Carl Axel Nobelius established the Gembrook Nurseries in 1886 on sixty-three acres purchased from an original selector after the area's gold rush started to diminish. It was called the Gembrook Nurseries as it was located in the Parish of Gembrook, but it was commonly referred to as the Nobelius nurseries after its founder; especially as control of the remaining portions of the nurseries remained with the Nobelius family until 1955. The Nobelius Nurseries had a substantial impact on the development of the township of Emerald, as local farmers were able to earn funds during the winter by working at the nursery which gave them financial resources while waiting for their own farms to become productive. The need to transport plants and trees to port quickly also contributed to the development of rail infrastructure in the region; C.A. Nobelius was one of thirteen witnesses to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways in 1898 debating a rail connection between Gembrook and Ferntree Gully, which became today's Puffing Billy tourist service. The nurseries occupied 280 acres at their peak in 1905, with more than one million trees available for sale at that time. The nursery focused on exotic fruit and ornamental species which were supplied to public parks and gardens all over the world. In several cases the nurseries were the first suppliers of the trees in Australia. Sales records show that trees were supplied to clients in Europe, Asia, the United States, Africa and New Zealand, as well as to many Councils and Government organisations around Australia, such as Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens and Royal Botanic Gardens. Portions of the Gembrook Nurseries were sold at different times throughout the Twentieth Century, with the Emerald Country Club and Emerald Lake Park both occupying portions of the original land. In 1981 the final twelve acres were purchased by the Shire of Sherbrooke in recognition to be used as a heritage landmark in recognition of the site's significance.The photograph is significant because it demonstrates the extent of stock cultivation at the Gembrook Nurseries during the early decades of the Twentieth Century; a period in which the nurseries were the leading Southern-hemisphere supplier of plants and trees to public gardens around the world. Museum acquisition records indicate this photograph was taken in the period 1908-1912.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on photographic paper. The photograph depicts a central view of cultivated fields and trees along the skyline at the Gembrook Nurseries in approximately 1908-1912.Obverse: Gembrook Nurseries - Central View /1900s, 1910s, farming, agriculture, trees, gembrook nurseries, carl axel nobelius, emerald park lake, emerald country club, parish of gembrook, fitzroy gardens, royal botanic gardens, melbourne, shire of sherbrooke

Carl Axel Nobelius established the Gembrook Nurseries in 1886 on sixty-three acres purchased from an original selector after the area's gold rush started to diminish. It was called the Gembrook Nurseries as it was located in the Parish of Gembrook, but it was commonly referred to as the Nobelius nurseries after its founder; especially as control of the remaining portions of the nurseries remained with the Nobelius family until 1955. The Nobelius Nurseries had a substantial impact on the development of the township of Emerald, as local farmers were able to earn funds during the winter by working at the nursery which gave them financial resources while waiting for their own farms to become productive. The need to transport plants and trees to port quickly also contributed to the development of rail infrastructure in the region; C.A. Nobelius was one of thirteen witnesses to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways in 1898 debating a rail connection between Gembrook and Ferntree Gully, which became today's Puffing Billy tourist service. The nurseries occupied 280 acres at their peak in 1905, with more than one million trees available for sale at that time. The nursery focused on exotic fruit and ornamental species which were supplied to public parks and gardens all over the world. In several cases the nurseries were the first suppliers of the trees in Australia. Sales records show that trees were supplied to clients in Europe, Asia, the United States, Africa and New Zealand, as well as to many Councils and Government organisations around Australia, such as Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens and Royal Botanic Gardens. Portions of the Gembrook Nurseries were sold at different times throughout the Twentieth Century, with the Emerald Country Club and Emerald Lake Park both occupying portions of the original land. In 1981 the final twelve acres were purchased by the Shire of Sherbrooke in recognition to be used as a heritage landmark in recognition of the site's significance.The photograph is significant because it depicts work processes at the Gembrook Nurseries during the early decades of the Twentieth Century; a period in which the nurseries were the leading Southern-hemisphere supplier of plants and trees to public gardens around the world. The photograph may also depict Carl Axel Nobelius overseeing his workers, which gives insights into work practices and social dynamics of the time.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on photographic paper. The photograph of a postcard or newspaper clipping depicts twelve men in clothes associated with the first decades of the Twentieth Century undertaking planting or other field work under the gaze of a man in a suit and top hat. The item is captioned 'Budding at Gembrook Nurseries.'Obverse: BUDDING AT GEMBROOK NURSERIES. /1910s, 1900s, 1890s, 1880s, 1886, 1905, carl axel nobelius, nobelius nursery, gembrook nurseries, emerald country club, emerald lake park, fruit growing, trees, farming

