Colour photograph of the dome of the Block Arcade.block arcade, dome, heritage, melbourne

Australian born Ithacan women enjoying shopping at the Block Arcade. Standing in the centre under the dome is Rita Varigos. In the foreground at shop entrance are the sisters Poppy Gabriel and Loula Kostos. A black and white photograph of shoppers in the Block Arcade in Melbourne.

Stella Long's millinery business was located in the Block Arcade Melbourne. She was one of the best known Melbourne milliners during the 1950s and 1960s.The Kew Historical Society’s fashion and design collection is comprised of costumes, hats, shoes and personal accessories. Many of these items were purchased or handmade in Victoria; some locally in Kew. The extensive hat collection comprises items dating from the 1860s to the 1970s. While most of the hats in the collection were created by milliners for women, there are a number of early and important men’s hats in the collection. The headwear collection is particularly significant in that it includes the work of notable Australian and international milliners.Pale pink silk circular hat bordered with darker pink satin, and crowned with pink feathers and a silk rose, all draped with pink net. The hat was retailed by Stella Long, 14 Block Arcade, Melbourne. Label: Original model from Stella Long. 14 Block Arcade Melb. 638507.milliners -- melbourne (vic. -- stella long, milliners -- stella long -- block arcade, women's clothing -- hats, headwear

The dress and accessories worn by Mrs Margaret Scully for her wedding. Following their engagement in 1956, her husband built their home of 67 years in Box Hill South.'Juliet' style stiffened headpiece and hatpin. Hair piece is covered in same material as used in the bridal gown. Hat pin has top covered in the same material.Lille Couturier Block Court 288 Collins Street, Melbourne.

Inscribed in black ink on reverse: 'Back - L-R Geoff Moir, Julian Gardner, John Fenton, Bert Middleton. Front L-R Randall Bell, John McLaren, Ian Spottiswood.'

In the years of Allan Doney’s photography, landmark buildings succumbed to fire, neglect and redevelopment. He photographed the grey sand hills from Bendigo’s mining past, the streetscapes, poppet heads, miners’ cottages, gracious homes with ornate verandahs, trams and much more. Above all, his photographs show how much of the city has survived from the 19th century – and how much has not. Through two decades of great change, Allan Doney was there to capture ways people interacted with it. Although he travelled to many other places in Northern Victoria and beyond in search of subjects for his art, he seemed to always return to Bendigo for inspiration.

Photograph shows cable saloon car number 290 with undercarriage among vegetation in a suburban house backyard. There is a pergola nearby and the house has a tiled roof. This is the backyard of cable tram enthusiast and historian, Alf Twentyman, who bought the retired trailer car in 1929 and placed it behind his house as a sewing room for his wife and a playroom for their children. Over the years he purchased more cable trams, storing them in his backyard, repairing and painting them and loaning them for exhibitions. Alf’s tramway knowledge and preservation work have contributed much to today’s understanding of Melbourne's earliest tramway network. Alf's grandfather, architect Edward Twentyman, designed the cable tram company's head office at 673 Bourke Street, Melbourne and many cable tram buildings. He also designed prominent homes, hotels and the prestigious Block Arcade in Collins Street.Yields information about use of retired cable tram cars and Alf Twentyman. Black and white photograph with note on rear. On rear in ink: "Kodak Print 17"cable saloon car, number 290, undercarriage, suburban house, backyard, historian, alf twentyman, 1929, earliest tramway network, sewing room, edward twentyman, head office, block arcade

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries.ballarat, sturt, town hall, block arcade, doveton, dawson

This photograph is from the Max Harris Collection held by the Ballaraat Mechanics' Institute. Please contact BMI for all print and usage inquiries.ballarat, sturt, cars, block arcade, coles

One of 11 similarly presented b/w half portrait photographs showing various councillors within Glen Eira City Council. Copyright for this image is unknown, although likely commissioned by Council. It has been digitised and published here for educational and research purposes. If you believe that you have copyright to this image and would like it removed from the site please contact us through the 'Leave a Comment' tab below. B/w portrait photograph of Cr Emil Braun wearing glassses, a light grey suit, white shirt and dark tie.Handwritten on verso in black ink pen: "Cr Emil Braun" and below written in black pen and crossed out with blue pen "Elected 23/6/84" Sticker with red ink print in lower corner, lhs: "VAN DER TOORREN / Block Arcade Studios / 4th Floor, Block Arcade, 282 Collins St. 03 - 8648 / DATE..............REF................."

