Sleeping Bag [Fairydown]
Maker and role
Arthur Ellis & Co Ltd, Manufacturer
Production date
Circa 1955
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Object detail
Accession number
2017.23.25
Maker
Production period
Description
Sleeping bag used by Derek Wright during Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition (1955-1958).
Khaki green coloured ripstop nylon, goose down sleeping bag with sewn chevron compartments and inwards facing metal zip partway down centre front. Two ties at bottom end of sleeping bag, and five ties behind top edge of sleeping bag.
Makers label on bottom left side "Fairy / DOWN SLEEPING BAG / "EVEREST" MODEL / ARTHUR ELLIS & CO. LTD, / DUNEDIN". Name label on inside centre back "Name / Size" with handwritten "DOUBLE INNER" in 'size' area.
Sleeping bag has been patched several times with khaki green patches. The sleeping bag was specifically designed for the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
Khaki green coloured ripstop nylon, goose down sleeping bag with sewn chevron compartments and inwards facing metal zip partway down centre front. Two ties at bottom end of sleeping bag, and five ties behind top edge of sleeping bag.
Makers label on bottom left side "Fairy / DOWN SLEEPING BAG / "EVEREST" MODEL / ARTHUR ELLIS & CO. LTD, / DUNEDIN". Name label on inside centre back "Name / Size" with handwritten "DOUBLE INNER" in 'size' area.
Sleeping bag has been patched several times with khaki green patches. The sleeping bag was specifically designed for the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition.
Brief History
This Fairydown 'Everest' sleeping bag was used by Derek Wright on the Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition in 1957-58.
Wright was a member of the New Zealand party led by Sir Edmund Hillary, which laid supply depots to support the final leg of Sir Vivian Fuchs' successful overland crossing of the continent. Wright was also one of the group who reached the South Pole on Ferguson tractors, the first expedition to do so in motorised vehicles.
Wright was a member of the New Zealand party led by Sir Edmund Hillary, which laid supply depots to support the final leg of Sir Vivian Fuchs' successful overland crossing of the continent. Wright was also one of the group who reached the South Pole on Ferguson tractors, the first expedition to do so in motorised vehicles.
Marks
Fairy / DOWN SLEEPING BAG / "EVEREST" MODEL / ARTHUR ELLIS & CO. LTD, / DUNEDIN Label
DOUBLE INNER Hand-written
Name / Size Label
DOUBLE INNER Hand-written
Name / Size Label
Media/Materials
Collection
Credit Line
Arthur Ellis & Co Ltd. Circa 1955. Sleeping Bag [Fairydown], 2017.23.25. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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Public comments
Thank you for sharing this.
- MOTAT Curatorial Research posted 3 years ago.
Yes, I bought a Fairydown sleeping bag in 1967 and still have it today, 2020. A unique feature is the unzip at the foot for warm nights.
- Doug Mecham posted 3 years ago.