From legend to icon
Ever since Phar Lap “came home” in 1933, Melburnians and visitors have flocked to see the legendary racehorse at the museum. Few now actually remember him racing, but he remains the museum’s number one drawcard and his fame still grows.
Museum Victoria originally hoped to exhibit Phar Lap’s skeleton, but it was promised to New Zealand’s Dominion Museum. Instead, our museum was given his mounted hide – the living image of the great champion.
The hide was predicted to last “a hundred years” – but thanks to the quality of the taxidermists’ work and Phar Lap’s enduring appeal, he will continue to draw crowds to Melbourne Museum far longer than that.
Selling the icon
Using a celebrity’s name and image to sell a product is commonplace today, but in 1930s Australia it was less so, particularly for an animal. Phar Lap’s popularity, in life and death, rivalled that of Dame Nellie Melba and Don Bradman. Because there were no licensing laws in those days, companies could attach his name to any product, even tobacco, without payment to his owners.
Since his death, Phar Lap’s name and image have been linked to all sorts of merchandise. Even the museum has benefitted from its favourite exhibit through the sale of souvenirs ranging from postcards to stubby holders.