"Brown's self interpreting Bible with numerous notes by the Rev Henry Cooke, DD, LLD. Reedited with additions by the Rev J L Porter DD" Editors preface dated 1873. Mary Hannah William Thomas married John Thomas at Sebastopol Congregation Church. John Brown (1722-1787) was a Scottish weaver who became a Presbyterian minister. Although self-educated, he prepared an annotated Bible, Bible dictionary and concordance, and a metrical version of the Psalms. His self-interpreting Bible appeared first in 1778 in Edinburgh and was reprinted many times. [Source: https://hbu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2018/06/Byrd-Collection-.pdf]Heavy dark brown dimpled leather covered bible with marbled endpapers, gilt page edges and many monochrome plates. The bible has a dedication plate inside the front cover.On spine "BROWN'S BIBLE" Plate: "A GIFT TO MISS MARY HANNAH WILLIAMS ON HER WEDDING DAY JANUARY 14TH, 1891, BY HER OLD SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER TIMOTHY THOMAS. "May the Lord protect her path"mary hannah williams, brown's bible, sebastopol congregational church

This item represents one of the most important spiritual references available to a settler in countryside Australia in the period 1800s to 1900s. This is the family bible and relates to the major religious beliefs of the early settlers who pioneered British/European colonial settlements. Although the first pages are missing the family name is written on the inside cover (J.A. Fleming). Most of these bibles (of this era) showed the family genealogical record of births, baptism and deaths, however this bible has the relevant pages missing. This bible would have provided the spiritual strength needed in bad times. Throughout this bible there are copies of specially commissioned lithographic engravings, each published between March 1812 to December 1813. These photographs were provided to visualise the theme of the each chapter.This item is significant because it shows that spiritualism of a small group (family in this case) is a vital part of the cohesive forces which holds a family(the basic subgroup of society) together, against all odds, and external pressures. It demonstrates that even in isolated or sparsely populated areas, the mores of a christian community is as strong as that of the cities. Mountains (Victorian Alps) have throughout the enlightened Ages been of extreme spiritual significance and this beholds those who live in this area.The families in the Kiewa Valley fall into the "isolated rural area" when this bible was first in use. This bible contains as its introduction,scripture history starting from 4004 BC "God created all things" to 2900 AD end of the World. There is a high degree of probability that this bible belonged to a member or members of the John Ambrose Flemming extended family who resided in the Kiewa Valley. J.A. Flemming (a famous English electrical engineer and physicist) invented the first diode in 1904). He and his family were devout Christians and he helped establish the Evolution Protest Movement.Leather bound bible. Leather in some areas is in tatters revealing the thick multi-layered cardboard backing. Front and back covers are held together by the thin leather binding. The lettering of the bible is large.Hand written inscriptions are in ink on the inside front cover, " J Tangam" at the top, "J A Fleming" underneath "Tangambalanga" and below that "1900". There are penciled dates "1937 1900" which have at one point in time been scribbled over in pencil. Although not marked on cover, the bible was known as "Brown's Bible" after the Author, the Rev. John Brown. Each of the major chapters is introduced by a copy of a lithographic print detailing the relevant religious picture and all are headed by "Brown's Superb Bible" and the date of the print. bible, rev. john brown, old and new testament, christianity

