important role played by this firm in the history of our city. With its accompanying gift of several pieces of coloured blotting paper, it brings to mind the demise of this once so useful commodity, now completely redundant. The tiny 1912 calendar, described by its owner as “a mini gem” is an attractive forerunner of the many small pocket calendars in use now, while the Boer War Calendar may revive for many people memories of childhood visits to the homes of grandparents.

You will have to wait until 1999 to see the whole collection, but the earliest example is among those illustrated. It is in the form of a paper knife with its calendar figures so minute as to be difficult to distinguish with the naked eye, obviously a popular object in its day. The calendar featuring a photograph of Richard

Seddon reflects the political climate of 1907.

The one for 1910, printed on a porcelain plate, must surely have been reserved for very special customers. It was issued by W. M. Pattie, “Dealer in Groceries, Fruits, Shoes and ‘Notions’.” Most dramatic, perhaps, is the event illustrated on a calendar published by Turner Haulage, Ltd, of Geraldine, cartage contractors. It provides a list of all the ships of the New Zealand Shipping Company from 1873 to 1900 giving the dimensions of all — Rakaia, Waimate, Opawa, Piako and Turakina.

It also features an artist’s impression of the historic occasion when the sailing ship Turakina, encountering the Company’s steamer. Ruapehu at sea, succeeded in overhauling it at a speed of over 14

and a half knots. Who knows what further achievements may be recorded on the calendars from now until the year 2000!

I am sure this keen collector will not miss them whatever they are. Please remember to watch for any 1902, 1904, or 1906 calendars.

‘Calendars often have historical significance’

‘Wait until 1999 to see the whole collection’