Archive for 2023

The unsolved mystery of the ‘Pride of Australia’

The unsolved mystery of the ‘Pride of Australia’

November 3, 2023

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

In 1991, a seven-kilogram gold nugget was stolen from its display case in a daring raid on the Museum of Victoria. Speculation was rife that it was an inside job, but neither the thieves, nor the gold, were ever found.

Careful work for Howard Arkley’s ‘Casual Works’

Careful work for Howard Arkley’s ‘Casual Works’

November 1, 2023

Collection Care, Conservation:

State Library Victoria recently acquired 27 works on paper from Howard Arkley’s 1988 exhibition, Casual Works: Working Drawings, Source Material, Doodles, 1974-1987. This material forms part of a larger collection… Read More ›

‘Believe me to be your fellow laborer and friend’: The friendship between Redmond Barry and Augustus Tulk

‘Believe me to be your fellow laborer and friend’: The friendship between Redmond Barry and Augustus Tulk

October 24, 2023

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

Sir Redmond Barry and Augustus Tulk are significant figures in the story of our State Library, as the first President and Chief Librarian. But what was their relationship like? Their personal correspondence provides an insight.

National Bird Week: Some of our birds

National Bird Week: Some of our birds

October 16, 2023

Collection spotlights:

On the eve of the Aussie Bird Count, explore some of the birds in our collections.

Knitting, coding, and the stars: caring for a time-based media artwork in a library collection – Part 2

Knitting, coding, and the stars: caring for a time-based media artwork in a library collection – Part 2

October 9, 2023

Collection Care, Conservation, Preventive conservation:

Through a two-part blog, gain a behind-the-scenes insight into ‘Stargazing’, a contemporary multimedia artwork that was the centrepiece of the Library’s Handmade Universe exhibition. Learn about the process of preparing it for display, a preventive conservation treatment undertaken once the artwork was deinstalled, and considerations for its care and future access.

3D modelling for ‘Beyond the Book’, bringing rare books to life by photogrammetry technique

3D modelling for ‘Beyond the Book’, bringing rare books to life by photogrammetry technique

October 9, 2023

Digitisation, Rare Books & Arts:

Learn more about the meticulous and extensive photogrammetry work undertaken by the Library’s Digital Production team in preparation for the digital exhibition, Beyond the Book: A digital journey through the treasures of the Emmerson Collection.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow: ‘a lost masterpiece’

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow: ‘a lost masterpiece’

September 27, 2023

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

Last year marked the 75th anniversary of the publication in Melbourne of a novel compared by some to Leo Tolstoy’s ‘War and Peace’, and described as ‘a lost masterpiece’. The novel in question, ‘Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow’, was by M. Barnard Eldershaw, the pseudonym adopted by Marjorie Barnard (1897-1987) and Flora Eldershaw (1897-1956) in a remarkable literary partnership that produced novels, short stories, literary criticism, essays and lectures.

Online Collection Spotlight: British Library Newspapers (1732–1950)

Online Collection Spotlight: British Library Newspapers (1732–1950)

September 27, 2023

Collections:

The British Library Newspapers database (1732-1950) includes over 240 newspapers sourced from the British Library. Find out more about this incredible resource – the depth and scope of this collection being unparalleled.

Marcus Clarke: Literary Librarian

Marcus Clarke: Literary Librarian

September 27, 2023

Ask a librarian, Victorian history:

Marcus Clarke, author of the great convict novel, ‘For the Term of His Natural Life’, witty and provocative journalist, bohemian, and Librarian at our Library fitted much into his eventful but short life.

Victoria’s Intercolonial exhibition, 1866

Victoria’s Intercolonial exhibition, 1866

September 27, 2023

Social life & customs, Such was life, Victorian history:

The nineteenth century was the great age of exhibitions as industrialisation, colonialism and nationhood led to national and international display and celebration. In 1866 the Great Exhibition Hall was built behind Ian Potter Queen’s Hall to host the Intercolonial Exhibition.