The Gembrook Nurseries, informally known as the Nobelius Nurseries after the founder Carl Axel Nobelius, began with the purchase of sixty-three acres in 1886 and boomed in the 1890s due to opportunities provided by employment-promoting schemes to develop public parks and gardens and street shade by local and State Governments around Australia. Trees were sold to more than forty councils and Government organisations in the 1890s, including the Department of Agriculture, Lands Department and Victorian Railways. The need to transport nursery products by train via Ferntree Gully rather than by bullock dray to Narre Warren was a factor in the successful petition to develop what is now known as the Puffing Billy Railway. Railway developments in 1900 included the creation of a siding and Packing Shed, known as Nobelius Station, which is featured in this photograph. The Packing Shed was able to handle 250,000 cases of fruit each year. Gembrook Nurseries had an indirect influence on the development of other farms and industries in the region. As a wholesale nursery with high sales volumes it was an important employer of local people. Peak season for employees was during the cooler months, during most farmers' off-season. This provided local farmers with a source of income while their own farms were becoming established.The photograph is significant because it depicts personnel and infrastructure associated with the Gembrook or Nobelius Nurseries, a business which was instrumental to the development of Emerald as a settlement in the 19th and 20th Centuries and also influenced the development of public and private gardens and the farming of several species in Australia and internationally. The Nobelius Nursery is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on print media paper. The image is captioned 'Lunch Hour at the Packing Shed, Gembrook Nurseries.' It depicts thirty-one men (including one adolescent) and one woman posing for a group photograph behind approximately five large product bales resting in a rectangular metal rail cargo carriage. One of the men has a bandage across one eye. The people depicted are wearing clothing indicating the image may have been taken in the early 20th century. The Packing Shed building (built in 1900) and several stacked wooden storage crates are visible behind the group.Obverse: 59 NOR (?) 10 (?) + / LUNCH HOUR AT THE PACKING SHED, GEMBROOK NURSERIES. /1900s, gembrook nurseries, nobelius nurseries, carl axel nobelius, packing shed, railway, puffing billy railway, nursery employees, farming, agriculture, government initiatives

nurseries, plant nomenclature, beaver lodge nurseries, camellia lodge nursery, cowley nurseries, natural resources conservation league of victoria, forests commission of victoria, hodgins nurseries, gembrook nurseries rumseys annual, ronneby tree farm, e b littlejohn, catalogues