Woman's grey felt hat with felt bow and feather trim. Has a string to hold in place when worn. Label reads "Original model From Stella Long, 14 Block Arcade Melb 638507." c. 1950s. Owned by Mrs Jean Robinson.

Grey felt hat with grey felt trim, hat elastic and comb fitted inside. Label inside the hat says "from original model. Stella Long, 14 Block Arcade Melbourne 654 8507". c. 1950s. Owned by Mrs Jean Robinson.

Probably used in the Ballarat School of Mines Chemisry Laboratories, at that time led by Professor Alfred Mica Smith, with lecturer Daniel Walker. From W. Watson & Sons, Block Arcade, MelbourneAn early model of a flashpoint apparatus, of mainly brass construction, heated by a spirit lamp. Complete with two mercury-in-glass tfermometers (50 degree to 70 degrees celcius x 1 degree, 10 degrees to 50 degrees celcius c 1 degree), and lamp-stand. Serial Number 1786.scientific instruments, chemistry, alfred mica smith, daniel walker, ballarat school of mines, w. watson & sons ltd, thermometer

Photo shows Ballarat No. 39 to Gardens via Drummond St North and No. 25 Grey St Sebastopol, in Sturt St. A lady is boarding the tram and others are waiting on the seats. In the background is the Town Hall, Myer, and the Block Arcade. Photo mid 1950s.Yields information about tram services in Sturt St and trams 39 and 25.Negative - 127 film black and whitetramways, tramcars, sturt st, tram 39, tram 25

Photo shows the view looking east from Doveton St of the south side of Sturt St. Has bogie tram No. 15 in the view, westbound to the Gardens via Sturt St west picking up a large group of passengers. In the view are the Town Hall, Myer, Stansfield & Smith, the Block Arcade, and a Hatter and Tailor shop. Another tramcar can be seen in the view as well.Yields information about Sturt St, tram services and patronage.Postcard black and white, divided back, with a handwritten note on rear.In ink on the rear "Looking west from Doveton Street 1948" tramways, trams, sturt st, doveton st, tram 15

Digital image from the Wal Jack Ballarat Album of No. 15 at the intersection of Sturt and Doveton St with passengers boarding the tram. Tram has the destination of Gardens via Sturt St West, Murray Views No. 17 Postcard. Has Town Hall, Myer, Hoskins Stores?, Block Arcade, F. Gallagher and Stansfield and Smith buildings in the view. Copy of the original postcard also held. See image i2 for rear of photograph.Yields information about the early use of Ballarat's bogie trams and Sturt St through the medium of a postcard.Digital image of a postcard from an album compiled by Wal Jack, loaned to the Museum and an original postcard unused.Printed on rear - Real Photograph Produced in Australia by Murray Views, Gympie Q" and places for stamp, dividing line and word "postcard" on rear of copy - "Ballarat No. 15 (later ) in Sturt St, eastwards from Cnr" and Keith Kings stamp.trams, tramways, doveton st, bogie trams, lydiard st, tram 15