Brown's Self-Interpreting Family Bible. London: Blackie and Son 1862. A thick dark brown volume with a tiny embossed diamond shaped self-pattern on both covers. All edges of pages are gilt, The title, Holy Bible is printed in gold lettering at the top of the spine and it has five raised bands across it. The black and white decorative title page has Brown's Self-Interpreting Family Bible with many Additional notes, References and Readings, also Index of subjects printed at the top. Underneath in a semi-circle shape is a black ad white illustration of Ruth and Naomi, with publisher details below. The following Title Page has full details and explanations of the contents. There is a Publisher's Preface and Attestations to this Edition. Following this is a Memoir of The Rev. John Brown, closing with his final words upon his death on 19th June 1787. He was buried at Haddington Churchyard 24th June A.D. 1787, aged 65 years. Following this is an Introduction to the Right Understanding of the Oracles of God. There are many black and white plates included throughout the Bible. Pp. 1157 (Bible) At the back are many additional inclusions such as: Alphabetical Index, A Collection of Similies contained in the Scriptures, Complete Index, and Concise Dictionary, The Psalms of David in Metre, Translations and Paraphrases and more. There are missing pages of the Hymns. In all a most complex Bible for the family. Included are four loose pages with details of some of the Sebire Family Tree as noted in the Inscriptions section below. non-fictionA late Victorian family Bible— the beloved King James text, augmented by the late Revd John Brown of Haddington’s Comprehensive Bible study aids which was well bound. First published in 1611, the King James Version of the Bible has exercised an incalculable impact on piety, language and literature throughout the English-speaking world. "Other translations may engage the mind, but the King James Version is the Bible of the heart" (Campbell, 275). It is probably the text most commonly found in decorative family Bibles such as this one, which has several black and white plates. The Rev. John Brown of Haddington was "a tirelessly faithful pastor"—"For eight months of the year he delivered a lecture, two sermons, and an exercise each Sunday"—and also a prolific author. He is best remembered for his Self-Interpreting Bible, first published 1778, which became "as familiar in Presbyterian households as John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and Thomas Boston's Human Nature in its Fourfold State" (DNB). Without Apocrypha. There is a Separate New Testament title page dividing the bible. Opposite page 832 is The Family Register fully handwritten in black ink Old English script commencing with Peter Sebire born 14th June 1835 Sen Died 20th September 1902 (67 years). Many other entries are listed. bibles, religious books, religion, genealogical charts, genealogy, genealogical documents, family trees

Brown's Self-Interpreting Family Bible. London: John G. Murdoch, circa 1875. Thick folio, full dark brown morocco, beveled edges, all edges gilt, brass trim, clasps and catches. The title, Holy Bible is printed in an indented star shaped decorative surround, around the edges of the letters in the middle of the front cover. The spine has four bands across it with Holy Bible printed in gold lettering at the top. The beautifully coloured Title Page is very decorative all over with tan, pale green, dark green and white patterns. Opposite is a black and white plate depicting Moses in his basket in the bulrushes with his mother hiding behind him. There is a plain black and white title page too with full details, including publisher and other details. At the front, information about the Reverend John Brown is included over several pages as well as details of his Monument Inscription in Haddington Churchyard 19th June A.D. 1787, aged 65 years. Following this is an Introduction to the Right Understanding of the Oracles of God. There are many black and white, plus coloured plates included throughout the Bible. Pp. 1123 (Bible) At the back are many additional inclusions: Alphabetical Index, A Collection of names given to Jesus Christ and others, The Psalms of David in Metre, Hymns and Passages of Scripture Paraphrased. In all a most complex Bible for the family.non-fictionIllustrated late Victorian family Bible— the beloved King James text, augmented by the late Revd John Brown of Haddington’s comprehensive Bible study aids— with a total of 36 plates (25 in color) handsomely bound. First published in 1611, the King James Version of the Bible has exercised an incalculable impact on piety, language and literature throughout the English-speaking world. "Other translations may engage the mind, but the King James Version is the Bible of the heart" (Campbell, 275). It is probably the text most commonly found in decorative family Bibles such as this one, which has a total of 36 plates, including an engraved title page, a 12-page family register, the Lord's Prayer, two maps and nine other plates all printed in color. The Rev. John Brown of Haddington was "a tirelessly faithful pastor"—"For eight months of the year he delivered a lecture, two sermons, and an exercise each Sunday"—and also a prolific author. He is best remembered for his Self-Interpreting Bible, first published 1778, which became "as familiar in Presbyterian households as John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress and Thomas Boston's Human Nature in its Fourfold State" (DNB). Without Apocrypha. After page 302 at the end of the Old Testament is a highly colourful and decorative page of 'The Lord's Prayer' after which is a separate New Testament title page. bibles, religious books, religion

Large bible. Leather bound with brass clasps engraved with a decorative pattern. Gold decorations on front cover, on spine, and a gold decorative border on back cover with embossed pattern in centre. Cover bears words "THE HOLY SCRIPTURES WHICH-MAKE-WISE UNTO SALVATION", within a decorative pattern. Incised brass edges to front and back cover. Gold paint and hand-coloured decorative title page. (see Object File).bible, religion

Item carried by Malcolm Stuart Angus No 3112710.Small brown Bible, vinyl covered book with Australian army logo and title in gold."Presented to Cpl Angus by the Bible Society of Australia" "Exercise Northern Warrior 20th August 84 Chaplain Ted Brooker"books-religion, military equipment-new testament

