Up • Desk Set • Bison • Maori Box
HIS DESK
Welcome to the Paul Harris Gallery in RI Center in Evanston. In this room
you will find a collection of souvenirs, gifts & other items acquired by
Paul Harris over many years. If you can help identify or supply more
information about any of them, or any others, please contact us at
www.historycomment.org
DESK
Desk from Australia 1935. Made of native Australian woods, the top is
decorated with a Rotary logo inlay, it was a gift from Australian Rotarians.
Presented to Paul Harris at the end of the Conference of Australian
Rotarians held in Melbourne 1935.
BOX.
On top of the Desk.
Maori box, 1935. Made of wood, it was a gift to Paul Harris from the
Rotary Club of Wellington, New Zealand and has an inscription and Rotary
logo inside the top. "To Paul Harris who through service has given us many
happy hours Wellington NZ 1935". According to Suzanne, the daughter of the
late Sir John Ilott, this box was most likely presented when Paul Harris and
his wife Jean were staying at the Ilott's home in Wellington in 1935.
DESK SET.
On top of the Desk.
Desk set made of polished natural wood includes a clock, calendar,
inkwell, pen and pen rest. It is inscribed:
"Presented to Paul P. Harris Founder of Rotary To Commemorate his
visit to the Rotary Club of North Sydney. (Aust.) 14-3-1935 Athol G.
Johnston, President S. McLean, Hon. Secretary".
The following is an extract from the records of the Rotary Club of North
Sydney.
"On March 14, 1935 the club was honoured by a visit from Paul P
Harris, the founder of Rotary. The Rotary Club of North Sydney was
the first club in Australia visited by him. Athol Johnston was the
President and it was due to his fore-sightedness and energy that
this came about. Paul Harris was presented with a mulgawood writing
set as a token of esteem, and a tangible memento of his visit. The
set graced his office table until his death in 1947.
STATUE.
On top of the Desk.
Bison statue with white marble base. "Presented To Paul P. Harris by the
Members of the Rotary Club of Winnipeg Canada (the Club that made Rotary
international) at their 5th Annual International Goodwill Meeting.
Commemorating the 24th Anniversary of the Founding of Rotary By Him, on FEB
23rd 1905 23-2-29". At the Goodwill Meeting in February 1929, Paul Harris
was the guest speaker. The 22nd such meeting was held in 2006 and the event
is now supported by all 9 Winnipeg Clubs.
STATUE.
On top of the Desk.
Bison statue with black marble base. "Paul Harris from the Rotary Club of
Calgary Alberta [Canada] Feb 27, 1923". . [Bison has a broken leg.]
The origin of this is currently something of a mystery. The Red Deer
Rotary Club was chartered February 23, 1923, four days before the date of
this gift. However there seems to be no record of Harris attending either
the new club or the original Calgary Club. But, in the year 1922/1923. R. Jeffery Lydiatt, a member of the Calgary Club served as a Director of RI
.and it seems probable that it was Lydiatt who presented Harris with this
gift as a souvenir from his club,
CANE.
Walking cane made of wood with a curved handle. Inscription is on the
band.
"Presented to Paul P. Harris as a token of esteem & affection from the
Rotary Club of Essendon Victoria Australia 19-4-45". [Handle is broken.]
On the occasion of the 77th birthday of the Founder of Rotary, Paul
Harris, the club sent a congratulatory cable and a figured Blackwood walking
stick to arrive in time for the happy event. This handsome present from the
club to President Emeritus, Paul was cut from the same block and the replica
of a similar stick sent to Winston Churchill. Through some vagary of the
mails no acknowledgement was received of the receipt of this gift. Following
the demise of our founder, it was noted in a picture of Paul Harris', study
preserved at Evanston, that a walking stick was hanging on a hall stand
which answered the description of the gift and was recognized by Past
President Jim Le Ray. This was confirmed by Governor Nominee, Joe Bradbury
on his visit to Rotary Headquarters, Evanston. In addition to inscription on
the gold band beneath the handle, the walking stick was easily recognised as
the one handed around the club for inspection by members, before despatch to
the United States.
In March 2006 this item was missing from the Gallery and has not yet been
located.
PITCHER.
On top of the Desk.
Water pitcher, made of white ceramic, has decoration in silver. "Silver
Jubilee of Rotary 1930" Bottom reads "Designed & Produced by Grays Pottery
Hanley England This is No 98 of a signed and limited edition [signature] A.
E. Gray". The jug is 7.5 inches high.
To celebrate Rotary's Silver Jubilee in 1930, Edward Gray designed and
produced this commemorative jug, printed in silver on a cream base, with the
Founder's portrait and 'landmarks in Rotary' on one side, and six flags and
a list of the countries in which Rotary Clubs had been established on the
other. Edward Grey had been a founder member of the Stoke on Trent Club in
1927, and was the Managing Director of the pottery company bearing his name.
It is not known how many were produced but this jug, of a 'Limited Edition',
is numbered 98; the Stoke Club has two, including no.232, and there is
another at Taradale, New Zealand, no.205. There is a second jug in Evanston
and another was sent to Paris.
Further copies of this jug were made and are inscribed with the name of
F.W.Langley, the club President in 1942.
