This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art, and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Ralph Pattison. Eventually the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council. His huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower area of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine, and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave during 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. Eugene de Beauharnais The Adopted son of Napoleon Author: Violette M.Montagu Publuisher: John Long Ltd Date: 1913Label on spine cover with typed text PAT 920 DEB Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library Front loose endpaper has a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Servicewarrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, great ocean road, eugene de beauharnais, violette m.montagu

Document: Brown cardboard tied with string with Napoleon Reef Accounts written in pencil on front, no outstanding accounts inbetween cardboard.organization, business, industrial - mining, mccoll rankin & stanistreet, mining, gold mining, napoleon reef

As part of the Sarah Coventry collection, the scarf ring has local significance with the decentralised commercial development of regional centres such as Wodonga in NE Victoria, as well as national and international significance from the perspective of social and economic developments for women after World War II. The direct selling party-plan business model Sarah Coventry was based on is also considered the first of its kind for jewellery.Silver toned Empereur Napoleon Scarf Ring from the Sarah Coventry Jewellery Collection c. 1970s-1980s. Features depiction of Napoleon III on two of the shiny coins, who was the first President of France from 1848 to 1852 and Emperor of the French from 1852 to 1870. The third pictures a stylised lion. No makers markssarah coventry, jewellery, wodonga, costume jewellery, vintage fashion jewellery, scarf, scarf ring, scarves

Document: Letter to McColl, Rankin & Stanistreet from South Costerfield Antimony and Gold Mining Company No Liability, a thank you letter for the terms and conditions for borrowing Central Napoleon's Crushing Battery, South Costerfield Company accepts terms, document was found in the back of the Central Napoleon Co N.L minutes book no 2 now numbered 2205.712a.organization, business, industry - mining, mccoll rankin & stanistreet, mining, gold mining, central napoleon

Document: 4 copies of plan of Transverse Section of Napoleon Anticline Lease no 10970, plan shows proposed shaft location and depth (1000 ft), for Napoleon Reef Gold Mining Co, also location and depth of adjacent Central Nell Gwynne Shaft scale 100ft = 1 inch, Prepared by J.J. Caldwell Mines Dept Bendigo.organization, business, industrial - mining, mccoll rankin & stanistreet, mining, gold mining, napoleon reef

Document: Bank account book for 'Central Napoleon Gold Mining Co N.L.', with 'The English Scottish & Austrlian Bank Ltd', Green Cloth cover lable glued on front, not quite half full, Markings: Handwriting: 'Central Napoleon Gold Mining Co N.L', Print: 'In account current with The English Scottish & Australian Bank Ltd'.organization, business, industrial - mining, mccoll rankin & stanistreet, mining, gold mining, central napoleon

Eltham Gateway, View south from Napoleon StreetTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, eltham district historical society, main road, avenue of honour, eltham gateway

Document: Light weight cardboard cover, contents show the purchase of gold from Central Napoleon, weights, charges, value, and the date of purchase.organization, business, industrial - mining, mccoll rankin & stanistreet, mining, gold mining, central napoleon

Eltham Gateway, Intersection of Napoleon Street and Main Road, ElthamTomorrow's history documented todayeltham, jim connor collection, eltham district historical society, main road, avenue of honour, eltham gateway, napoleon street

A book titled 'The Life of Napoleon Emperor of France. The greatest of modern conquerors; offspring and subduer of a revolution; soldier, statesman, emperor and exile.' London : Ward, Lock & Co., Sallisbury Square, E.C. 17 - 32 pgs. This booklet is one of a series of 53 ' Ward & Lock's Penny Books for the People.' 'Biographical Series.' Price one penny. There are also advertisements of note.books, biography, napoleon emperor of france, lydia chancellor, collection, famous people, person, individual, male, france, french history, history, napoleon, the life of napoleon, war, soldier, ' ward & lock's penny biographies, ward & lock's penny books for the people, biographical series, biographies, penny books, advertisements

Document: Letter to McColl, Rankin & Stanistreet from New Chum Syncline Gold Mine No Liability acknowledging the receipt of a letter informing of the acquisition of a battery from Central Napoleon Gold Mining Co, Letter passed on to Directors, also acknowledging a desire to hear a report on repairs as it proceeds, Document was found in the Central Napoleon Co's Minute book No 2 item numbered 2205.712a.organization, business, industry - mining, mccoll rankin & stanistreet, mining, gold mining, central napoleon

