The Kew Historical Society's map collection includes a substantial number of real estate subdivision plans, mainly of Kew but also of surrounding suburbs in Melbourne. Most of the subdivision plans date from the 1920s and 1930s when the districts old homes and local farmland were being split up to accommodate residential growth in the postwar period. These early plans were assembled by a local firm, Jas R Mather & McMillan, which had an office in Cotham Road. Many of the plans, and sometimes photos, were annotated by the agents.Subdivision plans are historically important documents used as evidence for the growth of suburbs in Australia. They frequently provide information about when the land was sold as well as evidence relating to surveyors and real estate and financial agents. The numerous subdivision plans in the Kew Historical Society's collection represent working documents, ranging from the initial sketches made in planning a subdivision to printed plans on which auctioneers or agents listed the prices for which individual lots were sold. In a number of cases, the reverse of a subdivision plan in the collection includes a photograph of a house that was also for sale by the agent. These photographs provide significant heritage information relating house design and decoration, fencing and household gardens.The photograph may also be aesthetically significant depending on the importance of the photographic atelier.An unusual bungalow that does not conform to a particular architectural style but which contains eclectic elements of the style of varying periods. The most striking element of the design is the cantilevered veranda that is supported by heavy chains that are attached to the central gable. This deep gable extends across most of the façade, forming an extensive veranda. Parts of this are infilled with screens. Seven wooden posts, whose lower halves are encased in rendered brick pillars, support this gabled veranda. The roof would appear to be covered with corrugated iron. The location of the house, which was advertised for sale, has to date not been identified. The real estate photo is on the reverse of a plan for the Myrtle Hill Subdivision, Kew.bungalows - kew, architecture - 1920s, real estate photographs

After training as a Cartographic Draftsman within the mining industry, I worked as a property illustrator for real estate firms in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne for 23 years from 1983. I initially photographed houses with a Polaroid camera and made a 'thumbnail' sketch while there. The photos were used to scale off a sketch in pencil and then that sketch was overlaid with drafting film and the 'pen and ink' completed. The pens I used were the Rotring ‘Rapidigraph’ drafting pens. The ink was also made by Rotring (German).The film was ‘Rapidraw’, polyester drafting film, double matte. It takes a very fine line and doesn’t bleed. As well as house sketches, there were often floor plans and site plans ordered. Aerial sketches were ordered when the property needed an overall view. (Margaret Picken, 2020)This drawing is one of a series created by Margaret Picken for a range of real estate agents in Melbourne between c.1983 and c.2005. Each work is signed and dated by the artist.Gift of Margaret Picken, 2020A 1920s weatherboard bungalow, now featuring a subsequent second floor addition. The pen and ink drawing on drafting film of 191 Brougham Street was made by Margaret Picken in 1997, and predates this addition.191 BROUGHAM ST., KEW / MARGARET PICKEN '97 / WOODARDS ~ HAWTHORNartist -- margaret picken 1950-, architectural drawings -- houses -- kew (vic.), 191 brougham street -- kew (vic.)