1. Old Japanese 100 year old note. Black and Red printing on face, blue ink on rear side. Face side has image of a building and traditional man. rear side images has buildings and two dragons. NRS: 561037 1136422. 2. British Armed Forces - Special voucher. Three pence. printing on front is in brown green and red ink. rear side, brown ink. 3. British Armed Forces - Special voucher. Six pence. Printing on front is in blue, orange and green ink - rearside in blue ink. 4. British Armed Forces - Special voucher. One shilling. Printing on front is in red, blue and green ink - rearside in red ink.army overseas, barracks money, japan, britian

The Japanese government-issued Oceanian Pound was one of several issues of Japanese invasion money used during World War II. Consisting of only four denominations, the Oceanian Pound was the shortest set (i.e., total number of denominations) issued. Geographically, the region of Oceania comprises numerous islands across the vast South and Central Pacific which includes the islands of New Zealand.[1] Certain descriptions may or may not include Australia.[2] Oceania has also been defined by island groupings: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.[1][3] However, from a numismatic perspective (i.e., the issuance of Japanese invasion money), Oceania consisted of the occupied territories of Guam, Gilbert and Ellice Islands, Caroline Islands, Marianas Islands, Solomon Islands, Palau, and the now defunct Territory of New Guinea.[4] [5] Although officially called "Oceania" the region was considered a financial and currency union under Japanese colonial dominion that included several political jurisdictions rather than a single polity.A blue coloured paper note with picture of fruit and an island beach on the front.On the front reads "Japanese Government One Shilling" and on the reverse the number 1. On the front in red are the letters "OC".money, paper, currency, japanese, wwii, japan, oceania, shilling, one, occupation, japanese government, blue

Crimson and black cloth bound book of 350 pages. Formerly part of the South Street Young Men's General Debating Society's Circulating Library.non-fictionmoney, south street, south street debating society, south street young men's general debating society circulating library, bookplate, j.s. charles, john p. charles, library, barter, currency, metals as money, coining, coins, standards, exchange, promissory notes, paper currency, credit documents, foreign bills of exchange, bank of england, corn rents, legal tender

Typewriters pre dated computers. This typewriter was possibly used in an office or at home. It was used with an inked tape which may have been only black or had both red and black ink along it. Multiple copies of the material being typed were done using carbon paper inserted between sheets of paper. The original paper was easily identified.Used in the Kiewa Valley.Small grey metal typewriter with deep green key board with gold letters on top.The margin rod is marked in inches and it has keys for pounds, dollars and cents, inches and fractions. The loading of A4 paper is done manually. The keys that hit the paper are stainless steel. The keyboard slopes up to the top which is partially hollow with a gap that exposes the stainless steel keys. The cylinder is at the top and at the back with control knobs on each side. This typewriter has 2 sheets of paper with carbon paper between them to demonstrate how copies were made (but there isn't an inked tape in it so the copies aren't authentic)Centre front: "Royal" Letters of the alphabet on the keys. Centre bottom back: "Royal" and below on a plate: "Built in the British Empire / Protected by American / and Foreign Patents"office. typewriter. royal. carbon paper. decimal currency. office equipment. writing.

