Mrs Judd Iva is the Albury-raised freelance curator of the exhibition and convinced several of Australia’s leading art deco collectors to lend valuable items for display at either the library-museum or art gallery.

TV presenter Professor Adrian Franklin, of ABC’s Collectors program, opened the exhibition during a glitzy and glamorous evening at the library-museum complete with jazz from the art deco era of the 20s to the 40s.

“It’s a wonderful exhibition, first class,” he told the 300 guests.

Many of them wore art deco clothing, furs and jewellery and several women had their hair in the period style.

Mayor Alice Glachan said it was an ambitious, ground-breaking project conceived by cultural service staff more than two years ago.

Mrs Judd Iva, 40, is a former Albury High School student and former international curator at the National Gallery of Victoria.

Her mother, Dawn, and stepfather, Alan Chapman, were there to soak up the rich atmosphere created by jewellery, motorcycles, posters, dresses, ceramic vases and more.

Among guests was Peter Sheridan, a Sydney dentist who has lent several Bakelite radios.

The most spectacular and largest item displayed at the library-museum is the rare Cord 810 Sportsman car made in Indiana in 1936, of special interest because it was first owned by aviator Amelia Earhart’s husband.

“It’s colour is Eleanor Blue, the colour of the dress worn by Eleanor Roosevelt at the inauguration of her husband Franklin as president of the US in 1933,’’ Mrs Judd Iva said.

“It belongs to a private Melbourne collector and I’ve been in it, it runs like a dream and is like riding on air.’’

Another spectacular section at the art gallery is a group of ceramic vases by Clarice Cliff.

Seven travel posters by artist James Northfield include images of Wangaratta and the snowfields.

It’s a Deco-dent display — Pulse