BrandNet Archive Edition | The First & Last Army Centenary Montage

A Special Release from the BrandNet Archives

For more than two decades, BrandNet has retained selected numbered pieces from many of our limited-edition collections. These Archive Editions include significant and desirable numbers deliberately set aside when the collections were originally released - pieces that have remained within the BrandNet Archives, in some cases for many years.

Now, for the first time, selected Archive Editions are being made available to collectors. Each number is offered individually and priced according to its significance and rarity, giving you the opportunity to choose the exact numbered edition you would like to own.

Select your preferred Archive Edition from the available numbers above. Once a particular number is sold, it leaves the BrandNet Archives and will not be available again.

Where the Edition Begins and Where It Ends

These two montages bookend the entire Australian Army Centenary edition: #0001, the first numbered example, and #2001, the final numbered example. Both were retained from the original 2001 project and have been physically sighted and confirmed in the BrandNet Archives.

Both works are unsigned. Their significance comes from their place in the edition itself, as the natural pair that opens and closes the 2,001-piece Army Centenary issue.

About the Army Centenary Montage

Created for the Australian Army's centenary in 2001, the montage is a handcrafted, three-dimensional visual history of 100 years of Army service. It covers the Boer War, both world wars, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, peacekeeping and East Timor. It combines painting, drawing, archival photography, reproduced documents, campaign ribbons and physical objects. The original information guide identifies 30 numbered features and 48 campaign ribbons.

Highlights of the composition include:

• A rifle cartridge case recovered from the battlefield at Hamel, France
• A ration-pack spoon, the Army's familiar "Fred", engraved with the montage's registered number and carrying the seal signed by Chief of Army LTGEN Peter Cosgrove
• A soldier of 2001 painted in oils by defence artist Jeff Isaacs, alongside the "ghosts" of earlier generations drawn in pen and ink by Monty Wedd
• A three-dimensional Australian flag made by Fiona Dempsey using paper-tole techniques
• Frank Crozier's painting of the beach at Anzac, the Changi Chapel, First World War Victoria Cross citations and the 1901 Commonwealth Gazette proclaiming the formation of the Australian Army
• 48 campaign ribbons tracing Australian operational service from the Queen's South Africa Medal through to INTERFET and the NATO Medal
• A gold plated plaque reading "The Australian Army 1901 - 2001 Ordinary people, extraordinary service"

The project was directed by retired Lieutenant Colonel Charles Reynolds. Lead design was by Stephen Rainey, who remains with BrandNet today as Head of Design. Historical advice, protocol and research were provided by Christopher Jobson, with further advice from the Army History Unit and ADF Honours and Awards. The original 2001 information sheet pledged 5% of proceeds to Legacy, and in 2002, $40,000 was presented to Legacy.

Edition Details

• Limited Edition: 2,001
• Available numbers: the first (#0001) and final (#2001) editions
• Unsigned
• Dimensions: 830mm x 984mmSPECIFICATIONS:
  • Limited Edition Release: 2001 Units