Miss Annette Sebire 9/4/1917,Brown leather Bible with coloured paintings/pictures inside.bibles

Brown embossed leather bible.margaret mclean, gaelic bible

This is one of the few items that originated from the Schwerkolt Family. It belonged to Mrs Francisca Schwerkolt, Wilhelmina's daughter.Brown covered bible with 'Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge 1698' embossed on front.Mrs. F. Schwerkolt Mitchambooks, religion

Printed in French, in Amsterdam 1729. First Family entry 1731. Mr. B. Janes is great-grandson of Mrs. Henry Sebire (nee Rihoy). The Bible was restored by members of the Sebire family. It is understood to be 'rag' paper.Brown leather bound Family Bible."The Rihoy Family Bible 1732. This Bible has been restored by the 3rd and 4th Generation Descendants of Martha "Rihoy" Sebire 1835-1909. April 10, 1983 Law Bindery-Melbourne.religious books, bibles

The Bible belonged to Louisa Amelia Schwerkolt Deep Creek Rd. Mitcham 1907Schwerkolt family Louisa Amelia. Daughter of Louisa FrancescaSmall leather-bound bible, brown colour, gold Holy Bible on spine, gold edged pages. Dated 1847 Printed Oxford University Press. Bible verse card inside front cover.books, religion

MR SUTTON PURCHASED THIS AT A CLEARING SALE OF ITEMS FROM THE EBERHARD HOME IN FRASER STREET CLUNESBROWN LEATHER COVERED BIBLE WITH GOLD LETTERING AND TOOLING ON THE FRONT COVER, SPINE AND INSIDE COVERPRESENTED TO JUSTUS WILHELM THEODOR EBERHARD AND ELIZABETH PRICE ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR MARRIAGE SEPT 23RD 1873 INSCRIBED WITH MARRIAGE DATE AND SUBSEQUENT CHILDREN/OFFSPRINGholy bible, eberhard family

Brown leather bound bible. Rag-paper page. Family inscription page at beginning of New Testament.joshua black, western district families, family bible, religious text

Tooled brown leather pulpit bible with gilt text on the spine and gilt edged pages. There is a dedication pasted inside the front.rev david boyd, scots church heidelberg

Brown leather-bound bible. Old rag paper pages. Birth date inscriptions on a page in centre of book. (A photocopy is in the Supplementary file.)religious text, religion, bible, king james

Card within Bible from E. PARKINSON, 10 Brooke Crt. Bendigo (M: 041429946620) stating: "Bert WATSON was I believe despatch rider (motorbike) for Sir Thomas BLAMEY carried this bible through WWII. (Was a certificate from View St. Church of Christ)" The Nominal roll shows an Albert Searle Watson No VX1315 enlisted in the 2nd AIF on 26.10.1939 aged 27 years. At discharge from the Army on 4.3.1946 he was serving in 2/8th Field Coy with the rank of Sapper. Brown leather covered bible. Paper, printed and illustrated with colour plates. Page edges gilded; 1152 pages, gilded cross motif on cover.“92 GINGELL ST CASTLEMAINE ALBERT SERLE WATSON A.I.F. ARMY Number VX1315 2/2n FLD COY. R.A.E. & 80 L.A.D. Workshops All Coth Div. A.I.F.”books - religion, religion - christian, bible

A brown coloured pocket Bible belonging to Private Errol Noack. On the front cover reads RSV New Testament - Psalms and in the centre is an image of a Crown.A brown coloured pocket Bible belonging to Private Errol Noackbible, 5 rar, noack collection, noack, errol

Brown leather covered bible with 930 gilt edged pages. The spine has gilt embossed text. There is a dedication handwritten on the page opposite the title page."To the Victorian High Court from the Knights of Queensland. Interstate Rally 1950-51 3rd January, 1951"methodist order of knights

Percival Bird WETHERALL Regt No 6903 enlisted in the 19th reinforcements 23rd Bn on 13.1.1917 age 20 years. Prior to embarking he writes a letter to his CO asking for 5 days leave to get married and have a honey moon. Embarked for England 11.5.1917, embark for France 16.2.1918, WIA 22.3.1918 GSW shoulder severe and transferred to 1st Eastern General Hospital Cambridge, discharged to furlough 2.8.1918, embark for Aust 25.1.1919, hospital on board ship with Influenza and Cong (congealed?) Lungs, disembarked at Suez and hospitalised in 14th AGH on 8.2.1919, embark for Aust 1.4.1919 classed Debility, discharged from the AIF 6.6.1919 medically unfit.Small bible with brown cover. Front cover has "New Testament" written on it. Belonged to Percival B. Wetherall.6903 Pte. P.B. Wetherall 23rd Battalion A.I.F. Abroad 1917-1919, 1914-1918.books-religion-christian, new testament

