This informally posed photo was taken in front of the old grandstand at Mortlake's recreation (football) oval. It shows 17 troopers in uniform, holding rifles. There are 7 horses, one trooper is mounted. All wear an early version of the slouch hat. An interested group of mainly boys and a few men, including a policeman, watch from the grandstand. Shows early preparation for national defence or conflict, at a local level. Britain had withdrawn its defence forces from the colonies in 1870, so the States had to provide their own. District defence groups were common at this time, meeting regularly for training. This un-named and un-dated photo appears to be a local (Mortlake) unit of the Victorian Mounted Rifles c. 1885,[A local expert on weaponry believes they are from the 'Victorian Rangers' judging from their rifles.] They were precursors of the Light Horse regiments of the Boer and First World Wars. Mortlake has its own Boer War Memorial (1902) in Mortlake Botanic Gardens. Rectangular sepia photograph on cardboard backinghorse, victorian, australian, australia, defence, war, rifles, memorial, mounted, light, mortlake, boer

Envelope fronts with stamps, addressed to Baron Ferdinand von Mueller. Upper image, 2 x 1penny yellow/brown Victoria Stamp Duty, postmarked at Melbourne on Sept 29, 1894. Lower image, 1 x 2 pence orange, South Australia, postmarked at Adelaide GPO on March 25 1900. Baron Ferdinand von Mueller (1825-1896) was born in Germany and migrated to Australia in 1847.He was the Victorian Government Botanist (from 1853) and Director of the Botanical Gardens (1857-1873). These envelopes and stamps are from correspondence addressed to him.Front of envelopes with address and postage stamps, enclosed in black stamp folder.ferdinand von mueller, postage stamps

Envelope fronts with stamps, addressed to Baron Ferdinand von Mueller. Upper image,1 x 1 penny brown/rose, Victoria Stamp Duty, postmarked at Melbourne on Feb 4, 1890. Middle image, 2 x 1penny yellow/brown, Victoria Stamp Duty, postmarked at Yackandandah on May 11, 1891. Lower image, 1 x 2 pence blue, New South Wales Postage stamp, postmarked at Sydney on April 14, 1885. Baron Ferdinand von Mueller (1825-1896) was born in Germany and migrated to Australia in 1847.He was the Victorian Government Botanist (from 1853) and Director of the Botanical Gardens (1857-1873). These envelopes and stamps are from correspondence addressed to him.Front of 3 envelopes with address and postage stamps, enclosed in black stamp folder.ferdinand von mueller, postage stamps

Envelope fronts with stamps, addressed to Baron Ferdinand von Mueller. Upper image, 1 x 1penny yellow/brown Victoria Stamp Duty, postmarked at Melbourne on April 27, 1892. 2nd image, 1 x 2 pence blue, New South Wales Postage stamp; postmark illegible. 3rd image, 2 x 2 pence red, New South Wales Postage stamp; postmark illegible. 4th image, 1 x 1 penny green Victoria, postmarked at Melbourne on December 8, 1882. 5th image, 1 x 2 pence mauve Victoria, postmarked at Melbourne on October 15, 1898. Lower image, 7 x 1d mauve Great Britain Postage and Inland Revenue stamps, 1 x ½ penny Great Britain orange Postage and Revenue stamp. Postmarked at London on December 2, 1891. Baron Ferdinand von Mueller (1825-1896) was born in Germany and migrated to Australia in 1847.He was the Victorian Government Botanist (from 1853) and Director of the Botanical Gardens (1857-1873). These envelopes and stamps are from correspondence addressed to him.Front of 6 envelopes with address and postage stamps, enclosed in black stamp folder.ferdinand von mueller, postage stamps

Envelope front with stamps, addressed to Baron Ferdinand von Mueller, and First Day Cover 1948. Upper image, 1 x 2 pence mauve Victoria, postmarked at Melbourne on February 2, 1885. Lower image, First Day Cover of Commemoration of Baron Ferdinand Von Mueller, Issued 13th September 1948; and addressed to Durban, Natal, Africa and postmarked at Lewisham NSW on 13th Sept 1948. Baron Ferdinand von Mueller (1825-1896) was born in Germany and migrated to Australia in 1847.He was the Victorian Government Botanist (from 1853) and Director of the Botanical Gardens (1857-1873). These envelopes and stamps are from correspondence addressed to him.Front of envelope with address and postage stamps, and one first day cover enclosed in black stamp folder.ferdinand von mueller, postage stamps, first day envelopes