John Ash succeeded Thomas Harrison as the Australian Note Printer in 1927 and oversaw the printing of a new series of banknotes, known as the Ash Series. First issued between 1933 and 1934, the new banknotes sought to improve the currency's resistance to counterfeiting. A special watermark was created to increase the security of the new series. Shaped as a medallion, the watermark showed the profile of Edward, the Prince of Wales. A new portrait of the King was also introduced, depicting him frontally rather than in profile as he had appeared in the prior banknotes of the Harrison Series (1923-1925). The back of each denomination contained an individual vignette that reflected a sector of the country's economy. The wool and agricultural industries were represented, as they had been in the first series of the nation's banknotes (1913-1914), and they were joined by manufacturing and commerce. The prominent British sculptor, Paul Montford, contributed to the design of the new series. Recognised for his sculptural works on the exterior of Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance, Montford was commissioned to produce relief sculptures that formed the basis of the banknotes' vignettes. His sculptures were translated into wash drawings by Frank Manley, the artist and engraver for the Commonwealth Bank's Note Printing Branch. Manley accentuated the sculpture's three-dimensional qualities with deep shadows and touches of illusionism. A sheep in Montford's pastoral scene, for example, stands forward from the frame as if entering the viewer's space to escape branding and Manley preserves this visual conceit in his drawing. Whereas the printing of the previous series of Australian banknotes had been criticised for its poor definition, the sculptural basis of the Ash Series clarified the banknotes' imagery. During a period of record unemployment, the scenes emphasised the strength of the human figure in gestures of labour, evoking classical, heroic qualities in their poses. The sculptural forms suggested stability in the turbulence of the Great Depression and imparted a sense of solidity to paper currency. - museum.rba.gov.auCommonwealth of Australia paper one pound note in green and white tones depicting graphics and text. The obverse has a framed design with a blank portal to the left and King George VI in the right portal. The centre shows the Australian Coat of Arms, serial number, and detail over one pound symbol on a mosaic background, with signatories below. The reverse features a framed pastoral scene with farmers tending sheep, with a blank portal to the right.Obverse: ONE / 1 / 1 / ONE / COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA / K / 58 / 790230 / K / 58 / 790230 / This Note is legal tender for / ONE POUND / in the Commonwealth and in all / Territories under the control of the / Commonwealth. / [signature] / GOVERNOR / COMMONWEALTH BANK ON AUSTRALIA / [signature] / SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY Reverse: 1 /1 / 1 / 1 / PASTORALcurrency, money, pound note, pastoral scene, industry, commonwealth of australia, paul montford, king george vi, frank manly, john ash

John Ash succeeded Thomas Harrison as the Australian Note Printer in 1927 and oversaw the printing of a new series of banknotes, known as the Ash Series. First issued between 1933 and 1934, the new banknotes sought to improve the currency's resistance to counterfeiting. A special watermark was created to increase the security of the new series. Shaped as a medallion, the watermark showed the profile of Edward, the Prince of Wales. A new portrait of the King was also introduced, depicting him frontally rather than in profile as he had appeared in the prior banknotes of the Harrison Series (1923-1925). The back of each denomination contained an individual vignette that reflected a sector of the country's economy. The wool and agricultural industries were represented, as they had been in the first series of the nation's banknotes (1913-1914), and they were joined by manufacturing and commerce. The prominent British sculptor, Paul Montford, contributed to the design of the new series. Recognised for his sculptural works on the exterior of Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance, Montford was commissioned to produce relief sculptures that formed the basis of the banknotes' vignettes. His sculptures were translated into wash drawings by Frank Manley, the artist and engraver for the Commonwealth Bank's Note Printing Branch. Manley accentuated the sculpture's three-dimensional qualities with deep shadows and touches of illusionism. A sheep in Montford's pastoral scene, for example, stands forward from the frame as if entering the viewer's space to escape branding and Manley preserves this visual conceit in his drawing. Whereas the printing of the previous series of Australian banknotes had been criticised for its poor definition, the sculptural basis of the Ash Series clarified the banknotes' imagery. During a period of record unemployment, the scenes emphasised the strength of the human figure in gestures of labour, evoking classical, heroic qualities in their poses. The sculptural forms suggested stability in the turbulence of the Great Depression and imparted a sense of solidity to paper currency. - museum.rba.gov.auCommonwealth of Australia paper one pound note in green and white tones depicting graphics and text. The obverse has a framed design with a blank portal to the left and King George VI in the right portal. The centre shows the Australian Coat of Arms, serial number, and detail over one pound symbol on a mosaic background, with signatories below. The reverse features a framed pastoral scene with farmers tending sheep, with a blank portal to the right.Obverse: ONE / 1 / 1 / ONE / COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA / K / 58 / 790230 / K / 58 / 790230 / This Note is legal tender for / ONE POUND / in the Commonwealth and in all / Territories under the control of the / Commonwealth. / [signature] / GOVERNOR / COMMONWEALTH BANK ON AUSTRALIA / [signature] / SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY Reverse: 1 /1 / 1 / 1 / PASTORALcurrency, money, pound note, pastoral scene, industry, commonwealth of australia, paul montford, king george vi, frank manly, john ash