Brown leather covered bible with 1505 gilt edged pages and 6 colour maps at the back. The spine has gilt embossed text. There is a dedication stuck inside the front of the bible."METHODIST ORDER OF KNIGHTS. Presented to the Provincial High Court of Victoria and Tasmania as an Expression of Esteem and Appreciation of the many courtesies shown during the Inter-Provincial Rally held in Melbourne December 1950 - January 51 for the South-Australian Delegation" " ? Beasley Knight Grand Commander"methodist order of knights

Heavily embossed and patterned in gold leaf bible with black and white plates and illustrations. Dedication page.On spine: "Holy Bible Brown's Notes" Dedication inside front cover: "This Bible was given by Mrs Ferguson to the Strath Creek Church when she left the district in 1901"

The bible is signed by the Moderator, Secretary and Moderators from 1979-2001Brown leather covered bible with 1377 gilt edged pages in a green box. The bible has green leather end papers. The spine, which is faded, has gilt embossed text. There is a dedication inside the bible."THE UNITING CHURCH IN AUSTRALIA. This bible was used at the first meeting of the SYNOD OF TASMANIA held in Launceston 28th-30th October, 1977.

Ida Brown shares photographs and information about the Richards-Angland family. Includes a copy of a page from the Woods family Bible. Ida Brown's family is describes in the oral history "Richards-Angland Family"A collection of photos and information about Ida Brown's family.Copies of photographs and part of family tree. 6 pages.Photographs are named.wood family, richard angland family, ida brown

This Bible belonged to Minnie Maud Middleton (d. 1958). She came from Framlingham, near Warrnambool. Miss Middleton’s parents, Hannah and Thomas, brought the Bible to Australia from England in the 1870s. The Bible, printed in 1816, contains a pencil drawing of the Roydon Church of England where the Middletons worshipped in England. This Bible is of interest as an example of a Bible that many families owned, treasured and read in times gone by and especially in the 19th century. It has local provenance.This is a Bible with a hard leather cover and the spine covering replaced at some stage. The front and back of the book are much rubbed and scored. The pages are numbered according to the sections and the font varies with two columns to each page. There are over 40 black and white illustrations (from engravings) and several pressed ferns. Some pages are damaged. There are four loose sheets. Brown’s Holy Bible printed 1816 Presented to G. Phillpot 80 Kelp St Warrnambool in 1953 by Miss M. Middleton of Bendigo, late of Framlingham. Was brought to Australia by Miss Middleton’s parents approx 80 years ago. The pencil drawing is of Roydon Church of England where Miss Middleton’s parents worshipped. Copy of ‘Willing Work’ dated Nov 3 1877 was found in the Bible. minnie maud middleton, framlingham, history of warrnambool, bible, roydon church of england

Badly worn brown leather covered bible. Coloured maps and plates, monochrome illustrations. Thirty large cartoons. The illustrated household commentary The Holy Bible. According to the Authorized version with the marginal readings and parallel references printed at length and the commentaries of Henry and Scott condensed by Rev. John McFarlane. Biblical dictionary by Rev John Eadie."The Holy Scriptures" in gilt on front cover.bibles

Black embossed leather covered bible with a metal fastening and gilt text. The end papers are brown marbled paper. The bible includes monochrome plates and coloured maps. There is a handwritten dedication label stuck inside the front cover signed by the Minister and Steward."Presented to Mr and Mrs A. G. Youngs by the members and friends of the Primitive Methodist Church Moonee Ponds Victoria as an expression of affectionate esteem and earnest good wishes on the occasion of their departure for England, August 1894. H. Bride Barker Minister William Halling Steward"primitive methodist church moonee ponds