Thelma Kinleside Crawford is remembered for her wild flower designs for embroidery. After finishing 3 years studying art at Swinburne Technical College (her aim was to become a writer and illustrator of children's books) she was employed as a designer by Miss Hilda King of International Needlework. In 1939 Miss Crawford established a small shop on the 3rd floor of Block Arcade - well frequented through to 1960's by the women of Melbourne. In 1950 she ran a week long exhibition of her work at the Hotel South Australia in Adelaide. in 1954 a pale pink linen cloth embroidered by Miss Crawford was presented to the Queen by the YWCA now known as the 'Queen's Cloth". In October 1954 Woman's Day ran a feature of Miss Crawford's designs. In 1959 and 1960 displays were mounted at the Tasmanian Tourist Bureau. In 1960 she closed her Block Arcade shop and moved to the "Little Shop" in Croydon near her home. In 1968 she retired to the Brotherhood of St. Laurence homes in Lara. She died in 1985 and bequeathed all her designs to the Geelong Branch of the EGV. She was a foundation member of the EGV.Natural coloured linen luncheon mat worked with self coloured linen threads. Simple decoration of waratah flower head embroidered in each corner using surface stitchery and eyelet holes. The edge is buttonholed.embroidery, 1940-60, australia, surface stitchery, mats

The photo shows the view of the south side of Sturt Street from Dawson St looking east. The cross-over at this location can be seen in the bottom left-hand corner of the photograph. In the view are the Town Hall, Harry Davies store, the ABC Cafe and a sign for the Block Arcade. On the rear, Wal Jack in a note to Ken Magor has written: "From Dawson St. Xover on left connects "up" track, shunt only. 4-wheel tram at Dovetoin St. Date taken? about 1947-49".Yields information about Ballarat during the late 1940sPostcard black and white, divided back, with a handwritten note on rear.See image 2 for details of the handwritten note by Wal Jack on the rear. tramways, trams, sturt st, rose postcards, dawson st

This dress and bag belonged to Mrs Edith "Dot" Paroissien (nee Jackson, born 1916), who lived in Brighton with her husband David William Paroissien. The dress was purchased from Croyde, a Melbourne designer who had a small boutique shop in Collins Street near the Block Arcade, and the bag was bought for her in London by David. Dot recalled wearing the dress in the 1950s, in particular to a ball at the Royal Exhibition Buildings for Wesley College. She wore it with suede shoes with a medium heel with straps across the instep and long white kid gloves, and accessorised with a baguette choker and drop earrings.Black silk satin sleeveless full-length evening dress. The attached bodice floats over the top of the under-dress. Asymmetrical opening on bodice which features five large flat self-covered buttons. The black suede bag has chrome fittings and buttery cream coloured satin interior. .1 dress - Label, woven black on white acetate centre back: CROYDE / MELBOURNE .2 - bag - Label, printed, black on cream acetate, interior pocket: Susan / HANDBAGS / LONDON; Label, printed, copper on black metal, interior pocket: MADE IN ITALY / FOR SUSANevening dress, croyde, melbourne fashion, melbourne designers, handbag, royal exhibition building, 1950s, edith violetta paroissien, edith violetta jackson

Rose Series postcard No. P 4738, titled "Collins Street Melbourne", looking west from Swanston Street. Has several cable trams in the view, the nearest one having a destination of "Victoria Bridge" the second "Spring Street". There are adverts for Kodak on east wall of The Block Arcade; Glen's Piano & Music Warehouse promoting long established English Piano Brands of "Broadwood" and Hopkinson". The company may not have been trading at this location at the time of the photograph. A Tramways employee is standing in the safety zone. The Gas Street Lamp with a ladder leaning against it on the footpath still remains today. The photo dates from c1923 as both Temple Court and the integration of the Melbourne Stock Exchange building into the ES&A Bank further along Collins Street are in progress. Yields information about Collins St c1923Postcard - printed real photograph with Rose Stereograph Co. name on the rear.Has the Ken Magor stamp on the rear.trams, tramways, cable trams, collins st, rose series

In 1894 the Victorian Braille Writers Association was established in order to create a braille lending library. Such an endeavor also meant a need of space for storage. At first the library was accommodated in the home of Mrs May Harrison before moving to the home of Mrs Dickinson two years later. Eventually, with the help of donors, a space was rented in the Block Arcade to house the 1300+ volumes it held and the yearly increase produced by its braille transcribers. Fortunately in 1918 the Trustees of the Edward Wilson Estate provided 4000 pounds to pay for a new building in Commercial Road. Despite some misgivings from the RVIB at the time, this building was home to both braille volumes and talking books (albums and cassettes) for many years. In this picture, Tilly Aston is given the key to the building by Senator Fairbairn, on behalf of the Edward Wilson Trust.1 b/w photograph of people on a stageFree Lending Library for the Blind. Senator G. Fairbairn, on behalf of the Edward Wilson Trust, presenting the key of the building to Miss Aston, a Braille reader, representing the Braille Writer’s Association. 26th April 1919. (Label on mount board)victorian association of braille writers, tilly aston, george fairbairn, buildings