Red based metal tin marked "Baird's Shortbread fingers", containing many MMTB paper tickets. Tin has a tartan pattern, metal lid. Tickets - both penny and decimal currency, paper flimsy, some have dates written on the back, some have been grouped using staples. Some multiple currency - e.g. 20c or 2/-. tickets themselves have not been sorted as such.trams, tramways, tickets, mmtb, decimal currency

Set of six decimal currency paper tickets for use on MMTB or MTA services. Printed on off white paper unless noted. All numbers in black. .1 - 7c, over printed City Section, printed with mauve ink Aa004858 .2 - 7c, mauve paper, black ink, Ar 793553 .3 - 12c brown ink Bc461410 .4 - 17c, green paper, black ink, An 679882 .5 - 22c, black ink Aa 560222 .6 - 75c - green ink, K417602, printed by the MTA, noted on ticket that it was available for a journey on two sections on one route. Each ticket has section numbers on either side for In or Out trips.trams, tramways, mmtb, tickets, city section, mta

The one pound note was the most prevalent banknote in circulation with the pound series, with the last series of 1953-66 having 1,066 million banknotes printed. The serial number HK 02 suggests it was printed in 1966.this item is an example of pre-decimal currency used in Australia.A green rectangular paper Australian £1 note. On the obverse is the Australian Coat of Arms and a picture of Queen Elizabeth II facing left. On the reverse are Charles Sturt and Hamilton Hume. The signatories are: H. C. Coombs, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia and Roland Wilson, Secretary to the Treasury. The watermark is Captain Cook in left oval. Behind each signature is ’ONE POUND’. The serial number is HK 456416 02 currency-australia one-pound-note

The 10/- banknote was first issued on 1 May 1913 as a blue banknote payable in gold. It was equal to a half sovereign gold coin. This is an example of Australian pre-decimal currency.A brown rectangular paper Australian ten shilling note. On the obverse side is Matthew Flinders and on the reverseis Parliament House. The signatories are : H. C. Coombs, Governor, Commonwealth Bank of Australia and Roland Wilson, Secretary to the Treasury. The watermark is Captain Cook in left oval and ’HALF’ behind each signature. The serial number is AE 617665 72currency australian-ten-shilling-note

Burroughs Adding Machines Ltd of Detroit Michigan was the first company to occupy a factory at Strathleven. During the European reconstruction in the late 1940's Burroughs built a major new factory at Strathleven in Scotland, initially to assemble machines from US-made parts and later to manufacture the full product range for the British and Commonwealth markets. Most of the post-war calculators and portables found in Australia are from the Strathleven factory.This manually operated calculator predates the the rise of the modern computer.A manually operated Burrough's adding machine. It is a greyish green plastic and has a silver handle. It has 8 columns to add manuaIly and has decimal currency. There is a roll of white (slightly yellowed) paper inserted in the top section.On front -P3981115 mathematics accounting burroughs adding-machine business calculator

Currency issued to Citizens of occupied countries by Japanese Government to maintain economic control and to reduce Western influence. Items in collection of Richard William McGILVERY, RAAF. Refer Cat No. 7287P for his Service details, photos and awards.1. One Yen currency note. One side No.1 in two corners. Picture of elderly Chinese man in middle and some Chinese writing characters. Predominately black and "No.49" imprinted in red. On other side picture of building and some Chinese characters. Also 9 names written in black pen. 2. One Yen currency note. One Yen written in corner. Picture of more modern man on one side and a crowing rooster in bottom middle. Predominately black on white paper other side blue on white paper and Chinese Symbols and One Yen.Some in Chinese. One side No.1 in corners. On other side picture of building and lots of names scribed (including McGilvery) and date 3/5/47. 2. One side "1 Yen" and No.1. Second side "1 Yen" and Chinese symbols.bcof, japanese currency

