No specific information is available on this item but miniature books, especially Bibles and dictionaries, were popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They were made to carry on the person. This item is of interest as an example of a novelty item popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is useful for display.This is a miniature Bible of 877 pages. It has a dark blue leather cover and the pages are gilt-edged. It has a folder at the back with a small magnifying glass enclosed. The cover is slightly scuffed and worn. Spine of cover: ‘Holy Bible’miniature bible, warrnambool

In the words of the Donor, Betty Stone, "According to family tradition, this small leather case containing a prayer book and a hymn book was originally owned by Susan (nee Ellis) Chamberlain who brought it with her when the family left Thriplow England in 1854 to come to Australia. Later, Susan passed it on to her granddaughter Ann (nee Lees) Dale who used the little books for some years in 1912, Ann Dale (my grandmother) gave the case and books to my mother Daisy Elvena Dale. Daisy, aged twelve years at the time, was the youngest child of Ann and Ellis Dale, of Latrigg, Wangoom, Warrnambool. There is no date of publication but it would be mid-1800's, as it was brought to Australia in 1854 . The hymn book has a notation - “From Mother to Daisy 1912 Print too small” and is signed by A. Dale. (ie Ann Dale, granddaughter of Susan Chamberlain)" (Note: For additional information please refer to Betty Stone’s book “Pioneers and Places - A History of three Warrnambool Pioneering Families” ie. Chamberlain, Dale and Lees Families) This item is associated with families of Chamberlain, Dale and Lees. These families are listed in the "Pioneers' Register" for Warrnambool Township and Shire, 1835-1900, published by A.I.G.S. Warrnambool Branch.Miniature leather case with two books inside - Book of Common Prayer and Hymns Ancient and Modern, Brought to Australia by Susan Chamberlain when she emigrated in 1854. From the 'Chamberlain Dale Lees Collection'. Hand written inscription is inside the cover. One end of the handle has been repaired by sewing it in place. Hand written inside the cover is "From Mother to Daisy, 1912 Print too small (signed) A. Dale"flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, chamberlain, dale, lees, stone, betty stone, warrnambool pioneers, miniature bible, miniature hymn book, worship, emigration