Yields information about Ballarat and its locations or environs late 1938.Pages 21,22,29 and 30 of the Centenary issue of the Ballarat Courier, 8/3/1938. Page 21 "When the World was Wide", photos, Ballaarat City Council of Centenary of settlement in the Ballarat district, year, and Sturt St. from Bridge St., possibly original photo of time. Ads. - Marks & Phillips, - Tailors and C.J.Coles. Page 22 - Towns that have a history - Learmonth, Clunes, Creswick and Buninyong. Photos - Learmonth, Clunes and Forestry school Creswick. Ads - State Savings Bank of Vic, Swanston Used Cars. Page 29 - Ballarat's historic Sports Grounds - origin and development, Eastern Oval incident, listing of nuggets found and quartz specimens. Ads for Prestige stockings, T&G Mutual Life and Fosters Lager. Photo of mine at No. 6 shaft on Band of Hope and Albion Consolidated. Page 30 - articles - Ballarat's sporting origins and swamp to reservoir (water supply). Photos of First England Cricket team to visit Ballarat and aqueduct at Kirks storage basin. Ads for Craig Bros, Pratts cash stores, Haymes paints and Ballarat Block Arcade - shops. Record reviewed and images of some of the pages added 10-9-2013trams, tramways, ballarat centenary celebrations, centenary, sports ground, water supply

Present-day Commercial Place looking towards Pryor Street and Luck Street beyond. Taken from near the Midway Arcade. The building front left is the toilet block that serviced Midway Arcade. Google Streetview https://maps.app.goo.gl/Vuwg7G9LWUVZ5Hn1A35mm Colour positive transparency Mount - Agfacolor Service (Blue stepped)carparks, commercial place, luck street, pryor street

Photographic record by Russ Haines, RDHS, in 2008.