These two important books are part of a series produced in the 1880s but they have widely-different content. One describes the natural history of the Parish of Selborne in the County of Hampshire in England. It was written by the British naturalist and ornithologist, Gilbert White and first published in 1789. Since that time it has been republished over 300 times right up to the present day. It is notable for its charm and simplicity and for its description of a pre-industrial England. The other is by the American author, Walt Whitman, first published in 1871. It is a major work of comparative politics and expounds on the influence of the Louisiana Purchase and the expansion of the American spirit and character. It also denounces the post-Civil War materialism that had spread at that time in America. These books are of interest because of their antiquarian nature but they are mostly of local Warrnambool interest because of their inscriptions. The books belonged to William Hugh McMahon (1862-1936). William McMahon commenced a legal practice in Warrnambool in 1894, firstly in Liebig Street and later in Kepler Street. He was a prominent lawyer in Warrnambool for 30 years and a staunch adherent of the Presbyterian Church. He and his family lived at ‘Glenrye’ at the corner of Ardlie Street and Botanic Road, a site where the St. John of God Hospital was later established. These two accompanying volumes are in the Camelot Series (1887 and 1888). They are hard cover books with red covers and two ornamental patterns on the front cover (stylized urn and fan shapes). The urn pattern is repeated on the spines. ‘The Natural History of Selborne’ has 366 pages (a Preface and Chapters on the Natural History of Selborne, a Naturalist’s Calendar and Observations on Various Branches of Natural History) and ‘Democratic Vistas’ has 175 pages (a Preface and 12 Chapters). The latter has the remains of a label stuck to the front cover. The handwriting on the inside first pages are in black ink.Book One: ‘W.H.McMahon, June 24th 1889, Warrnambool’ Book Two: ‘W.H.McMahon, Sept. 4th 1891, Warrnambool’ gilbert white, english natural history, walt whitman, american politics, william mcmahon, solicitor, warrnambool., warrnambool history

An early black and white photograph of "The Hermitage" at Narbethong in Victoria.An early black and white photograph of "The Hermitage" at Narbethong in Victoria. "The Hermitage" was built by photographer John William Lindt as a home and guesthouse in 1894. John Lindt had previously photographed the mountain scenery of the Black Spur and purchased 71 acres and subseqently built his home and guesthouse from where he continued his career. "The Hermitage had a garden designed by John Lindt's friend, Ferdinand von Mueller, who was at one stage the Director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. The garden featured New Guinea tree houses from which John Lindt made frequent panoramas of his property and the surrounding forest of towering mountain ash. Aged 81 Lindt died of heart failure during disastrous bushfires on 19 February 1926 at the Hermitage. He was survived by his wife Catherine who continued to run ‘The Hermitage’ guest house before she retired to the city.the hermitage, john william lindt, narbethong, victoria, black spur, ferdinand von mueller, melbourne botanic gardens, new guinea, catherine lindt

A digital copy of an early black and white photograph taken of "The Hermitage" in Narbethong in Victoria.A digital copy of an early black and white photograph taken of "The Hermitage" in Narbethong in Victoria. "The Hermitage" was built by photographer John William Lindt as a home and guesthouse in 1894. John Lindt had previously photographed the mountain scenery of the Black Spur and purchased 71 acres and subseqently built his home and guesthouse from where he continued his career. "The Hermitage had a garden designed by John Lindt's friend, Ferdinand von Mueller, who was at one stage the Director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. The garden featured New Guinea tree houses from which John Lindt made frequent panoramas of his property and the surrounding forest of towering mountain ash. Aged 81 Lindt died of heart failure during disastrous bushfires on 19 February 1926 at the Hermitage. He was survived by his wife Catherine who continued to run ‘The Hermitage’ guest house before she retired to the city.the hermitage, john william lindt, narbethong, victoria, black spur, ferdinand von mueller, melbourne botanic gardens, new guinea, catherine lindt

A digital copy of an early black and white photograph of the entrance gate to "The Hermitage" at Narbethong in Victoria.A digital copy of an early black and white photograph of the entrance gate to "The Hermitage" at Narbethong in Victoria. "The Hermitage" was built by photographer John William Lindt as a home and guesthouse in 1894. John Lindt had previously photographed the mountain scenery of the Black Spur and purchased 71 acres and subseqently built his home and guesthouse from where he continued his career. "The Hermitage had a garden designed by John Lindt's friend, Ferdinand von Mueller, who was at one stage the Director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. The garden featured New Guinea tree houses from which John Lindt made frequent panoramas of his property and the surrounding forest of towering mountain ash. Aged 81 Lindt died of heart failure during disastrous bushfires on 19 February 1926 at the Hermitage. He was survived by his wife Catherine who continued to run ‘The Hermitage’ guest house before she retired to the city. Visitors to the Hermitage alighted from horse-drawn vehicles and later motor coaches to enter the estate through the lich-gate in the background.the hermitage, john william lindt, narbethong, victoria, black spur, ferdinand von mueller, melbourne botanic gardens, new guinea, catherine lindt

