Subdivision plans are historically important documents used as evidence of the growth of suburbs in Australia. They frequently provide information about when the land was sold on which a built structure was subsequently constructed 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.Version 1 of two subdivision plans (the later one is MAP.0027) for the section of Studley Park Road near the Junction on the south side. Named in the subdivision are the mansions of Darley and Windella (now demolished). Before the subdivision of Darley and Windella, both houses fronted Studley Park Road. Both houses appear to be advertised as lots in the subdivision. Bisecting the subdivision is a street, Antrim Avenue that was never constructed. A street, which was subsequently constructed in this vicinity, was Merrion Place, which now runs between Studley Park Road and Highfield Grove. There are 14 proposed lots in this subdivision."Antrim Avenue. See over for new plan"subdivision plans - kew, studley park, windella, darnley, studley park road -- kew (vic.), merrion place -- kew (vic.), merrion grove -- kew (vic.), highbury grove -- kew (vic.)

Subdivision plans are historically important documents used as evidence of the growth of suburbs in Australia. They frequently provide information about when the land was sold on which a built structure was subsequently constructed 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.Version 2 of two subdivision plans (the earlier is 2016.0305.1) for the section of Studley Park Road near the Junction on the south side. Named in the subdivision are the mansions of Darley and Windella (now demolished). Before the subdivision of Darley and Windella, both houses fronted Studley Park Road. Both houses appear to be advertised as lots in the subdivision. Bisecting the subdivision is a street, Antrim Avenue that was never constructed. A street, which was subsequently constructed in this vicinity, was Merrion Place, which now runs between Studley Park Road and Highfield Grove. There are 13 proposed lots in this subdivision in contrast to the earlier plan. This resulted from larger lots being proposed for Studley Park Road.subdivision plans - kew, studley park, windella, darnley, antrim avenue -- kew (vic.), studley park road -- kew (vic.), merrion place -- kew (vic.), merrion grove -- kew (vic.), highbury grove -- 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, 2020Pen and ink architectural drawing on drafting film of 10 Merrion Place, Kew by Margaret Picken.10 MERRION PLACE., KEW / MARGARET PICKEN '89 / WOODARDS ~ KEWartist -- margaret picken 1950-, architectural drawings -- houses -- kew (vic.), 10 merrion place kew (vic.)