These 17 books date between 1913 and 1948 and form part of the Emerald Museum Nobelius Nursery sub collection. There are no other examples of this type from Nobelius Nursery in Australia. Yarralumla Nursery, Baptist Nursery and Yates Seed Merchants collections appear to hold similar information but in slightly different formats.Sales Ledgers were used by Carl Axel Nobelius to hand record Nobelius Nursery stock sales to clients in Victoria, interstate and overseas. There are hundreds of clients listed in these books. The following summary of names and places is indicative of the client range in this volume - Mr Hackett, Nursery, Adelaide South Australia; Mrs C J Weedon & Co, Launceston Tasmania; Mr Pickstone, Cape of G. Hope South Africa; Kerr & Barnett Nursery, Christchurch New Zealand; Director State Gardens, Gwalior India; Lasscock Nurseryman, Locklies South Australia; Ms Beisley Nursery, Freemantle WA; Mr Buckle, Wetherson Queensland; Ms Law Somner & Co, Melbourne Victoria; Mrs Braithwaite, Leeton New South Wales.These volumes holds historic, social and scientific (research and horticultural) significance. They're associated with Carl Axel Nobelius, a Swedish immigrant who was an important influence on the development of the nursery industry of Australia. Nobelius Nursery, the business Carl established in 1886, is also historically important for being the largest nursery in the southern hemisphere during its peak, just prior to World War I (WWI). It contributes to understandings of Nobelius Nursery and Carl Axel in particular, by illustrating the exceptionally diverse and consistent client base he had built up over 20 years and the impact this had on the nursery industry through his large-scale and diverse operations. It also embodies the social identity of the Dandenong region as a place known characteristically for plant growing and other agricultural purposesSales Ledgers, 17 volumes associated with Gembrook Nurseries from 14.05.1913-08.01.1983 (1-17).

This sales catalogue was developed by Carl Axel Nobelius to market the variety of nursery stock he had for sale. It was printed by D. W. Paterson Co, a printing firm based in Melbourne, and then distributed widely both interstate and overseas. This particular copy was owned by Gus Ryberg, past Nobelius Heritage Park curator between 1983 and 2000. Gus donated this issue to the Museum, where it is enjoyed as part of a larger set of illustrated sales catalogues. This example is one of the 16 such illustrated sales catalogues in the Emerald Museum collection. They date between 1898 and 1939 (1898, 1903, 1906 x2, 1907, 1909, 1911, 1913, 1918, 1922, 1926, 1928, 1929 x2, 1931, 1933 and 1935). This issue was chosen because it illustrates the nursery sales at the height of its success, just prior to WWI, and is one of the few examples with the tear-away order form and return envelope intact. Other identified examples of Nobelius Nursery illustrated sales catalogues are held at the National Library of Australia (1936 issue), the State Library of Victoria (1934 issue) and the Latrobe University Library (1898 issue). The existence of another 1913 catalogue has yet to be identified in a public collection. Other nursery collections also contain sales catalogues of their own.The sales catalogue is of historic, artistic and scientific (research and horticultural) significance. It was produced and distributed by Carl Axel Nobelius of Nobelius Nursery, contributing to understandings of how Nobelius’ client networks were expanded and maintained by promotional activities. The catalogue also demonstrates the integrity and reliability of Nobelius as a distributor who actively engaged with his clients, evidenced by an open letter within the catalogue, which states “…if I make a mistake I will replace the planting”. The catalogue therefore contributes to understandings of how the Nursery gained its success.The light green catalogue cover features the same image on its front and back, comprising a botanical illustration of a blossoming fruit tree branch. The title and descriptive detail comprises the following text running along the top: ‘CATALOGUE OF FRUIT TREES 1913’, with further smaller, detailed text in the middle, followed by ‘C A NOBELIUS’ printed along the bottom. All text on the cover is in a red/pink font. The catalogue contains 68 pages of black and white text, as well as colour and black & white image plates. The catalogue opens with a tear-away order form and return envelope, a ‘General Remarks’ section written as an ‘open letter’ to clients by Nobelius, and then in its remaining pages, listings of the different varieties of stock available for sale over that calendar year.)emerald, victoria, australia, nurseries (plants), catalogues, nobelius nursery, gembrook nurseries, carl axel nobelius

In 1886, Carl Axel Nobelius purchased 63 acres of land from an original selector in the small settlement, in an area now mostly occupied by the Emerald Country Club. The enterprise was called Gembrook Nurseries, being part of the Parish of Gembrook, but was more commonly known as Nobelius Nursery after its proprietor.This record holds historic significance as it captures the history of agriculture in the 1910's within Gembrook and gives us an idea of the prominence agriculture had on the development of Emerald and surrounding suburbs. There is also strong research potential due to the presumed time period the photograph was taken.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on matte photographic paper. This black and white photograph consists of a central view of Gembrook Nursery. In the image, we can see the agriculture grown by Gembrook Nurseries on the rolling hills. Circa 1909.Obverse: GEMBROOK NURSERIES-A CENTRAL VIEW /1910s, emerald & district collection

