Magazine  (2003)  Page(s) 39. Vol 25, No. 1.  
 
Billy West. The other, earlier, Australian 'Vanity'. In 1901, New South Welshman C.H. Halstead bred a pale yellow rose he named Vanity. We have a few brief descriptions of this rose from early New South Wales nursery catalogues, and from Australian publications of the 1920s and thereabouts. From these we find that Halstead's Vanity was a pale yellow rose that was buff yellow in the bud, sometimes with touches of carmine on the outer petals. It had only a few petals (the bloom was described as almost single) and so had no value as an exhibition rose, but it was clearly prized as a decorative garden rose and for the beauty of its long buds that made charming buttonhole roses. Some classified Vanity as a Hybrid Tea and some called it a Tea rose. Like the Australian Tea rose Penelope (Williams, Queensland, 1906), Vanity had to share its name with an English Hybrid Musk rose raised later by Pemberton. Pemberton's lovely rose pink Vanity, introduced in 1920, is still widely available but alas Halstead's Vanity is not. We have found no reference to it since 1931 but there is always the hope that it is preserved in old gardens. A healthy, vigorous, moderate-sized decorative garden rose with generous flushes of semi-single pale yellow blooms opening from long buds of great charm. It sounds like a rose that would find many admirers today. The Tea Rose Group have been searching but we have yet to find anything about the breeder (Peter, will you consider a second edition?), or an illustration of the rose. We checked the Australian Rose Annuals (first published in 1928) but no further information was unearthed, so we would very much like the opportunity to check any NSW Rose Society publications pre-dating the ARA annuals for references to Mr Halstead and his rose. If there is anyone who can help with news of Halstead, his Vanity or NSW Rose Society publications prior to 1930, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Newsletter  (1994)  Page(s) 16, Vol. 3, No. 3.  
 
Vanity. HT. 1901. Halstead, NSW.

Book  (1936)  Page(s) 723.  
 
Vanity (tea) Halstead 1911; canary-yellow, floriferous, continuous bloom, growth 6/10, bushy.

Book  (1931)  
 
p46 Editor [T. A. Stewart]. Roses of Australia. In 1901, Halstead of new South Wales, produced Vanity, a charming buttonhole Rose which is still very popular. The colour is a deep Nankeen yellow.

p50 1901. Vanity (H.T.). Halstead, N.S.W. – Deep Nankeen yellow, outer petals splashed with carmine; very long, pointed buds of good form. A charming buttonhole variety which retains its form when cut.

Book  (1928)  
 
p66 Vanity is a good rose of its type, giving almost single flowers of nankeen-yellow, splashed with carmine; the long pointed buds are attractive. It is a vigorous grower, and a good decorative variety.

p67 Vanity (Halstead)

p70 The twelve best [decoratives] were ....and Vanity (Halstead’s).

Website/Catalog  (1927)  Page(s) 57.  
 
Number 165 Vanity, (H.T.) Halstead, 1901.....

Book  (1927)  
 
p223. Light yellow Roses. Vanity. HT. 1901 (Halstead). Primrose-yellow with white eye; very attractive; tea-scented.

p247. Mr. C. H. Halstead fluked Vanity, a lemon-white semi-single decorative, worth a place anywhere.

p256. Roses for cold Climates. For the Monaro District: Vanity (vigorous, good buds).

Website/Catalog  (1925)  Page(s) 50.  
 
Number 103. Vanity (H.T.) Halstead. 3 [vigorous growers of moderate height, suitable for a 3rd row, and which generally require 4 ft of space] or 4 [ This section takes in all the tall, rampant growing, non-climbing sorts which must be placed in the back row] . A splendid decorative raised in 1901, but almost lost through inattention. Very long, pointed buds of nankeen yellow splashed carmine, opening to almost single blooms. Fine bronzy green foliage, and very vigorous growth. Unfortunately, a new variety has been given the same name in England recently but they are quite distinct. Placed 11th in the New South Wales Rose Society's list of best decorative Roses. Hobart, Melbourne, Mountains, Sydney.

Book  (1924)  
 
p123. Alister Clark. The Story of the Gigantea Hybrids. ....However, fully believing that the American Rose Society stands for the best in roses, come whence they may, I still hope that such sorts as the following may be given a trial in America: ....and 'Vanity', raised by Halstead of New South Wales, a charming yellow bud rose, mildew-proof and free, far ahead of many sent out from Europe of recent years.

p128. Harry H. Hazlewood. Australia's Favourite Roses. National Rose society of New South Wales - 1923 Selected Lists: Best Twelve Decorative Roses [include] 'Vanity' Halstead's. 30 votes

(17 Jun 1922)  Page(s) 17.  
 
IN THE GARDEN (By "FIVECORNER.")
For a good winter-bloomlng rose, try Rose d'Evain, [ ... ]. Another excellent rose for this time of year is Vanity, a light yellow, with a brighter coloring in the centre of the flower. It Is a splendid winter worker. While rather on the thin side for the show grower, it makes a beauty for the off season, when flowers are hard to find. Vanity is a true Australian. It was one of Mr. C. H. Halstead's creations. We have no better yellow for the cold season.