An early black and white photograph taken at the entrance to "The Hermitage" in Narbethong in Victoria.An early black and white photograph taken at the entrance to "The Hermitage" in Narbethong in Victoria. "The Hermitage" was built by photographer John William Lindt as a home and guesthouse in 1894. John Lindt had previously photographed the mountain scenery of the Black Spur and purchased 71 acres and subseqently built his home and guesthouse from where he continued his career. "The Hermitage had a garden designed by John Lindt's friend, Ferdinand von Mueller, who was at one stage the Director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. The garden featured New Guinea tree houses from which John Lindt made frequent panoramas of his property and the surrounding forest of towering mountain ash. Aged 81 Lindt died of heart failure during disastrous bushfires on 19 February 1926 at the Hermitage. He was survived by his wife Catherine who continued to run ‘The Hermitage’ guest house before she retired to the city.the hermitage, john william lindt, narbethong, victoria, black spur, ferdinand von mueller, melbourne botanic gardens, new guinea, catherine lindt

An early black and white photograph taken near the entrance gatehouse to "The Hermitage" at Narbethong in Victoria.An early black and white photograph taken near the entrance gatehouse to "The Hermitage" at Narbethong in Victoria. "The Hermitage" was built by photographer John William Lindt as a home and guesthouse in 1894. John Lindt had previously photographed the mountain scenery of the Black Spur and purchased 71 acres and subseqently built his home and guesthouse from where he continued his career. "The Hermitage had a garden designed by John Lindt's friend, Ferdinand von Mueller, who was at one stage the Director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. The garden featured New Guinea tree houses from which John Lindt made frequent panoramas of his property and the surrounding forest of towering mountain ash. Aged 81 Lindt died of heart failure during disastrous bushfires on 19 February 1926 at the Hermitage. He was survived by his wife Catherine who continued to run ‘The Hermitage’ guest house before she retired to the city.the hermitage, john william lindt, narbethong, victoria, black spur, ferdinand von mueller, melbourne botanic gardens, new guinea, catherine lindt

An early black and white photograph taken near the entrance gatehouse to "The Hermitage" at Narbethong in Victoria.An early black and white photograph taken near the entrance gatehouse to "The Hermitage" at Narbethong in Victoria. "The Hermitage" was built by photographer John William Lindt as a home and guesthouse in 1894. John Lindt had previously photographed the mountain scenery of the Black Spur and purchased 71 acres and subseqently built his home and guesthouse from where he continued his career. "The Hermitage had a garden designed by John Lindt's friend, Ferdinand von Mueller, who was at one stage the Director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. The garden featured New Guinea tree houses from which John Lindt made frequent panoramas of his property and the surrounding forest of towering mountain ash. Aged 81 Lindt died of heart failure during disastrous bushfires on 19 February 1926 at the Hermitage. He was survived by his wife Catherine who continued to run ‘The Hermitage’ guest house before she retired to the city.the hermitage, john william lindt, narbethong, victoria, black spur, ferdinand von mueller, melbourne botanic gardens, new guinea, catherine lindt

A digital copy of an early colour tinted postcard of "The Hermitage" in Narbethong in Victoria.A digital copy of an early colour tinted postcard of "The Hermitage" in Narbethong in Victoria. "The Hermitage" was built by photographer John William Lindt as a home and guesthouse in 1894. John Lindt had previously photographed the mountain scenery of the Black Spur and purchased 71 acres and subseqently built his home and guesthouse from where he continued his career. "The Hermitage had a garden designed by John Lindt's friend, Ferdinand von Mueller, who was at one stage the Director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. The garden featured New Guinea tree houses from which John Lindt made frequent panoramas of his property and the surrounding forest of towering mountain ash. Aged 81 Lindt died of heart failure during disastrous bushfires on 19 February 1926 at the Hermitage. He was survived by his wife Catherine who continued to run ‘The Hermitage’ guest house before she retired to the city.the hermitage, john william lindt, narbethong, victoria, black spur, ferdinand von mueller, melbourne botanic gardens, new guinea, catherine lindt, winter

A digital copy of an early black and white postcard of "The Hermitage" at Narbethong in Victoria.A digital copy of an early black and white postcard of "The Hermitage" at Narbethong in Victoria. "The Hermitage" was built by photographer John William Lindt as a home and guesthouse in 1894. John Lindt had previously photographed the mountain scenery of the Black Spur and purchased 71 acres and subseqently built his home and guesthouse from where he continued his career. "The Hermitage had a garden designed by John Lindt's friend, Ferdinand von Mueller, who was at one stage the Director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. The garden featured New Guinea tree houses from which John Lindt made frequent panoramas of his property and the surrounding forest of towering mountain ash. Aged 81 Lindt died of heart failure during disastrous bushfires on 19 February 1926 at the Hermitage. He was survived by his wife Catherine who continued to run ‘The Hermitage’ guest house before she retired to the city.Sandringham South/ Feb. 15th. 03/ D.L./ Only to remind you that I am coming/ As-morrow morning early about 11.15 a.m./ Greetg you L Mthe hermitage, john william lindt, narbethong, victoria, black spur, ferdinand von mueller, melbourne botanic gardens, new guinea, catherine lindt, collotype