Nobelius Nursery sales catalogues are held in other collections in Australia; however VEMU924.16 is the only example of its type and year that retains components important for illustrating the publication’s purpose. The sale catalogues are the largest and most complete collection of Nobelius Nursery sales catalogues in Australia, with a total of 16 examples dating to between 1898 and 1939, all held at the Emerald Museum. The catalogues have a high degree of interpretive potential for its aesthetic merit, the volumes illustrate demand for different plant specimens in the nursery industry over several decades.The sale catalogues are of historic, artistic and scientific (research and horticultural) significance. It was produced and distributed by Carl Axel Nobelius of Nobelius Nursery, contributing to understandings of how Nobelius’ client networks were expanded and maintained by promotional activities. The catalogues also demonstrates the integrity and reliability of Nobelius as a distributor who actively engaged with his clients, evidenced by an open letter within VEMU924.16 which states “…if I make a mistake I will replace the planting”. The catalogues therefore contribute to understandings of how the Nursery gained its success. The detailed listings of the entire Nursery’s produce are also of high research value for horticultural purposes as a record of the plantings cultivated by Nobelius, who may have been the first nursery proprietor to introduce some exotic varieties of fruit and ornamental trees to Australia.16 original sale catalogues produced by Gembrook (k/a Nobelius Nursery) advertising trees for sale (spans 1898-1939)sales catalogues, catalogues, documents

Carl Axel Nobelius established the Gembrook Nurseries in 1886 on sixty-three acres purchased from an original selector after the area's gold rush started to diminish. It was called the Gembrook Nurseries as it was located in the Parish of Gembrook, but it was commonly referred to as the Nobelius nurseries after its founder; especially as control of the remaining portions of the nurseries remained with the Nobelius family until 1955. The Nobelius Nurseries had a substantial impact on the development of the township of Emerald, as local farmers were able to earn funds during the winter by working at the nursery which gave them financial resources while waiting for their own farms to become productive. The need to transport plants and trees to port quickly also contributed to the development of rail infrastructure in the region; C.A. Nobelius was one of thirteen witnesses to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways in 1898 debating a rail connection between Gembrook and Ferntree Gully, which became today's Puffing Billy tourist service. The nurseries occupied 280 acres at their peak in 1905, with more than one million trees available for sale at that time. The nursery focused on exotic fruit and ornamental species which were supplied to public parks and gardens all over the world. In several cases the nurseries were the first suppliers of the trees in Australia. Sales records show that trees were supplied to clients in Europe, Asia, the United States, Africa and New Zealand, as well as to many Councils and Government organisations around Australia, such as Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens and Royal Botanic Gardens. Emerald Museum records indicate that this photograph of the Gembrook Nursery was taken in the vicinity of Carramar, the family home built by Carl Axel Nobelius. The sixteen-room mansion was one of the premier estates in the region and was visited by guests including Dame Nellie Melba and the Governor of Victoria, Sir Reginald Talbot. The building still stands amongst gardens that feature original Gembrook Nurseries plantings. Portions of the Gembrook Nurseries (and the Carramar estate) were sold at different times throughout the Twentieth Century, with the Emerald Country Club and Emerald Lake Park both occupying portions of the original land. In 1981 the final twelve acres were purchased by the Shire of Sherbrooke in recognition to be used as a heritage landmark in recognition of the site's significance.The photograph is significant because it depicts the built environment and stock cultivation at the Gembrook Nurseries during the early decades of the Twentieth Century; a period in which the nurseries were the leading Southern-hemisphere supplier of plants and trees to public gardens around the world. Museum acquisition records indicate this photograph was taken in the vicinity of the 'Carramar' estate, the home of the Nobelius family.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on photographic paper. The photograph depicts cultivated fields, roads, fencing and buildings at the Gembrook Nurseries; in the vicinity of the 'Carramar' estate.Obverse: 70 / (?) nt /1910s, 1890s, 1900s, carl axel nobelius, gembrook nurseries, nobelius nursery, carramar, farming, buildings, agriculture, dame nellie melba, reginald talbot, emerald country club, emerald lake park, shire of sherbrooke

