State Library Victoria – Such was life

Online Collection Spotlight: Early English books online

September 19, 2025

Arts & literature, Collection spotlights:

Proquest’s Early English Books Online database features page images of almost every work printed in the British Isles and North America, as well as works in English printed elsewhere, from 1470-1700. More than 200 libraries worldwide have contributed to this comprehensive database, which covers literature, art, architecture, philosophy, religion, politics, history and linguistics. The collection has everything from the first book printed in English through to the ages of Spenser, Shakespeare and the English Civil War.

Recently digitised: playbills from the Coppin Collection

September 12, 2025

Collection, Digitisation, Performing Arts, Recently digitised, Social life & customs, Theatre:

George Selth Coppin, an indefatigable powerhouse, was responsible for much of the popular culture that entertained theatre going audiences in the second half of the 19th century. State Library Victoria has recently digitised more than 1200 theatre playbills from its comprehensive Coppin Collection – a highly significant archive of theatrical history.

‘Break up that cold!’ with historic Victorian winter tonics

July 29, 2025

Ask a librarian, Health, Such was life, Victorian history, Visual arts:

Let’s explore the advertising history of Victorian winter tonics that were promoted through captivating campaigns, featuring everything from racing cars to bombing planes and involving everyone from VFL footballers to Indian Maharajas!

Wikimedians-in-residence

July 25, 2025

People & professions, Victorian history:

The Library has hosted two Wikimedians this year as they worked on improving the visibility of Australian feminist activists, organisations, and movements.

‘Doing the Block’: promenade on Collins Street

June 27, 2025

Ask a librarian, Buildings & streets, Social life & customs, Victorian history:

‘The Block’ was a section of Collins street bounded by Elizabeth and Swanson streets. As early as the 1860s is was considered one of the primary places to see and be seen in the Melbourne CBD, but it reached its zenith during the economic boom years in the 1880s and 1890s. ‘Doing the Block’ was a common term to describe the endless promenading of Melbournians up and down Collins street, often dressed in their finest as they frequented the fashionable cafes, tea houses and shops

A short chronicle of the sorrows of George Edwards: poet, playwright, prisoner

June 20, 2025

People & professions, Victorian history:

‘A short chronicle of the sorrows of George Edwards’ is a unique set of papers in our manuscripts collection that documents the prison life and creative output of George Edwards, a prisoner at Pentridge Prison in the 1870s. His secret papers were wrapped in strips of prison sheets and wedged within the walls of the prison to avoid detection. Find out how they made their way to the State Library collection.

Detective Inspector Christie: Victoria’s master of disguise

June 6, 2025

Arts & literature, Ask a librarian, People & professions, Victorian history:

Detective Inspector John Christie was one of Victoria’s most well-known detectives. His use of disguises to catch opium smugglers, diamond thieves, moonshiners, and murderers saw him hailed as the Sherlock Holmes of Australia.

The last theatre on Bourke Street: an archival history of the Metro Nightclub and Palace Theatre

May 28, 2025

Arts & literature, Ask a librarian, Buildings & streets, Music, Performing Arts, Theatre, Victorian history:

Take a trip through the State Library archives to remember the many incarnations of the Metro Nightclub and Palace Theatre from 1854 until it closed its doors in May 2014.

Sherlock Holmes and spiritualism: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in Victoria

May 22, 2025

Arts & literature, People & professions, Victorian history:

Dust off your deerstalkers and polish your magnifying glasses! Today (22nd May) is Sherlock Holmes Day, where the world celebrates the birthday of this super-sleuth’s creator, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

Radical Acts

May 19, 2025

Our stories, Such was life:

Radical Acts is a project to address gender bias in Wikipedia and the Library’s records by improving the representation of Australian feminist activists and movements.

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Such was life