Object numberM2015/005:010
DescriptionThis is a typed one-page letter from Gyula [Heitler, later: John Hilton] in Zurich to Sandor [Alexander] and his wife Lucie in Australia, on which Jolli [Jolana, Gyula's sister] has been added a handwritten letter on the back and front side. The letter is dated 13th July 1946.
John Hilton was one of Sydney’s most successful fashion manufacturers. His success in Australia had its roots in a small town near Bratislava, where the parents of Gyula Heitler depended on his help in their general store. Here he learned how to buy and sell. Arriving from Europe in 1947, Gyula changed his name to John J Hilton and worked for his sponsor Alexander ‘Gigi’ Schwarz at Olympia Fashions, a dress shop in Pitt Street. Together with his elder brother Emil he started a business manufacturing ladies knitwear.
Adopting the trading name, John J Hilton, they looked around for what Australia might not have in fashion and decided to focus on women in their mid-twenties and older, offering them elegant frocks at a fair price. The dresses would be durable and not likely to go out of fashion quickly. He made up a slogan ‘It’s a Honey, It’s a Hilton’. The business grew to 100 employees. With showrooms around Australia and representatives in Paris, New York and London, John J Hilton was one of the first to export Australian fashion to Japan, as well as to Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada and United States. A pioneer in the use of wool in women’s dresses, John J Hilton was the recipient of fashion awards, including the Australian Wool Award.
This letter is a part of a correspondence between Gyula [John], Emil [Gyula's brother] and Alexander [relative of Gyula and Emil, often referred to as Sandor], in order to settle Gyula and Emil over to Australia. Gyula announces his departure from Marseille to Australia by merchant vessel on 31th July 1946 and tells that Emil is still busy in Czechoslovakia but he is hoping to arrange for him to follow when settled down. Then there is a detailed account of all clothing items taking on journey and possible business agencies. Roszi is mentioned as well as Olly Georg, Jolly and Michel, Mr. Mandel of Sydney. In her letter, Jolli apologizes for not writing and states that she is feeling terribly lonely and hopeless. She mentions the better future for Emil and that in case she visites France she will see Hugo and Luszie.
On same page hand written letter, difficult to decipher, to Dear Lucie and Sandor from Jolly.
Apologizing for not writing, but Gyula writing instead………….. Feeling terribly lonely and without hope…mention of Imre…better future for Emil….hoping you will always support him….he is a good, golden…… it is difficult for me but hoping he will feel better with you than here.How are you keeping health wise ?
Should I be visiting France I will see Hugo and Luszi…….Hoping that Gyula will cope well on his trip, ..will accompany him right up to the ship.
John Hilton was one of Sydney’s most successful fashion manufacturers. His success in Australia had its roots in a small town near Bratislava, where the parents of Gyula Heitler depended on his help in their general store. Here he learned how to buy and sell. Arriving from Europe in 1947, Gyula changed his name to John J Hilton and worked for his sponsor Alexander ‘Gigi’ Schwarz at Olympia Fashions, a dress shop in Pitt Street. Together with his elder brother Emil he started a business manufacturing ladies knitwear.
Adopting the trading name, John J Hilton, they looked around for what Australia might not have in fashion and decided to focus on women in their mid-twenties and older, offering them elegant frocks at a fair price. The dresses would be durable and not likely to go out of fashion quickly. He made up a slogan ‘It’s a Honey, It’s a Hilton’. The business grew to 100 employees. With showrooms around Australia and representatives in Paris, New York and London, John J Hilton was one of the first to export Australian fashion to Japan, as well as to Singapore, Hong Kong, Canada and United States. A pioneer in the use of wool in women’s dresses, John J Hilton was the recipient of fashion awards, including the Australian Wool Award.
This letter is a part of a correspondence between Gyula [John], Emil [Gyula's brother] and Alexander [relative of Gyula and Emil, often referred to as Sandor], in order to settle Gyula and Emil over to Australia. Gyula announces his departure from Marseille to Australia by merchant vessel on 31th July 1946 and tells that Emil is still busy in Czechoslovakia but he is hoping to arrange for him to follow when settled down. Then there is a detailed account of all clothing items taking on journey and possible business agencies. Roszi is mentioned as well as Olly Georg, Jolly and Michel, Mr. Mandel of Sydney. In her letter, Jolli apologizes for not writing and states that she is feeling terribly lonely and hopeless. She mentions the better future for Emil and that in case she visites France she will see Hugo and Luszie.
On same page hand written letter, difficult to decipher, to Dear Lucie and Sandor from Jolly.
Apologizing for not writing, but Gyula writing instead………….. Feeling terribly lonely and without hope…mention of Imre…better future for Emil….hoping you will always support him….he is a good, golden…… it is difficult for me but hoping he will feel better with you than here.How are you keeping health wise ?
Should I be visiting France I will see Hugo and Luszi…….Hoping that Gyula will cope well on his trip, ..will accompany him right up to the ship.
Production placeZürich, Switzerland
Production date
Object nameletters
Dimensions
- width: 210.00 mm
height: 297.00 mm
Language
- German Needs to be translated.
Credit lineSydney Jewish Museum Collection, Donated by Jeffrey Hilton