Carl Axel Nobelius established the Gembrook Nurseries in 1886 on sixty-three acres purchased from an original selector after the area's gold rush started to diminish. It was called the Gembrook Nurseries as it was located in the Parish of Gembrook, but it was commonly referred to as the Nobelius nurseries after its founder; especially as control of the remaining portions of the nurseries remained with the Nobelius family until 1955. The nurseries occupied 280 acres at their peak in 1905, with more than one million trees available for sale at that time. The nursery focused on exotic fruit and ornamental species which were supplied to public parks and gardens all over the world. In several cases the nurseries were the first suppliers of the trees in Australia. Sales records show that trees were supplied to clients in Europe, Asia, the United States, Africa and New Zealand, as well as to many Councils and Government organisations around Australia, such as Melbourne's Fitzroy Gardens and Royal Botanic Gardens. This photograph shows a postcard from the Rose Stereograph Company's "Rose Series". Victorian photographer George Rose started the Rose Stereograph Company in the 1880s and produced stereographic views (an early form of 3D image production) of the Western Front during the First World War but switched to producing postcards in the 1920s. Photographers for the company produced thousands of views of Victoria and locations interstate during the following decades.The postcard is significant because it depicts the built environment and gardens at the Gembrook Nurseries during the early decades of the Twentieth Century; a period in which the nurseries were the leading Southern-hemisphere supplier of plants and trees to public gardens around the world.Black and white rectangular postcard printed on card. The postcard depicts cultivated fields, roads, fencing and buildings at the Gembrook Nurseries.Obverse: THE ROSE SERIES. P. 1626 / Copyright / PANORAMA AT EMERALD, VICTORIA /gembrook nurseries, nobelius nursery, farming, agriculture, rose stereograph company, george rose, postcards

The Gembrook Nurseries, informally known as the Nobelius Nurseries after the founder Carl Axel Nobelius, began with the purchase of sixty-three acres in 1886 and boomed in the 1890s due to opportunities provided by employment-promoting schemes to develop public parks and gardens and street shade by local and State Governments around Australia. Trees were sold to more than forty councils and Government organisations in the 1890s, including the Department of Agriculture, Lands Department and Victorian Railways. The need to transport nursery products by train via Ferntree Gully rather than by bullock dray to Narre Warren was a factor in the successful petition to develop what is now known as the Puffing Billy Railway. Railway developments in 1900 included the creation of a siding and Packing Shed, known as Nobelius Station, which is featured in this photograph. The Packing Shed was able to handle 250,000 cases of fruit each year at the height of the nurseries' activities. The image shows the Packing Shed with boarded-up windows, suggesting it was taken prior to the purchase of the facility for use in the Puffing Billy Railway service. Gembrook Nurseries had an indirect influence on the development of other farms and industries in the region. As a wholesale nursery with high sales volumes it was an important employer of local people. Peak season for employees was during the cooler months, during most farmers' off-season. This provided local farmers with a source of income while their own farms were becoming established.The photograph is significant because it depicts infrastructure associated with the Gembrook or Nobelius Nurseries, a business which was instrumental to the development of Emerald as a settlement in the 19th and 20th Centuries and also influenced the development of public and private gardens and the farming of several species in Australia and internationally. The Nobelius Nursery is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. The image appears to show the Packing Shed building prior to its restoration as a tourist facility.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on print media paper. The image depicts the Gembrook Nurseries Packing Shed building with boarded up windows.Obverse: NOBELIUS NURSERIES / . WEEKEND TRADING . /1970s, gembrook nurseries, puffing billy railway, carl axel nobelius, packing shed, railway stations, farming, agriculture