A digital copy of an early black and white postcard of "The Hermitage" at Narbethong in Victoria.A digital copy of an early black and white postcard of "The Hermitage" at Narbethong in Victoria. "The Hermitage" was built by photographer John William Lindt as a home and guesthouse in 1894. John Lindt had previously photographed the mountain scenery of the Black Spur and purchased 71 acres and subseqently built his home and guesthouse from where he continued his career. "The Hermitage had a garden designed by John Lindt's friend, Ferdinand von Mueller, who was at one stage the Director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. The garden featured New Guinea tree houses from which John Lindt made frequent panoramas of his property and the surrounding forest of towering mountain ash. Aged 81 Lindt died of heart failure during disastrous bushfires on 19 February 1926 at the Hermitage. He was survived by his wife Catherine who continued to run ‘The Hermitage’ guest house before she retired to the city."She couldnt be called/ plain, however."/ The affair at the Inn./ IS/ p 1 hh.the hermitage, john william lindt, narbethong, victoria, black spur, ferdinand von mueller, melbourne botanic gardens, new guinea, catherine lindt, collotype

A digital copy of a black and white photograph taken at the entrance to "The Hermitage" at Narbethong in Victoria.A digital copy of a black and white photograph taken at the entrance to "The Hermitage" at Narbethong in Victoria. "The Hermitage" was built by photographer John William Lindt as a home and guesthouse in 1894. John Lindt had previously photographed the mountain scenery of the Black Spur and purchased 71 acres and subseqently built his home and guesthouse from where he continued his career. "The Hermitage had a garden designed by John Lindt's friend, Ferdinand von Mueller, who was at one stage the Director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. The garden featured New Guinea tree houses from which John Lindt made frequent panoramas of his property and the surrounding forest of towering mountain ash. Aged 81 Lindt died of heart failure during disastrous bushfires on 19 February 1926 at the Hermitage. He was survived by his wife Catherine who continued to run ‘The Hermitage’ guest house before she retired to the city. In the early 1930s, Joan Anderson purchased the property, maintaining it as a guesthouse.Entrance to "The Hermitage",/ Black Spur, Narbethong, Victoria;/ Joan Anderson, proprietor (dau of/ J.T. Noble Anderson)./ Joan and "Jimmy", 1934the hermitage, john william lindt, narbethong, victoria, black spur, ferdinand von mueller, melbourne botanic gardens, new guinea, catherine lindt, joan anderson

A digital copy of a black and white photograph taken at the entrance to "The Hermitage" at Narbethong in Victoria.A digital copy of a black and white photograph taken at the entrance to "The Hermitage" at Narbethong in Victoria. "The Hermitage" was built by photographer John William Lindt as a home and guesthouse in 1894. John Lindt had previously photographed the mountain scenery of the Black Spur and purchased 71 acres and subseqently built his home and guesthouse from where he continued his career. "The Hermitage had a garden designed by John Lindt's friend, Ferdinand von Mueller, who was at one stage the Director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. The garden featured New Guinea tree houses from which John Lindt made frequent panoramas of his property and the surrounding forest of towering mountain ash. Aged 81 Lindt died of heart failure during disastrous bushfires on 19 February 1926 at the Hermitage. He was survived by his wife Catherine who continued to run ‘The Hermitage’ guest house before she retired to the city.the hermitage, john william lindt, narbethong, victoria, black spur, ferdinand von mueller, melbourne botanic gardens, new guinea, catherine lindt

A page on Lindt's Hermitage at Narbethong from a Broadbent's Official Guide.A page on Lindt's Hermitage at Narbethong from a Broadbent's Official Guide. "The Hermitage" was built by photographer John William Lindt as a home and guesthouse in 1894. John Lindt had previously photographed the mountain scenery of the Black Spur and purchased 71 acres and subseqently built his home and guesthouse from where he continued his career. "The Hermitage had a garden designed by John Lindt's friend, Ferdinand von Mueller, who was at one stage the Director of the Melbourne Botanic Gardens. The garden featured New Guinea tree houses from which John Lindt made frequent panoramas of his property and the surrounding forest of towering mountain ash. Aged 81 Lindt died of heart failure during disastrous bushfires on 19 February 1926 at the Hermitage. He was survived by his wife Catherine who continued to run ‘The Hermitage’ guest house before she retired to the city.the hermitage, john william lindt, narbethong, victoria, black spur, ferdinand von mueller, melbourne botanic gardens, new guinea, catherine lindt