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 from 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. WARRNAMBOOL MECHANICS’ INSTITUTE Warrnambool's Mechanics' Institute (or Institution as it was sometimes called) was one of the earliest in Victoria. On 17th October 1853, a meeting was held where it was resolved to request the Lieutenant Governor of the Colony to grant land for the erection of a Mechanics' Institutes building. A committee was formed at the meeting and Richard Osburne chaired the first meeting of this committee. The land on the North West corner of Banyan and Merri Streets was granted but there were no funds to erect the building. The Formal Rights of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute's encompassed its aims and these were officially adopted in1859; "This Institution has for its object the diffusion of literary, scientific, and other useful knowledge amongst its members, excluding all controversial subjects, religious or political. These objects are sought to be obtained by means of a circulating library, a reading room, the establishment of classes, debates, and the occasional delivery of lectures on natural and experimental philosophy, mechanics, astronomy, chemistry, natural history, literature, and the useful and ornamental arts, particularly those which have a more immediate reference to the colony." The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute opened its first reading room in November 1884 in the National School building at the corner of Banyan and Timor Streets. The Institute was funded by member subscription, payable on a quarterly, half-yearly or yearly basis. Samuel Hannaford, the Manager of the Warrnambool Bank of Australasia, was the first Honorary Secretary of the Mechanics' Institutes, and an early President and Vice-President. He also gave several of the early lectures in the Reading Room. Another early Secretary, Librarian and lecturer was Marmaduke Fisher, the teacher at the National School. Lecture topics included The Poets and Poetry of Ireland', 'The Birth and Development of the Earth', 'The Vertebrae - with Remarks on the pleasures resulting from the study of Natural History' and 'Architecture'. In 1856 the Reading Room was moved to James Hider's shop in Timor Street, and by 1864 it was located in the bookshop of Davies and Read. In the 1860's the Mechanics' Institute struggled as membership waned but in 1866, after a series of fundraising efforts, the committee was able to purchase land in Liebig Street, on a site then called Market Square, between the weighbridge and the fire station. A Mechanics' Institute building was opened at this site in August 1871. The following year four more rooms were added to the main Reading Room and in 1873 the Artisan School of Design was incorporated into the Institute. The same year Joseph Archibald established a Museum; however, it deteriorated when he was transferred to Bendigo in 1877. In 1880, with Archibald's return to Warrnambool, the Museum was re-established, and in 1885 a new building was built at the back of the Institute to accommodate the re-created School of Design, the Art Gallery and the Museum. In 1887 the Museum section was moved to the former courthouse in Timor Street (for some time the walls of the building formed part of the TAFE cafeteria but all is now demolished)). In 1911 the Museum was transferred back to the original building and the management of the Mechanics' Institute was handed over to the Warrnambool City Council. The Museum and Art Gallery became one and housed many fine works of art, and the Library continued to grow. The building was well patronised, with records showing that at the beginning of the 20th century there were between 500 and 800 visitors. During World War One the monthly figures were in the thousands, with 3,400 people visiting in January 1915. The Museum was a much - loved Institution in Warrnambool until the contents of the Museum and Art Gallery were removed to make room for the Warrnambool City Council Engineers' Department. The contents were stored but many of the items were scattered or lost. When the original building was demolished the site became occupied by the Civic Centre, which included the new City Library. (The library was temporarily located in the old Palais building in Koroit Street.) In the process of reorganisation the Collection was distributed amongst the community groups: -The new City Library took some of the historical books and some important documents, historic photographs and newspapers. -The Art Gallery kept the 19th Century art collection and some of the artefacts from the museum. -The Historical Society has some items -The State Museum has some items -Some items were destroyed -Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village has old newspapers, Government Gazettes, most of the Mechanics' Institute Library, ledgers and documents connected to the Mechanics' Institute Library, some framed and unframed artworks and some photographs. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute Library book collection is deemed to be of great importance because it is one of the few collections in an almost intact state, and many of the books are now very rare and of great value. WARRNAMBOOL PUBLIC LIBRARY The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) was formed by a voluntary community group in 1863, within six years of Warrnambool’s beginnings, and its Reading Room opened in 1854. The WMI operated until 1963, at which time it was one of the oldest Mechanics’ Institutes in Victoria. Mechanics’ Institutes offered important services to the public including libraries, reading rooms and places to display and store collections of all sorts such as curiosities and local historical relics. In 1886 a Museum and Fine Arts Gallery were added to the WMI and by the beginning of the 20th century, there was also a billiards room and a School of Art. By this time all Mechanics’ Institutes in country Victoria had museums attached. Over the years the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Library was also known as the Warrnambool Public Library the Warrnambool Library and the Free Library. Early funding from the government was for the “Free Library”. The inscription in a book “Science of Man” was for the “Warrnambool Public Library”, donated by Joseph Archibald in 1899. Another inscription in the book “Catalogue of Plants Under Cultivation in the Melbourne Botanic Gardens 1 & 2, 1883” was presented to the “Warrnambool Library” and signed by the author W.R. Guilfoyle. In 1903 the Warrnambool Public Library decided to add a Juvenile Department to library and stock it with hundreds of books suitable for youth. In 1905 the Public Library committee decided to update the collection of books and added 100 new novels plus arrangements for the latest novels to be included as soon as they were available in Victoria. In July 1911 the Warrnambool Council took over the management of the Public Library, Art Gallery, Museum and Mechanics’ Institute and planned to double the size of the then-current building. In 1953, when Mr R. Pattison was Public Librarian, the Warrnambool Public Library’s senior section 10,000 of the 13,000 books were fiction. The children’s section offered an additional 3,400 books. The library had the equivalent of one book per head of population and served around 33 per cent of the reading population. The collection of books was made up of around 60 per cent reference and 40 per cent fiction. The library was lending 400 books per day. In 1963 the Warrnambool City Council allocated the site of the Mechanics’ Institute building, which included the Public Library, Museum and Art Gallery, for the new Municipal Offices and the Collections were dispersed until 1971. The Warrnambool Library took over the Mechanics’ Institute Library’s holdings on behalf of the Warrnambool City Council. Since the closure of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute the exact location and composition of the original WMI books and items have become unclear. Other materials have been added to the collection, including items from Terang MI, Warrnambool Court House and Customs House. Many of the books have been identified as the Pattison Collection, named after the Librarian who catalogued and numbered the books during his time as Warrnambool Public Librarian in the time before the Mechanics’ Institute closed. It seems that when Warrnambool became part of the Corangamite Regional Library some of the books and materials went to its head office in Colac and then back to Warrnambool where they were stored at the Art Gallery for quite some time. Some then went to the Warrnambool Historical Society, some stayed at the Art Gallery and some were moved to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. The various stamps and labels on the books held at Flagstaff Hill show the variety of the collection’s distribution and origin. The books in the collection at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village date from the 1850s to the late 1950s and include rare and valuable volumes. Many of the books are part of the “Pattison Collection” after the Warrnambool’s Public Librarian, Mr R. Pattison. 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. Captain Cook's Voyages Round The World For the Discoveries in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, by the order of the Majesty. Containing A Relation of all the Interesting Transactions which occurred in the /coufe of the Voyages Publisher: Newcastle on Tyne: Printed by M. Brown, at the Bible in the Fresh Market. Date: 1790 Further Information: Not an official printing, lacks pages 673 to 680 & page V-V1 torn in half & missing. Very poor copyThe label on spine cover with typed text RH 910.41 COO Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, 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, captain cooks voyages round the world, james cook