Local currency issued by Occupational Forces (Japan) in Indonesia. Aim was to control economy and reduce Western influence. Item in the collection of Richard William McGILVERY, RAAF. Refer Cat No. 7287P for his service details, photos and awards.Small note predominately dark blue in colour on white paper. 5 cent denomination. No.5 in top corners. On back No. 5 in corners and in centre on blue stylised background.Front written "De Japansche Regeering, VIJF Cent" Stamp S over CH. Back. No 5 in corner and in centre.bcof, occupational currencies

Unidentified note has the emblem of a Star and Crescent Moon which usually indicates it is of Islamic origin. Item is in the collection of Richard William McGILVERY, RAAF. Refer to Cat 7287P for service details. medals and awards.A one unit note of currency. Writing on note in some type of Arabic script. Emblem of Star and Moon on the note which usually represents Islam. Dark blue on white paper and white cloud in middle with Arabic writing. On the back are two images side by side in blue. First is some buildings see through Greek columns. Second is a clear circle with the edge containing geometric symbols. The note has been torn into 2 parts.No. 1 in corner and some unidentified Arabic script.foreign currency, richard william mcgilvery

After invasion Japanese Occupational Forces issued their own currency to control the economics, subjugated countries and to reduce Western Influence. Items in Collection of "Richard William McGILVERY, "RAAF. Refer Cat No. 7287P for his service details, photos and awards.13 No. Half Gulden notes. White paper notes with blue picture of trees. On front - 1/2 on each corner and half Gulden written on front. On back "1/2 Gulden 1/2 " written across on blue stylized symbols.Inscribed "De Japansche Regeering - Betaalt Ann Toondel." All notes stamped with SL Twild on one side.occupation currency, bcof, dutch indies

These enveloped have been used by the A.N.Z. Bank as a convenient way of storing coins. The one containing threepences is pre-decimal currency (1966) and other (five cents) is post 1966. The envelopes would have been used in all ANZ banks. The ANZ Bank was formed in 1951 when the Bank of Australasia merged with the Union Bank. The Bank of Australasia was established in Warrnambool in 1854 and in 1953 the Bank of Australasia and the Union Bank closed and the ANZ bank opened in Timor Street. Today a branch of the ANZ bank is in Liebig Street. These envelopes are of minor interest as examples of the currencies and banking procedures of yesteryear. These are two paper envelopes, glued at the ends, one for holding five cent coins and the other for threepenny coins. They are buff-coloured, with the larger envelope having blue printing and the smaller one having red printing. Larger envelope: ANZ Bank, 5c, value $2, 957-10/76 Smaller envelope: 3d. A.N.Z. Bank anz bank, threepences, warrnambool

Used WWII Pacific5 paper notes Hongkong China and Japanese occupation notes

Refer to Cat 95P. RAAF service of C.S. Cornelius NR 40595.This is a set of Invasion notes for the Philippines in WW2. Printed by Imperial Japanese Government. 1. Ten dollar note - white paper, dark green ink both sides. 2. Five dollar note - white paper, purple ink both sides. 3. One dollar note - white paper, blue ink both sides. 4. & 5. 50 cent notes - white paper, brown ink both sides. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. 10 cent notes - white paper, green ink both sides. 11. Very small note - 1 cent. Front side printed in black and green ink. Rear in light black ink.ww2, philipines, invasion money

The Imperial Japanese Govt printed their money/promissory notes for the countries they invaded (or were about to invade.) This souvenir came from Mr. C. S. Cornelius, RAAF NR 40545, Refer to Cat No 95P.This is a small paper note. It is for 10 Centavos. It was printed by the Japanese Govt WW2. White Paper with Black ink.ww2, money, philipines, i.j.a.