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages. HISTORY:-- From Victorian Heritage Database citation for Labassa https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/278 as at (26/10/2020) Labassa, Caulfield is one of Melbourne's most lavishly decorated nineteenth century mansions. It resulted from the extensive remodelling in 1890, of an earlier house, known as Sylliott Hill, which was begun in 1862-3 for lawyer, Richard A. Billing. The land at the corner of Balaclava and Orrong Roads was first acquired in 1854 by William Lyall, transferred to his partner, John Mickle, in 1859, who also acquired the adjoining allotment in Balaclava Road, and the three allotments were conveyed to Billing. His first eight-roomed house was extended significantly in 1873 into a twenty-roomed house by architects Crouch and Wilson, who were possibly also responsible for the first house. This reflected Billing's success as a barrister, and he resided at this property until his death in 1882. In 1883 prominent Melbourne businessman, Alexander William Robertson, leased the Sylliott Hill property from Billing's widow, and in 1885 he purchased the adjoining allotment in Balaclava Road. He purchased the Billing's property in 1887 and renamed the 6.31 hectare property, Ontario. In 1889-90, Robertson commissioned the German born architect, John A. B. Koch, to extensively remodel the house into a thirty-five roomed mansion. The existing house was extended and altered, largely resulting in the nineteenth century mansion as it now appears. After Robertson's death in 1896, the house was tenanted until it was eventually sold to the mining millionaire, John Boyd Watson, in 1904. He renamed the property Labassa and carried out repair and re-decoration work to the house. In the early twentieth century, many large estates were subdivided into smaller allotments as the demand for land grew and it became difficult to maintain such large estates. After Watson's death in 1911, portions of the Labassa estate were offered for sale, with Mrs Watson retaining a 1.73 hectare portion containing the house. In 1913 forty-six allotments were auctioned at Labassa Estate, with the formation of Labassa Grove and Ontario Street to the east of the property. Labassa was first recorded as containing flats in 1923 and in the late 1920s, the owner, Robert Hannon, built a red brick block of flats adjacent to the house. Subdivision continued, until the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) purchased the house in 1980 and subsequently purchased adjoining sites, one to the south-east in 1984 (house demolished in 1988) and to the west in 1988. Labassa as it now stands is substantially as it appeared when Koch completed the work in 1890. The original two storey house was transformed into a French Renaissance style mansion, with the addition of a two level L-shaped arcaded verandah and two prominent terminating bays to the south and the east. The building is of unpainted cement render with dressed bluestone plinths, balustraded parapet and steep, slate covered, flat topped mansard roofs behind. A truncated conical roof is a feature of the south bay and a helmeted head is incorporated in the parapet over the east bay. The main south and east facades incorporate many cast cement details, including sculptures, elaborate cornices, swagged Corinthian columns and caryatid consoles flanking the entrance porch, as well as pink marble panels and imitation marble, or scagliola, on curved surfaces. At the rear of the building is a two storey wing and a single storey cottage, the former being connected to the main house by a tower. This section of the house was constructed in 1873. The estate at its peak included stables (1873), conservatory (probably 1890) and a tennis pavilion (probably 1890). All of these outbuildings survive, with the stables and conservatory being converted for residential use after 1922. Internally a range of decorative treatments remain from the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century, both from the Robertson and Watson periods of occupancy. These include wallpapers, ceiling decoration, chimney pieces, mouldings, joinery and decorative glass. From Victorian Heritage Database citation for H0135 Labassa 2/2A Manor Grove Caulfield North https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/278 as at (26/10/2020) HOW IS IT SIGNIFICANT? Labassa, Caulfield is of architectural, aesthetic and historical significance to the State of Victoria. WHY IS IT SIGNIFICANT? Labassa, Caulfield is of architectural significance as the most prominent example of a small number of houses built in Australia in the French Renaissance style. It is of further note due to the German interpretation of the style and the use of Hellenistic sources, via Germany. It is exceptional for its lavish treatment externally, including marble, scagliola, caryatids, swagged columns, mansard roofs and ornamental cresting. Labassa is of architectural significance as the most important surviving example of German architect, John Koch's domestic work. He undertook a large variety of work in Melbourne, including a number of houses, however Labassa is the most lavish example of his work. Labassa is of aesthetic significance for its outstanding assemblage of late nineteenth and early twentieth century European style interior decoration, which remain remarkably intact. These include a trompe l'oeil ceiling, painted ceilings, embossed imitation leather and other papers, chimney pieces, ceramic tilework, oak parquetry and stained glass, including a tripartite window by Ferguson and Urie, probably dating from the 1873 period. Labassa is of historical significance as an illustrative example of the wealth acquired by a number of prominent Victorian families in the second half of the 19th century. The early development of the property, Sylliott Hill, was due to the wealth acquired by Richard Billing, barrister and fifth Victorian to be appointed Queen's Counsel in 1878. The significant development in 1890 of Ontario, is illustrative of the wealth of Alexander Robertson, a partner in Cobb and Co., a director of Goldsborough Mort & Co., and a pastoral speculator. John B. Watson, whose father had acquired great wealth from the goldfields of Bendigo and subsequently invested in city and country properties, was the third resident to impact on the house, particularly the interiors. The Labassa estate is of historical significance as an illustrative example of the development that occurred in such suburbs as Caulfield in the 1880s due to the land boom, its proximity to Melbourne and the establishment of the Melbourne to Gippsland railway in 1879. It is also illustrative of an estate which succumbed to the pressures of subdividing in the early twentieth century, as properties became difficult to maintain and demand for land close to the city grew. It was typically divided into flats in the 1920s and was used as such for about sixty years. It is of historical significance for its associations with the remnants of the earlier estate which remain extant. These include the stables, conservatory (H2005) and tennis pavilion which all remain on separate sites. Also significant are the remains of early electrical wiring and fittings. Labassa was one of the first houses in Caulfield to be electrified and some of the original wires remain. [Online Data Upgrade Project 2004]Page 128 of Photograph Album with four photographs (two portrait and two landscape) of Labassa.Handwritten: "Labassa" 4 Manor Grove [top right] / Neg 232 8 Oct 1966 [under bottom right photo] / 128 [bottom right]trevor hart, bracketed eaves, slate roof, bay windows, decorative brackets, caulfield north, labassa, richard a. billing, balaclava road, orrong road, sylliott hill, william lyall, crouch and wilson, alexander william robertson, ontario, 1880's, john a. b. koch, mansion, john boyd watson, labassa grove, french renaissance style, l-shaped arcaded verandah, bluestone plinths, balustraded parapet, flat topped mansard roofs, conical roof, elaborate cornices, corinthian columns, caryatid consoles, marble panels, imitation marble, scagliola, tower, conservatory, stables, tennis pavilion, mouldings, decorative glass, caryatids, swagged columns, ornamental cresting, trompe l'oeil ceiling, embossed imitation leather, oak parquetry, stained glass, tripartite window, triple window, ferguson and urie, 1870's, flats, 1920's, electric wiring, 1860's, verandahs, curved windows, arched windows, italianate, terraces, gargoyles, ornamentation, ornate entrance, la bassa, manor grove, st kilda east, victorian, cast iron work, john koch, richard billing, architects, electrification, john mickle, land subdivision, mrs watson, labassa estate, robert hannon, national trust of australia (victoria), sculpture