This Bible was owned by Janet Hose (nee Murfitt) 1856-1947. She was married to George Hose and they lived in Warrnambool for all of their married life. They had eleven children and all the births and some of the deaths of the children are recorded in this little Bible. The book was purchased from James Hider who had been a carpenter, a land agent and a rate collector before he established a bookstore in Timor Street in the 1860s. He was heavily involved in community affairs, being a local Councillor and Mayor in 1868-9. He was also an early commercial photographer in Warrnambool. This small Bible is of great interest because of its connection to the Hose family in Warrnambool. In the book are recorded the births and deaths of members of the Hose family. It was a common custom in the 19th century to include family history details in family Bibles and some larger-style Bibles had pages specifically printed to include family history material. This Bible is also of antiquarian interest, an attractive item with its leather cover and gold clasp.This is a mottled brown leather-covered Bible of 840 pages. The pages are gilt-edged and there is a gold metal clasp to close over the pages. Inside the front and back pages there are signatures and other handwritten material, some written in black ink and some in pencil. There is also a label from the Warrnambool book shop and stationery store of James Hider. The inscription pages and the front cover are stained. The cover is also rubbed. ‘J.Hider Opposite the Post Office Warrnambool’ ‘Janet Hose 19/07, 78,83 (Plus the family history details of the Hose Family, mostly on the back pages) janet and george hose, history of warrnambool