This framed copy of a sketch of John Ruskin comes from the original steel plate engraving dating from about 1845. John Ruskin (1819-1900) was a notable English writer, philosopher, art critic and polymath in the Victorian era. He was the first Professor of Fine Art at Oxford University and was a prolific writer interested in the connection between nature, art and society, anticipating the more modern interest in environmental and sustainability issues. This framed item is from the collection of the old Warrnambool Museum which was first established in 1871 by the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute under the curatorship of a local policeman, Joseph Archibald. This first museum faded away but was revived in 1883 by Joseph Archibald in his retirement years. The Museum continued as part of the Mechanics' Institute until 1963 as an important and much-admired institution. Most of the collection was lost over the years but some items remain, housed at the Warrnambool Art Gallery, Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and the Warrnambool and District Historical Society, with the John Ruskin item being part of the latter group's collection.This item is of considerable interest, firstly because it comes from the collection of the old Warrnambool Museum and secondly because it shows the local interest in the 19th century of the notable English writer and philosopher, John Ruskin. This is a copy of a steel plate engraving, a black and white sketch of the head and upper body of John Ruskin. It is enclosed in a cut glass frame with a red cardboard backing attached by metal clips. A section of the backing is torn off and there is damage to the bottom part of the glass frame.J. Ruskinold warrnambool museum, warrnambool art gallery, flagstaff hill maritime museum, warrnambool & district historical society, joseph archibald, john ruskin portrait

James John Thomson was the first secretary of the Snowy River Shipping Company. The Snowy River Shipping Company was formed by Mr Henry James in 1880 with Captain McNeil as master. This photograph was taken off a one inch daguerrotype which was the first publicly available photographic process, widely used during the 1840s and 1850s.James John Johnston was a prominent citizen of Orbost in the late 19th / early 20th century.A black / white photograph of a man - an octagonal shape on a white buff card.on front above portrait - "One Inch" and a hand-drawn ruler. on front below portrait - in capitals and underlined "Mr J.J. THOMPSON"johnston-j.j. snowy-river-shipping-company

This is a photograph of Mr John Scouller (born 1861 , died 1935) who was the first manager of the Orbost Butter Factory which opened in 1892. He filled the position for thirty years.John Scouller was a prominent Orbost citizen in the late 19th and earyl 20th centuries.A black / white head and shoulders portrait of a balding man with a moustache. He is wearing a suit and tie.scouller-john orbost-butter-factory

John Russell Senior was a blacksmith, wheelwright, farmer and chairman of the Orbost Butter Factory, makers of Sunny South Butter (today part of Murray Goulburn Co Ltd). He was a keen bowler, playing up to, the age of ninety.This item is associated with the Russell family, early settlers in the Orbost district.A black / white, head and shoulders, portrait photograph of a balding man in a suit and tie. There is a badge on his lapel.russell-john