This photograph is part of the Caulfield Historical Album 1972. This album was created in approximately 1972 as part of a project by the Caulfield Historical Society to assist in identifying buildings worthy of preservation. The album is related to a Survey the Caulfield Historical Society developed in collaboration with the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) and Caulfield City Council to identify historic buildings within the City of Caulfield that warranted the protection of a National Trust Classification. Principal photographer thought to be Trevor Hart, member of Caulfield Historical Society. Most photographs were taken between 1966-1972 with a small number of photographs being older and from unknown sources. All photographs are black and white except where stated, with 386 photographs over 198 pages. HISTORY:-- From Victorian Heritage Database citation for Labassa https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/278 as at (26/10/2020) Labassa, Caulfield is one of Melbourne's most lavishly decorated nineteenth century mansions. It resulted from the extensive remodelling in 1890, of an earlier house, known as Sylliott Hill, which was begun in 1862-3 for lawyer, Richard A. Billing. The land at the corner of Balaclava and Orrong Roads was first acquired in 1854 by William Lyall, transferred to his partner, John Mickle, in 1859, who also acquired the adjoining allotment in Balaclava Road, and the three allotments were conveyed to Billing. His first eight-roomed house was extended significantly in 1873 into a twenty-roomed house by architects Crouch and Wilson, who were possibly also responsible for the first house. This reflected Billing's success as a barrister, and he resided at this property until his death in 1882. In 1883 prominent Melbourne businessman, Alexander William Robertson, leased the Sylliott Hill property from Billing's widow, and in 1885 he purchased the adjoining allotment in Balaclava Road. He purchased the Billing's property in 1887 and renamed the 6.31 hectare property, Ontario. In 1889-90, Robertson commissioned the German born architect, John A. B. Koch, to extensively remodel the house into a thirty-five roomed mansion. The existing house was extended and altered, largely resulting in the nineteenth century mansion as it now appears. After Robertson's death in 1896, the house was tenanted until it was eventually sold to the mining millionaire, John Boyd Watson, in 1904. He renamed the property Labassa and carried out repair and re-decoration work to the house. In the early twentieth century, many large estates were subdivided into smaller allotments as the demand for land grew and it became difficult to maintain such large estates. After Watson's death in 1911, portions of the Labassa estate were offered for sale, with Mrs Watson retaining a 1.73 hectare portion containing the house. In 1913 forty-six allotments were auctioned at Labassa Estate, with the formation of Labassa Grove and Ontario Street to the east of the property. Labassa was first recorded as containing flats in 1923 and in the late 1920s, the owner, Robert Hannon, built a red brick block of flats adjacent to the house. Subdivision continued, until the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) purchased the house in 1980 and subsequently purchased adjoining sites, one to the south-east in 1984 (house demolished in 1988) and to the west in 1988. Labassa as it now stands is substantially as it appeared when Koch completed the work in 1890. The original two storey house was transformed into a French Renaissance style mansion, with the addition of a two level L-shaped arcaded verandah and two prominent terminating bays to the south and the east. The building is of unpainted cement render with dressed bluestone plinths, balustraded parapet and steep, slate covered, flat topped mansard roofs behind. A truncated conical roof is a feature of the south bay and a helmeted head is incorporated in the parapet over the east bay. The main south and east facades incorporate many cast cement details, including sculptures, elaborate cornices, swagged Corinthian columns and caryatid consoles flanking the entrance porch, as well as pink marble panels and imitation marble, or scagliola, on curved surfaces. At the rear of the building is a two storey wing and a single storey cottage, the former being connected to the main house by a tower. This section of the house was constructed in 1873. The estate at its peak included stables (1873), conservatory (probably 1890) and a tennis pavilion (probably 1890). All of these outbuildings survive, with the stables and conservatory being converted for residential use after 1922. Internally a range of decorative treatments remain from the late nineteenth century and the early twentieth century, both from the Robertson and Watson periods of occupancy. These include