Documents: Napoleon Reefs Machinery File, Loop Cobra Binder Folder containing: Quotes for contracts and machinery Supply (both typed & handwritten) From various Contractors/Suppliers (See attached PDF File for list), plus Boiler Certificate, Hire Purchase agreement, Auction Catalogue, Markings read 'Napoleon Reefs Machinery File' written in pencil on cover of file.organization, business, industrial - mining, mccoll rankin & stanistreet, mining, gold mining, napoleon reef

colour photograph. View of poppet head, Prince ofWales Mine, Napoleon Reef. On back in lead pencil ' Prince of Wales' See also 2000. 169.01unknownorganization, business, prince of wales mine

Document: Letter to Mr J Stanistreet from Saunders & Russ Machinery and Building Contractors requesting to purchase two lengths of H girder 10 x 5 that are laying unused at the back of Central Napoleon's Battery for a sum of £20-0-0 per ton, document was found in the back of Central Napoleon GM N.L Minutes book number 2 which is now numbered 2205.712a.organization, business, industry - mining, mccoll rankin & stanistreet, mining, gold mining, central napoleon

Document: Unused receipt book for Central Napoleon Gold Mining Company, for monies being called on from shares, to be signed by J.J. Stanistreet Manager, and banked at Commenwealth Bank Chambers Charing Cross Bendigo, Blue binding, cardboard cover, crocodile skin design 2 sheets of carbon paper loose, Markings: 'Central Napoleon Gold Mining' label glued to bound edge.organization, business, industrial - mining, mccoll rankin & stanistreet, mining, gold mining, central napoleon

Document: Napoleon Reef Gold Mining Co List of Shareholders 30 November 1949, typed listing of all Shareholders and Share Holdings, Issue of 60000 shares.organization, business, industrial - mining, mccoll rankin & stanistreet, mining, gold mining, napoleon reef

Document. Blue/grey book with red binding. The English Scottish & Australian Bank Limited. North Virginia Gold Mining Co. Also 'Central Napoleon' written on the front cover.McColl, Rankin & Stanistreetorganization, business, north virginia gmc n l, mccoll, rankin & stanistreet, north virginia gmc n l, the english scottish & australian bank limited, gold mining, cheque book

Set of Index Cards prepared (white lined) containing information on various mines - North Hustlers, New Don, South Wattle Gully, Golden Age, Deborah United, South Nell Gwynne, Deborah Extended, Central Deborah, Forbes Carshalton, New Monument, Monument Hill Consolidated, North Virginia, North Deborah, Nell Gwynne Reef, Napoleon Reef, Central Napoleon, Central Nell Gwynne. McColl, Rankin & Stanistreet Collection.topic, mining, companies

Book; Hard cover (dark blue) paper pages containing cash payments to creditors. Central Napoleon Gold Mining Co N.L. written on stickers at top right of front cover.MCCOLL RANKIN STANISTREETorganisation, industry, accounting., mccoll rankin stanistreet

Four red and blue lined cashbook pages, Foolscap size, referring to the Napoleon Reef Gold Mining Company NL for uncollected 1st and final distribution of 7½ d. per share.gold, mining, share distritution, bendigo, gold mining, napoleon reef gold mining company.

Shows sections of Franklin, John and Napoleon streets were still unmade as of late 1996 and the condition of those roads with potholes at the intersections with Bible Street.Reflects on the changing nature of the local street-scape and housesRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, napoleon street, bible street, franklin street, john street

Shows sections of Franklin, John and Napoleon streets were still unmade as of late 1996 and the condition of those roads with potholes at the intersections with Bible Street.Reflects on the changing nature of the local street-scape and housesRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, napoleon street, bible street, franklin street, john street

Shows sections of Franklin, John and Napoleon streets were still unmade as of late 1996 and the condition of those roads with potholes at the intersections with Bible Street.Reflects on the changing nature of the local street-scape and housesRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, napoleon street, bible street, franklin street, john street

Shows sections of Franklin, John and Napoleon streets were still unmade as of late 1996 and the condition of those roads with potholes at the intersections with Bible Street.Reflects on the changing nature of the local street-scape and housesRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, napoleon street, bible street, franklin street, john street

Shows sections of Franklin, John and Napoleon streets were still unmade as of late 1996 and the condition of those roads with potholes at the intersections with Bible Street.Reflects on the changing nature of the local street-scape and housesRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, napoleon street, bible street, franklin street, john street

Shows sections of Franklin, John and Napoleon streets were still unmade as of late 1996 and the condition of those roads with potholes at the intersections with Bible Street.Reflects on the changing nature of the local street-scape and housesRoll of 35mm colour negative film, 7 stripsKodak Gold 100-5eltham, napoleon street, bible street, franklin street, john street