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.On the reverse of a subdivision plan of the Palmyra Estate (Kew) is a photograph of a double-fronted Edwardian villa. The weatherboard and stucco house with high brick chimneys provides a clear indication of the style of curtains and gardens in houses of the period. Holland blinds with lace inserts are used in the left front window. They are combined with long lace curtains. The garden, with its curved pathway is bordered with garden beds that include marguerite daisies and roses. Reflecting a new interest in the Australian landscape, tree ferns and ground ferns are planted closer to the house.houses - kew, architecture - edwardian, real estate photographs

17 Fellows Street Kew was originally owned and occupied by the architect Henry Kemp. Kemp had arrived in Australia in 1886 and this was therefore one of the first of the many buildings he was to design in Melbourne. While late Victorian in date, the house is an interesting precursor of the Edwardian architecture produced by Kemp. Somewhat awkwardly composed with steep gables, a rectangular castellated tower and slated single storeyed verandahs projecting from the overall box-like form, the house contains features common to the 1880s such as the use of polychromy in the brickwork and slates cladding the roof. (Sanderson 1988). The historian Dorothy Rogers established that at one stage it was the home of Dr John Dale - Chief Medical Officer of the City of Melbourne. This photograph predates later renovations to the rear of the property.This work forms part of the collection assembled by the historian Dorothy Rogers, that was donated to the Kew Historical Society by her son John Rogers in 2015. The manuscripts, photographs, maps, and documents were sourced by her from both family and local collections or produced as references for her print publications. Many were directly used by Rogers in writing ‘Lovely Old Homes of Kew’ (1961) and 'A History of Kew' (1973), or the numerous articles on local history that she produced for suburban newspapers. Most of the photographs in the collection include detailed annotations in her hand. The Rogers Collection provides a comprehensive insight into the working habits of a historian in the 1960s and 1970s. Together it forms the largest privately-donated collection within the archives of the Kew Historical Society17 Fellows Street, Fellows Street frontage."17 Fellows St. Also residence of Dr. John Dale, Melbourne City Medical Officer"fellows street (kew), dorothy rogers, henry kemp, dr john dale

One of a group of slides taken by members of the Society of built heritage in Kew in 1979-80. The selection of subject matter reflects the priorities of the period. The colour of some slides has degraded. This particular slide is of 'Fairholme' on the corner of Barry and Fellows Street. The building is listed by the National Trust (Victoria). The citation on the Historic Buildings Register states: 'Fairholme is of State architectural significance as a distinctive free Romanesque Revival residence. Built in two stages, 1889 for solicitor Edward Smart and early this century for importer, J K Meritt, the singular architectural character of Fairholme is achieved by combining window bays and groups of windows with a two-storey gabled porch. The deliberate and distinctively asymmetrical composition is emphasised by Art Nouveau pressed cement detailing (coprosma) on a bowed balcony and the two-storey timber verandah, which is typical of the Edwardian period. The architects were Reed, Henderson & Smart (1889) and C Gordon McCrae (c 1900-1). Internally a grand entry hall with inglenook, staircase and gallery follow the Arts and Crafts quality of the exterior. Classified: 17/03/1993'The slides represent a snapshot in time of built architecture in Kew, much of which has changed in the forty-plus period since they were created. 35mm colour transparency (slide) of 'Fairholme' (1889) on the north-east corner of the intersection of Fellows and Barry Streets, Kew. The photo was developed in May 1979.barry street -- kew (vic.), fellows street -- kew (vic.), historic houses -- kew (vic.), architects -- reed henderson & smart, architectural styles -- romanesque revival, j k merritt