This print of Christ is slightly smaller than the original 1927 oil painting by Herbert Beecroft, which is titled “Christ” and measures, in centimetres, 60 high by 50 wide. The original is displayed at John Wesley’s House & The Museum of Methodism in Islington, England. This print was part of the original furnishings donated by the Williamstown Lightkeepers' Auxiliary to the St Nicholas' Mission to Seamen's Church at 139 Nelson Place, Williamstown, Victoria, operated by the Missions to Seamen organisation. The title of the print is taken from the Holy Bible, from the New Testament book of Luke, chapter 22 verse 61, which is a famous Christian account of Jesus being betrayed by Peter, which leads to Jesus’ crucifixion; “And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.”. The print was published in 1942 by the National Sunday School Union in England, now known as the National Christian Education Council. The NSSU was established in Britain in 1803 to promote Sunday Schools in Britain and overseas. The organisation produced many publications, including training manuals and materials for Sunday School teachers. Herbert Beecroft 1864-1951, also known as Lawrence Herbert Beecroft, was an early 20th-century artist. He and his wife emigrated from England to Sydney, Australia, in 1905. He worked as a painter, illustrator, miniaturist, lightning cartoonist, and lecturer. From 1927, Beecroft painted a series of portraits of Jesus Christ, prints of which made many worldwide sales. He entered a miniature portrait in the 1921 inaugural Archibald Prize competition. It was one of forty-one entries but the title was unknown. It was probably JF Archibald, the person who endowed the prize, first awarded in 1921. THE MISSIONS TO SEAMEN (Brief History): - The Missions to Seamen was an Anglican charity in Great Britain that has served the world's seafarers since 1856. Its symbol is a Flying Angel, inspired by a Bible verse. Today, there are centres in over 200 ports worldwide where seamen of all backgrounds are offered a warm welcome and provided with a wide range of facilities. In Victoria, the organisation began in Williamstown in 1857 as a Sailors’ Church, also known as ‘Bethel’ or the ‘Floating Church’ in an old hulk floating in Hobson’s Bay, Port of Melbourne. It soon became part of the Missions to Seamen, Victoria. In 2000, the organisation, now named Mission to Seafarers, still operated locally in Melbourne, Portland, Geelong and Hastings. The Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild was formed in 1906 to support the Missions to Seamen in Melbourne and other centres, such as Williamstown. Two of the most significant ladies of the Guild were founder Ethel Augusta Godfrey and foundation member Alice Sibthorpe Tracy (who established a branch of the Guild in Warrnambool in 1920). The Guild continued its work until the 1960s. In 1943, a former Williamstown bank was purchased for the Missions to Seamen Club. The chapel was named St Nicholas’ Seamen’s Church and was supported by the Ladies’ Harbour Lights Guild, the Williamstown Lightkeepers’ Auxiliary and the League of Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Friends. It ceased operation in 1966. A Missions to Seamen Chapel and Recreation Room was a significant feature of ports during the late 1800s and 1900s. It seemed appropriate for Flagstaff Hill to include such a representation within the new Maritime Village, and the Melbourne Board of Management of Missions to Seamen Victoria gave its permission on 21st May 1979 for the entire furnishings of the Williamstown chapel to be transferred to Flagstaff Hill. The St Nicholas Seamen’s Church was officially opened on October 11, 1981, and resembles the Williamstown chapel. This print of Christ, originally painted by Herbert Beecroft, represents the social movement in the early 20th century to educate all children in good morals and Christianity. The book is historically significant for its connection to the Missions to Seamen and to the Williamstown Lightkeepers' Auxiliary, an organisation of women, formed to support seafarers. A religious portrait of the artist’s impression of Jesus. The print is in a gilt timber frame behind glass. The frame has eyelets and wire for hanging. The backing paper lifts to reveal a handwritten pencil inscription. The portrait shows a male figure from the waist up facing the viewer but turned slightly to his right. He has long wavy blond hair, a moustache and a beard. He wears a blue-grey robe over a collarless white shirt. The background is red-brown. It is the artist’s impression of Jesus. The whole frame-mat has script text above and below the print, giving its title, and details of the publisher and producer. This print was produced from an original 1927 oil painting by Herbert Beecroft. It was published in 1942 by The National Sunday School Union in London and produced by Frost & Reed Ltd., England. This print is part of the St. Nicholas Seamen's Church Collection. Handwritten script on the mat; “Published in 1942 by the National Sunday School Union, 4 Black Friars Lane, London, EC4. Produced by Frost & Reed Ltd., Bristol & London. Printed in England. Copyright.” and, “The Lord turned and looked upon Peter … and Peter remembered” Signature on bottom left “Herbert Beecroft” In pencil on backboard under back paper “H 89 / 12”. Pen on white tape “155”flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime village, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, great ocean road, print, religious, vintage, 1942, herbert beecroft, lawrence herbert beecroft, archibald prize winner, early 20th-century, artist, oil painting, luke 22:61, flagstaff hill maritime museum and village, religion, religious service, religious worship, worship service, st nicholas seamen’s church, williamstown, missions to seamen victoria, mission to seafarers, st nicholas missions to seamen’s church williamstown, missions to seamen, st nicholas missions to seamen’s church flagstaff hill, 139 nelson place williamstown, anglican church, church furnishings, religious furnishings, seating, williamstown lightkeepers' auxiliary

A New Testament published in 1919 in commemoration of peace often refers to small New Testament books given to schoolchildren or soldiers after World War I, such as those associated with the signing of the Versailles Peace Treaty, which ended the war. These commemorative items were a common way to mark the armistice and the subsequent peace celebrations, providing a tangible connection to the end of the conflict and the hope for a more peaceful future. A miniature dark blue cloth covered New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ with a gold circular laurel wreath stamped on the front cover. Inside the wreath stamped in gold lettering is In Commemoration of Peace 1919. Pp. 384On the right of the front end paper written in black ink is 'Nellie Gaudion July 19/19'bibles, new testament, commemorative new testament

1. A black leatherette softcover Holy Bible contains the Old and New Testaments with the title and publisher Oxford printed in gold lettering on the spine. There are five embossed double lines on the spine too. On the front cover at the bottom right there is printed in gold lettering J.H.L. At the back there is an Indexed Atlas to the Holy Bible with a List of maps and a List of Biblical Names. This is followed by twelve yellow and blue coloured maps of the Lands and Nations of the Bible. The pages have gilt edges. 348p. Inside the front right hand side endpaper written in small blue handwriting is a prayer as written in the Inscription box below. 2. A miniature brown leatherette softcover book titled Daily light on the Daily Path - a devotional text book for every day of the year. The faded title is printed on the front cover at the top and on the spine. At the back there is a section For Special Occasions: Easter, Affliction, Marriage, Bereavement and others. There are two lists of the Daily Texts - the morning and evening hour arranged in biblical order. The edges of the pages are gilt. In the front is handwriiten in black ink - Neville Lordnon-fiction1. A Holy Bible containing the Old and New Testaments. At the back there is an Indexed Atlas to the Holy Bible with a List of maps and a List of Biblical Names. This is followed by twelve yellow and blue coloured maps of the Lands and Nations of the Bible. 2.A miniature book titled Daily Light on the Daily Path, A Devotional text book for everyday in the year..religious books, bibles, prayers

Used in 1859. Donated by Norma Barnes..Miniature leather bound New Testament metal edged with metal clasp. Has Gilt edging. Bowderrybibles, new testament