wallpapers, ceiling decoration, chimney pieces, mouldings, joinery and decorative glass.From Victorian Heritage Database citation for H0135 Labassa 2/2A Manor Grove Caulfield North https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/278 as at (26/10/2020) HOW IS IT SIGNIFICANT? Labassa, Caulfield is of architectural, aesthetic and historical significance to the State of Victoria. WHY IS IT SIGNIFICANT? Labassa, Caulfield is of architectural significance as the most prominent example of a small number of houses built in Australia in the French Renaissance style. It is of further note due to the German interpretation of the style and the use of Hellenistic sources, via Germany. It is exceptional for its lavish treatment externally, including marble, scagliola, caryatids, swagged columns, mansard roofs and ornamental cresting. Labassa is of architectural significance as the most important surviving example of German architect, John Koch's domestic work. He undertook a large variety of work in Melbourne, including a number of houses, however Labassa is the most lavish example of his work. Labassa is of aesthetic significance for its outstanding assemblage of late nineteenth and early twentieth century European style interior decoration, which remain remarkably intact. These include a trompe l'oeil ceiling, painted ceilings, embossed imitation leather and other papers, chimney pieces, ceramic tilework, oak parquetry and stained glass, including a tripartite window by Ferguson and Urie, probably dating from the 1873 period. Labassa is of historical significance as an illustrative example of the wealth acquired by a number of prominent Victorian families in the second half of the 19th century. The early development of the property, Sylliott Hill, was due to the wealth acquired by Richard Billing, barrister and fifth Victorian to be appointed Queen's Counsel in 1878. The significant development in 1890 of Ontario, is illustrative of the wealth of Alexander Robertson, a partner in Cobb and Co., a director of Goldsborough Mort & Co., and a pastoral speculator. John B. Watson, whose father had acquired great wealth from the goldfields of Bendigo and subsequently invested in city and country properties, was the third resident to impact on the house, particularly the interiors. The Labassa estate is of historical significance as an illustrative example of the development that occurred in such suburbs as Caulfield in the 1880s due to the land boom, its proximity to Melbourne and the establishment of the Melbourne to Gippsland railway in 1879. It is also illustrative of an estate which succumbed to the pressures of subdividing in the early twentieth century, as properties became difficult to maintain and demand for land close to the city grew. It was typically divided into flats in the 1920s and was used as such for about sixty years. It is of historical significance for its associations with the remnants of the earlier estate which remain extant. These include the stables, conservatory (H2005) and tennis pavilion which all remain on separate sites. Also significant are the remains of early electrical wiring and fittings. Labassa was one of the first houses in Caulfield to be electrified and some of the original wires remain. [Online Data Upgrade Project 2004]Page 129 of Photograph Album with three landscape photographs of Labassa. One of the photographs is of Labassa's drive and gates.Handwritten: 4 JUNE 1910 / SALE JUNE 28 1910 "LA BASSA' / "AUSTRALASIAN" FORMERLY "ONTARIO"/ RES OF JOHN B WATSON / 15 ACRES 3 ROADS [under bottom left photo] / 4 JUNE 1910 [under bottom right photo] / 129 [bottom left]trevor hart, bracketed eaves, intricate lacework, slate roof, bay windows, decorative brackets, caulfield north, labassa, richard a. billing, balaclava road, orrong road, sylliott hill, william lyall, crouch and wilson, alexander william robertson, ontario, 1880's, john a. b. koch, mansion, john boyd watson, labassa grove, french renaissance style, l-shaped arcaded verandah, bluestone plinths, balustraded parapet, flat topped mansard roofs, conical roof, elaborate cornices, corinthian columns, caryatid consoles, marble panels, imitation marble, scagliola, tower, conservatory, stables, tennis pavilion, mouldings, decorative glass, caryatids, swagged columns, ornamental cresting, trompe l'oeil ceiling, embossed imitation leather, oak parquetry, stained glass, tripartite window, triple window, ferguson and urie, 1870's, flats, 1920's, electric wiring, 1860's, verandahs, curved windows, arched windows, italianate, terraces, gargoyles, ornamentation, ornate entrance, la bassa, manor grove, st kilda east, gates, cast iron work, richard billing, architects, john koch, electrification, victorian style, drives, john mickle, land subdivision, mrs watson, labassa estate, robert hannon, national trust of australia (victoria), sculpture

