Souvenir of the Soldiers' Mascot. New Zealand, 12 April, 1917 [drop title reads: "The Little Bootmaker. Mascot of the Fifteenth. Marches over Rimutaka. Will Lawson in The Dominion."
Wellington: Whitcombe & Tombs, 1917. Slim string bound pamphlet, 20 pp. A little rubbed, very good condition. Scarce ephemeral souvenir of the Wellington Rifles, published to celebrate the mascot of the reinforcement divisions.
Mr F.V. Rutherford was a bootmaker in Featherston whose tireless enthusiasm for the boys of the 15th and 16th infantry reinforcements eventually won him the honour of becoming their mascot. It is not clear if Rutherford ever went to France, but he certainly raised morale during drill and training exercises.
This booklet reprints an article from the Dominion recording the unusual transformation of cobbler to mascot, followed by further tributes and one of Rutherford's marching songs. Three images capture the pugnacious charisma of the man - one being a portrait of Rutherford outside his cobbler's shack in Featherston, and another image depicts him at the head of the Fifteenth Reinforcements in May 1916.
The booklet was published three times, in each instance with the addition of further text. The first is dated 4 December 1916 and is a mere seven pages. This is followed by the example here offered for sale, dated 12 April 1917 and numbering 20 pages. The third and final printing is dated 1 September of the same year and has 22 pages. All examples are rare, with a small number of copies preserved in New Zealand institutional collections; namely the Alexander Turnbull library in Wellington, the Auckland public library, and the Kauri Museum in Matakohe. Item #3104
Price (AUD): $350.00