Refer to RAAF service of No.40595 C.S. Cornelius.This is a set of Japanese Invasion money notes in 4 values; 1. EEN Gulden - medium size note, front is printed in brown and green ink. The rear is printed in brown ink. 2. This is a small note of 1/2 Gulden, white paper with blue ink on front. rear side is in blue ink as well. 3. This is a small note of Tien cent. Printed in purple ink on both sides. 4. This is a very small note - 5 cent (VIJF). Printed in blue ink on both sides.ww2, dutch east indies, invasion money

Refer to Cat 95P Service of RAAF C.S. CORNELIUS NR 40595.This is a medium size note. First side is printed in red ink. It has a portrait of a mature lady (very possibly Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands who reigned during the war years). Its value is 50 cents. It appears to be a 'Half Gulden'. The other side is printed in green ink with Dutch and Indonesian words. It was printed by the American Bank Note Company.ww2, netherlands, east indies

The Imperial Japanese Government printed their own money for countries they invaded or were about to invade. Refer to Cat 95P. Refers to the RAAF Service of No.40595 C.S. Cornelius.This is a medium size note. It was probably painted on white paper with brown ink. It has the portrait of a Dutch East Indian dancer in traditional clothes. The rear side is printed in purple ink. It shows the Buddhas in front of two bell shaped buildings. The value is 10 (Sepoeloeh) Roepiah.ww2, japanese money, invasion

There are three paper notes printed by WW2 Japanese Govt. 1. Face value is one pound. Printing in green ink. It depicts some palm trees and a beach. The letters OA OA are printed in Red. 2. Face value is one shilling. Printing in blue ink. It depicts Palm Trees and a beach. The letters OC OC are printed in red ink. 3. Face value is 1/2 shilling, purple ink. Depicts Palm trees and a beach.ww2, invasion money, japan

"Roy Jones" NX942681. Money - cream paper with shades of blue artwork. 2. Money - cream paper, coloured artwork.1. "The Japanese Government" - One shilling and palm trees. 2. Japanese characters, mountain, flowers. 50.japanese invasion money, ww2

Albert Edward Corrie VX 47191.1 10 Yen note - paper, dark grey print, portrait right side back - green print, 10 YEN - laminated .2 1 LIVRE note - paper, green, pink print, sketch of ancient ruins left side front back - red print, arabic script - laminated.1 PRINT - JAPANESE .2 BANQUE De SYRIE ET Du LIBAN DAMAS len SEPTEMBER 1939bank notes, foreign currency

Paper notes used for foreign currency. A collection of bank notes from Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, Military Notes, Hong Kong, China, East Timor and Vietnam.See photo filesbank notes, military notes

Items collected by William Godfrey SELWYN No 421514 RAAF. Enlisted 1.1.1942. Age 21 years. At discharge from the RAAF on 30.11.1945 he was a Warrant Officer at RAF Beccles (Airfield in Britain).Japanese & Allied paper bills: .1) Allied Military Currency 10 Lire - issued in Italy. .2) The Japanese Government 1/2 Shilling. .3) Allied Military Currency 50 Lire - issued in Italy.japanese currency, allied currency italy

The Indian rupee is the official currency of the Republic of India. Notes of all denominations issued by the Reserve Bank of India after independence have the Ashoka Pillar and the Seal of Reserve Bank of India. The first banknote printed by independent India was a 1 rupee note.Indian 1 and 2 rupee notes were discontinued in 1995 and only coins used. However The Reserve Bank of India will soon put new one rupee currency notes back into circulation.A greyish green 1 rupee paper Indian note. One one side is a picture of a one rupee coin in the top left corner and "GOVERNMENT OF INDIA" with Indian script below. On the other side is "GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ONE RUPEE" and the serial number. It is signed by the Secretary, Minister of Finance.In the top right corner is a picture of the Ashoka Pillar.Signed by L.K.Jhacurrency india-one-rupee money