Rose Series postcard P.955, titled "'The Block' - Collins Melbourne " looking east from Elizabeth Street. Has at least nine cable trams in the view, along with horse drawn vehicles and motor cars. Has signs for James Thelwell ladies Tailor and Lafayette. The verandah on the south side of Collins Street is part of the "Centreway Arcade" and building constructed in 1911-12.Yields information about Collins St, c1914.Postcard - printed real photograph with Rose Stereograph Co. name on the rear.Has the Ken Magor stamp on the rear.trams, tramways, cable trams, collins st, melbourne town hall, rose series

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Four miniature paper fish that have multicoloured stripes. Each fish has a piece of metal in its mouth. The other part of the game is two tiny wooden fishing rods with cotton attached to metal rods. The aim of the game is to attach a rod to a fish. The six items are stored in an orange and green patterned cardboard box that is probably not original.games, magnetic toys

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Zinga Zoo - small plastic musical toy in a cardboard box.Exterior of box - "Zinga Zoo Regd. The Packet Band. An R.M. Precision moulded product by Rose Morris & Co.Ltd. London England" Plastic toy - "Zinga Zoo Regd. The "Pocket Band" RM&Co L79 London"zinga zoo, rose morris & co., musical toys

The Kew Historical Society’s collection includes a wide range of leisure objects. Many of the items are European-made, generally of British origin, however there are a number that were made for the Australian market by Australian manufacturers. There were clearly a huge range of toys produced for the Australian and International children’s market in the Nineteenth and Twentieth centuries. The examples of toys in the collection include examples of alphabet toys, arcade toys, baby toys, construction toys, dolls, doll accessories, educational toys, soft toys, tin toys, toy animals, toy blocks, toy machines, toy typewriters, etc. Box of two dimensional animals cut from wood including deer, camels, horses etc. The box includes one intact paper hand coloured template of a horse and duck. On this item there is the number LXXVIII. All of the items are housed in a cardboard box produced by Walker Stores Pty Ltd, 471-5 Sydney Road Coburg. The box also states that there was a retail outlet at Glenferrie Station. Inscribed on the box is the name Mr Edward Smith, 16 Macartney Avenue, Kew. The box is not related to the contents apart from probably being used for long term storage.puzzles, toys