hair drier

Ralta hair drier, given to donor (then Julia Peoples) as a Christmas gift from her fiancee circa 1958. At the time Julia was living in Christchurch and was the eldest of ten children (6 girls and 4 boys). She was still at University and could never have afforded it herself, but her husband-to-be was a Civil Engineer with the Ministry of Works and was earning enough. Julia was the only one among her circle of friends who had a hair drier and when she first got it all her friends would come around to use it.

Julia and her fiancee married in 1960 - it was an Easter Bride wedding at Christchurch Cathedral - she wore an Isa Steele wedding gown, and later cut off the train and wore the dress for her graduation ball. About 18 others also wore their wedding dresses. The train was used toi make a pram set for her first baby.

The Ralta hair drier was used until circa 1970 when it was replaced with a blow drier.

Ralta hairdryer in original case; also contains headcover and brush attachment

.1: pink plastic Ralta hairdryer with long transparent tube; four settings: 'cool / low / medium / high'; plastic base screwed with four metal screws and has grit surface; silver label on base: RALTA LTD / WELLINGTON / TYPE HD65 / NO 32273

.2: pink and green floral head cover; has plastic ring at centre; lower half hemmed with elastic; upper half closes with pink drawstring; plastic fitting for attaching to hairdryer

.3: cream plastic brush attachment with four rows of nylon bristles and one row of plastic bristles; has Ralta logo on handle

.4: cream vinyl circular case with vinyl strap on outside; lined with grey/cream vinyl; closes with metal zip around circumference; cream webbing strap inside lid