This bank cheque originated from the Bank of Australasia, Melbourne branch. It was issued on 3rd December 1885 to a person surnamed Slater for £71.11.5 (seventy-one pounds, eleven shillings and five pence). The parallel lines are called Cheque Crossed and mean that only Slater and no one else could receive the payment and that it would have been paid into Slater's bank account, not exchanged for cash. The embossed dots signify that the cheque amount was also paid to be the bearer of the cheque. Slater would have visited the bank to deposit the money into his or her own account. The cheque was printed by Sands & McDougall, a long-standing Melbourne printing and stationery company. It was then Stamped at the bank with its own unique number before it was issued to the customer. From its previously perforated edges, it is presumed that the cheque was part of a page of cheques, likely to be contained within a book of similar cheques ready for use. The Bank of Australia was incorporated by Royal Charter of England in March 1834. It had its Australian beginnings on 14th December 1835, opening in Sydney. The Acting Superintendent of the bank at that time was David Charters McArthur. He was Superintendent from 1867-to 1876. The Melbourne branch opened on 28th August 1838 in a two-roomed brick cottage on the north side of Little Collins Street, where two huge mastiff dogs were used at night to guard the bank. The government also provided an armed military sentinel. Due to the bank's rapid growth, a new building for the Melbourne branch was opened in 1840 at 75 Collins Street West. By 1879 the bank had been upgraded to a magnificent two-storey building on the corners of Collins and Queens Streets, with the entry on Collins Street. In 1951 the Bank of Australasia amalgamated with the Union Bank to form the Australia and New Zealand Bank, now known as the ANZ. Then in 1970, the ANZ merged with both the ES&A and the London Bank of Australia to form the ANZ Banking Group Limited. The ANZ Banking Group Ltd kindly donated a variety of historic items from the Bank of Australasia. BANK of AUSTRALASIA, WARRNAMBOOL – In 1854 Warrnambool had two banks, the Union Bank and the Bank of Australasia. Later, completely different bank businesses opened; in 1867 the National Bank of Australasia, then in 1875 the Colonial Bank of Australasia. The original Warrnambool branch of the Bank of Australasia was established in July 1854, and operated from a leased cottage on Merri Street, close to Liebig Street. The bank next bought a stone building previously erected by drapers Cramond & Dickson on the corner of Timor and Gibson Streets. Samuel Hannaford was a teller and then Manager at the Warrnambool branch from 1855 to 1856 and the Warrnambool Council chose that bank for its dealings during 1856-57. In 1859 Roberts & Co. was awarded the contract to build the new Bank of Australasia branch for the sum of £3,000. The land was on a sand hill on the northeast corner of Timor and Kepler Streets and had been bought in 1855 from investor James Cust. The new building opened on May 21, 1860. The bank continued to operate there until 1951 when it merged with the Union Bank to form the ANZ Bank, which continued operating from its Liebig Street building. Warrnambool City Council purchased the former Bank of Australasia building in 1971 and renovated it, then on 3rd December 1973 it was officially opened as the Art Gallery by Cr. Harold Stephenson and Gallery Director John Welsh. The Gallery transferred to the purpose-built building in Liebig Street in 1986 and the old bank building is now the Gallery club. Staff at the Bank of Australasia in Warrnambool included the following men but others were also involved: Samuel Hannaford, Teller then Manager from 1855-1856; W H Palmer, Manager from January 1857 until November 1869 when the Teller Basil Spence was promoted to Manager; H B Chomley, Manager from April 1873 and still there in 1886; A Butt, Manager in 1895-1904; J R McCleary Accountant and Acting Manager for 12 months, until 1900; A Kirk, Manager 1904; J Moore, staff until his transfer to Bendigo in December 1908; J S Bath was Manager until 1915; C C Cox, Manager until April 1923; Richard C Stanley, Manager 1923 to April 1928. The bank cheque has significance through its association with the Bank of Australasia. The early Australian bank was established in 1834 by Royal Charter and opened in Sydney, Australia, in Sydney in 1835. The bank had many Australian offices in November 1877, particularly on the east and south coasts. Victoria had 45 percent of all Offices. The bank cheque is significant as an early example of financial management of money and money exchange or transfer.Bank cheque of the Bank of Australasia, Melbourne branch. The rectangular paper has three sides that have been perforated. It is printed in blue with bank's Insignia of a heraldic shield of sheep hung by their waists and ships in full sail. Embossed Stamp Duty mark. Embossed dots. Handwritten black ink details Dated 3rd Dec 1885. Printed in Melbourne by Sands & McDougall. Diagonal parallel lines are across the cheque. Printed: "Bank of Australasia, MELBOURNE (75 COLLINS ST. WEST)." "454,358" "Sands & McDougall, Melbourne" Embossed stamp: Symbol of Crown above double oval lines " - STAMP DUTY" "ONE PENNY" Embossed dots forming test "7 PAID T2" Handwritten: "3rd Dec. [188] 5" "134 - