Such was life

What is Australia’s earliest surviving printed document?

What is Australia’s earliest surviving printed document?

November 23, 2012

Arts & literature, Such was life:

Australia’s earliest surviving printed document is a playbill which advertises a performance of the tragedy, Jane Shore, followed by a comic dance, The Wapping landlady and a farce, The miraculous… Read More ›

A marvellous mercantile map of Melbourne

A marvellous mercantile map of Melbourne

November 19, 2012

Cities & towns, Such was life:

The most complete popular & mercantile map of Melbourne, Victoria was produced by Frederick Proeschel in the early 1850s. Proeschel describes the map as ‘giving most useful information as to… Read More ›

The Argus newspaper in colour

The Argus newspaper in colour

November 13, 2012

Social life & customs, Such was life:

On Monday 28 July 1952, the Melbourne Argus became the first newspaper in the world to print a high-speed action news picture in full colour. In what was a technological… Read More ›

Diggers’ diaries

Diggers’ diaries

November 11, 2012

Such was life, War:

‘Well I have been to gay Paris and all I can say is it is wonderful…Melbourne is like the smallest of bush towns compared with it, wishing that dear old… Read More ›

Melbourne Cup facts

Melbourne Cup facts

November 5, 2012

Sport, Such was life:

Celebrate this race that stops a nation by learning some key Melbourne Cup facts.

The Biography Index

The Biography Index

October 18, 2012

People & professions, Such was life:

Have you been researching an elusive Victorian ancestor, only to get stuck when you try to find out more about their life? Are you looking for long-forgotten interviews with prominent… Read More ›

Welcome

Welcome

October 17, 2012

Such was life:

Welcome to the State Library of Victoria’s Such was life blog. Here we’ll explore both new and historic Library collections that relate to Australia’s past. We’ll showcase our favourite items,… Read More ›