Post Tagged with: "Melbourne history"

Melodrama in Miniature – the conservation treatment of model set pieces from the 1902 play ‘The Breaking of the Drought’

Melodrama in Miniature – the conservation treatment of model set pieces from the 1902 play ‘The Breaking of the Drought’

February 7, 2024

Collection Care, Conservation:

Theatre in early Melbourne was a vital part of community. Audiences were dazzled by the ambitious set designs of John Brunton, brought to the stage by Bland Holt’s immensely popular theatre company. Some model set pieces for plays such as The Breaking of the Drought have survived this whirlwind, finishing their journey within State Library Victoria’s walls. Careful conservation will allow this legacy to endure for many years to come.

Preserving the Saunders Family Archive

Preserving the Saunders Family Archive

June 27, 2023

Collection Care, Preservation, Preventive conservation:

The Saunders Family Archive offers an enticing glimpse into the ordinary lives of a working-class family in Melbourne from the early 20th century. Alongside papers and photographs sits an array of objects and textiles that were saved and reused many times over as was befitting of the times. In this blog, the Preservation team shares insights into the work involved in rehousing this extraordinary collection.

Reconstructing Brockhoff’s Crispette billboard – Part 3: Digitisation

Reconstructing Brockhoff’s Crispette billboard – Part 3: Digitisation

March 28, 2023

Collection Care, Conservation, Digitisation:

In part 3 of this series, which was inspired by the conservation treatment of an enormous biscuit billboard, join our Digital Production team as they share the finer details of this complex digitisation process.

Reconstructing Brockhoff’s Crispette billboard – Part 2: Conservation treatment

Reconstructing Brockhoff’s Crispette billboard – Part 2: Conservation treatment

March 28, 2023

Collection Care, Conservation:

In part 2 of this series, follow along as our paper conservators stabilise an enormous billboard for Brockhoff’s popular Crispette supper cracker.

Reconstructing Brockhoff’s Crispette billboard – Part 1: Brockhoff Biscuits and the perfect supper cracker

Reconstructing Brockhoff’s Crispette billboard – Part 1: Brockhoff Biscuits and the perfect supper cracker

March 28, 2023

Collection Care, Conservation, Digitisation:

In part 1 of this series, which was inspired by the conservation treatment of an enormous biscuit billboard, learn about Melbourne’s own Brockhoff Biscuits and their perfect supper cracker, the Crispette.

Evolution of the people’s forecourt

Evolution of the people’s forecourt

May 2, 2022

Ask a librarian, Our stories, Victorian history:

State Library Victoria was not always a popular venue for rallies, protests and public speakers in the Melbourne CBD. So when did it become the norm?

Humans of Melbourne, 1930s style

Humans of Melbourne, 1930s style

April 16, 2022

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Our stories, Victorian history:

The Library holds a set of images with a particularly intriguing name – Street characters: a series of photographs taken of Melbourne street personalities, about 1930. They are compelling snapshots of the social fabric of Melbourne at that time, images of characters long gone, likely long forgotten, their stories spent.

Searching through time: Melbourne newspaper card indexes

Searching through time: Melbourne newspaper card indexes

April 12, 2022

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights, Research tips:

The newspaper card indexes at State Library Victoria can provide vital clues when researching Melbourne’s not so distant past.

Journey through the collection: Ashton’s 19th century sketchbook

Journey through the collection: Ashton’s 19th century sketchbook

November 26, 2021

Collection spotlights, Victorian history, Visual arts:

A little sketchbook with a lot of stories. How did the newsworthy events of the 1880s go from pocket sketches to newspaper illustrations?

Mapping the city with Mahlstedt

Mapping the city with Mahlstedt

October 22, 2021

Ask a librarian, Collection spotlights:

The Mahlstedt Fire Insurance Plans show Melbourne’s CBD in precise detail. Learn how these incredible resources can be used to track changes to the city throughout the years.

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