Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Social life & customs, Uncategorized:
What were the conditions like on the Trans-Siberian railway for women in the 1930s? Which American city was most like Melbourne in the 50s? And does anyone know what to wear to dinner when traveling first-class by ship? Learn about travel writing, but from a uniquely female perspective in the Travel Writing, Spectacle and World History database.
News, Our stories, Tips and tricks:
Our incredible Librarians have added more than 50 new posts to the State Library Victoria blog this year. But what posts were most beloved by our audience?
People & professions, Such was life:
The Jerilderie Letter is an 8,000 word document by the notorious outlaw Ned Kelly composed in 1879. In the Letter Kelly gives his interpretation of the crimes he was accused of and subsequently convicted for. The origins, content and legacy of this document are explored in this article along with the story of how State Library Victoria acquired this historic and unique document.
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.
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 ›
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.
On the eve of the Aussie Bird Count, explore some of the birds in our collections.
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.
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.
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.
Houdini remains one of the world’s most famous entertainers. He toured Australia in 1910, performing his feats of escapology in Melbourne and Sydney, diving into the Yarra handcuffed and chained, completing the first powered flight in Australia, and becoming embroiled in a dispute with world champion boxer Tommy Burns about the proprietorship of the milk can escape.
The Etkins collection consists of wonderful portraits of people and places throughout 19th century Victoria.