One of a group of slides taken by members of the Society of built heritage in Kew in 1979-80. The selection of subject matter reflects the priorities of the period. The colour of some slides has degraded. 99 Princes sStreet (1 Fellows Street) was built by the architects Oakden, Addison and Kemp. The Kew Conservation Study (1988) noted that: Erected By Bennie And Olivers, these Two Attached Houses Attracted An Initial Construction N.A.V. of £260. The houses were originally owned and occupied by the architect Henry Kemp, however Kemp appears not to have lived there long because, while he retained ownership for at least a decade, by 1891 George Martin, merchant and bank manager, was recorded as the tenant of No.1 Fellows Street. At that date the N.A.V. for this individual building was £83 and Kemp remained the owner of both properties until at least 1910. Kemp had arrived in Australia in 1886 and this was therefore one of the first of the many buildings he was to design in Melbourne. While late Victorian in date, the houses are of a unified design that is an interesting precursor of the Edwardian architecture produced by Kemp. Somewhat awkwardly composed with steep gables, a rectangular castellated tower and slated single storeyed verandahs projecting from the overall boxlike form, the house contains features common to the 1880s such as the use of polychromy in the brickwork and slates cladding the roof. The building departs from the norm of the time with the use of terracotta tile ridge cappings, and strapwork to the corbelled chimneys.The slides represent a snapshot in time of built architecture in Kew, much of which has changed in the forty-plus period since they were created.Colour positive transparency (slide) of the pair of residences on the corner of Princess Street and Fellows Street in Kew. The point of view is the Fellows Street frontage.comaques, historic houses -- kew (vic.), glenferrie road -- kew (vic.)

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, 2020Single fronted Edwardian weatherboard house, with a later first floor extension. The pen and ink drawing on drafting film of 180 Brougham Street by Margaret Picken dates from 1990 and predates the extension.180 BROUGHAM ST., KEW / MARGARET PICKEN '90 / WOODARDS ~ KEWartist -- margaret picken 1950-, architectural drawings -- houses -- kew (vic.), 180 brougham street -- kew (vic.)

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 number of real estate agents in Melbourne between 1983 and 2005. Each work is signed and dated by the artist.Gift of Margaret Picken, 2020Double-fronted weatherboard Edwardian residence; named 'Goodwood'. Pen and ink architectural drawing on drafting film of 16 Kent Street, Kew by Margaret Picken. 16 KENT ST., KEW / MARGARET PICKEN '93 / WOODARDS ~ KEWartist -- margaret picken 1950-, architectural drawings -- houses -- kew (vic.), 16 kent street -- kew (vic.)

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 number of real estate agents in Melbourne between 1983 and 2005. Each work is signed and dated by the artist.Gift of Margaret Picken, 2020Double-fronted Edwardian weatherboard villa. Pen and ink architectural drawing on drafting film of 31 Kent Street by Margaret Picken in 2000. Subsequent alterations and additions made in 2006. 31 KENT ST., KEW / MARGARET PICKEN 2000 / FLETCHER & PARKERartist -- margaret picken 1950-, architectural drawings -- houses -- kew (vic.), 31 kent street -- kew (vic.)

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 number of real estate agents in Melbourne between 1983 and 2005. Each work is signed and dated by the artist.Gift of Margaret Picken, 2020Originally a single-storey Edwardian weatherboard villa with a later two storey addition. Pen and ink architectural drawing on drafting film of 56 Kent Street, Kew by Margaret Picken in 1998.56 KENT ST., KEW / MARGARET PICKEN '98 / WOODARDS ~ HAW.artist -- margaret picken 1950-, architectural drawings -- houses -- kew (vic.), 56 kent street -- kew (vic.)

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, 2020'Orlandon', a single-storey weatherboard Edwardian semi-detached house. Built c.1905. Pen and ink architectural drawing on drafting film of 4 Derrick Street, Kew by Margaret Picken in 1992. Subsequent two-storey addition at rear. 4 DERRICK STREET, KEW / MARGARET PICKEN 1992 / WOODARDS ~ KEWartist -- margaret picken 1950-, architectural drawings -- houses -- kew (vic.), 4 derrick street -- kew (vic.)