These account books provide an insight into the early operations of the Gembrook Nurseries including the range of their clients.These books are significant because they are among the earliest records of the Gembrook Nurseries. The Nurseries, at their height in 1914, were considered to be the largest in the Southern Hemisphere and influenced the development of parks, streetscapes, private and public gardens throughout Australia. They also exported trees to several other countries.Two consecutively dated Account Books compiled by the Gembrook Nurseries (aka Nobelius Nurseries). Both are hard-cover volumes which are divided into two parts: account holders who are listed on A-Z tabbed pages followed by account records. One volume was used from 12 November 1893 to 15 June 1902. The second volume was used from 9 December 1902 to 6 June 1922.carl axel nobelius, gembrook nurseries, c. a. nobelius & sons, account books, 1890s, 1900s

Invoice and receipt from Nobelius Nursery made out to Mr Smart, of Glenfern Road, Upwey. Donor unknown.Original invoice headed 'Gembrook Nurseries' - Receipt on pink paperemerald, victoria, australia, nurseries (plants), administration, c.a. nobelius & sons pty. ltd., gembrook nurseries, nobelius nursery, mr smart

The Gembrook Nurseries, informally known as the Nobelius Nurseries after the founder Carl Axel Nobelius, began with the purchase of sixty-three acres in 1886 and boomed in the 1890s due to opportunities provided by employment-promoting schemes to develop public parks and gardens and street shade by local and State Governments around Australia. Trees were sold to more than forty councils and Government organisations in the 1890s, including the Department of Agriculture, Lands Department and Victorian Railways. The need to transport nursery products by train via Ferntree Gully rather than by bullock dray to Narre Warren was a factor in the successful petition to develop what is now known as the Puffing Billy Railway. Railway developments in 1900 included the creation of a siding and Packing Shed, known as Nobelius Station, which is featured in this photograph. The Packing Shed was able to handle 250,000 cases of fruit each year at the height of the nurseries' activities. The image shows the Packing Shed prior to the purchase of the facility for use in the Puffing Billy Railway service. Gembrook Nurseries had an indirect influence on the development of other farms and industries in the region. As a wholesale nursery with high sales volumes it was an important employer of local people. Peak season for employees was during the cooler months, during most farmers' off-season. This provided local farmers with a source of income while their own farms were becoming established.The photograph is significant because it depicts infrastructure associated with the Gembrook or Nobelius Nurseries, a business which was instrumental to the development of Emerald as a settlement in the 19th and 20th Centuries and also influenced the development of public and private gardens and the farming of several species in Australia and internationally. The Nobelius Nursery is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. The image appears to show the Packing Shed building prior to its restoration as a tourist facility.Black and white rectangular photograph printed on print media paper. The image depicts the Gembrook Nurseries Packing Shed building. The building is made from weatherboard and features a brick chimney. There is also a tall tree standing next to the chimney.Obverse: IUS NURSERIES / TRADING ... /gembrook nurseries, puffing billy railway, carl axel nobelius, packing shed, railway stations, farming, agriculture

Catalogues created for the Nobelius Gembrook NurseryCatalogues and other papers relating to the Gembrook Nurseries (aka Nobelius Nursery)gembrook nurseries, nobelius nursery, s & l linton gembrook nuseries, c a nobelius & sons nurseries

Catalogues of fruit trees etc. offered for sale by Gembrook Nurseries covering the period 1909-1943 (see VEMU0010 as not all years are included).15 Catalogues of fruit trees etc. offered for sale by Gembrook Nurseries covering the period 1909-1943. Items 22.1 - 22.9, 22.11 - 22.15, 22.18 (missing 22.10 and 22.16)documents, sales catalogues, catalogues