Production designer and art director Bernard Hides purchased this 1965 portable Astor Royal television from a second-hand dealer in Melbourne to dress the set for the TV series Sword of Honour in 1985, not realising it was a piece of Australian political history. Upon purchase, he questioned the lettering 'RGM' on the side of its cardboard box – the dealer confirmed it was from the parliamentary office of former prime minister Sir Robert Gordon Menzies. One can only imagine what Menzies watched on this set – news and current affairs, or a spot of Bandstand between parliamentary sessions?

After Sword of Honour wrapped, Hides feared the TV would be thrown away. He kept it safe in a furniture storage facility for 16 years while working in the USA before donating it to the NFSA in 2023.