This leporello photo album, published by A.J Punshon, Bookseller contains 12 unique scenes around Ballarat, notably the Botanical Gardens and the Town Hall. The images appear hand drawn and are possibly lithographs. Inside the back-cover of the leporello is a tiny sticker identifying A.J Punshon Bookseller as the publisher or supplier. This sticker might be the only evidence of Punshon in business in Ballarat, apart from a single entry in Niven's 1888 Ballarat and District Directory, which gives his occupation as bookseller and address as 82 Dawson Street south. The only result from a search in Trove indicates he published the Australian Almanac for 1887. His name is not familiar as one of the booksellers of Ballarat. Alfred James Punshon was born in Prahan in 1856 to Isabella Lockwood and Robert Punshon; he married Elizabeth Lyons of Buningyong in 1881, they had two daughters, Ethel Mary in 1882 and Flora Hazel in 1894. It seems the family moved to Melbourne after Flora's birth. Elizabeth Punshon died in St.Kilda 1913 and Alfred died in 1938, in South Yarra. It seems in the early 1880's he set up as a bookseller and published at least two books but this is all we have been able to find out. If you have any additional information on Alfred Punshon, we would be pleased to hear it in the comments below! leporello, punshon family, lithograph, ballarat, publishing, publisher, album

Small panoramic picture book with early views of Ballarat. Part of a series including Sydney, Launceston, Lorne and Melbourne views.Significant to the history of Ballarat - particularly streetscapes and architecture.[12] folded leaves of plates; all illustrations (Leporello folding panorama); 14 cm. Front cover: gold gilt on blue background with brown cloth spine; images of kangaroo and emu with shields and rising sun; image of Ballarat Town Hall. Inscribed: "A souvenir of Ballarat to dear Mother, Helen and George September 1891" Front cover: title. ballarat buildings, photographs, pictorial history, btlc, ballarat regional trades and labour council, ballarat trades hall, post office, ballarat, city hall, ballarat east, ballarat hospital, ballarat benovolent asylum, ballarat state school, mining exchange, ballarat, wesleyan church, ballarat, presbyterian church, ballarat, roman catholic church, ballarat, congregational church, ballarat, new anglican cathedral, ballarat, moorabool falls, botanical gardens, ballarat, architecture, ballarat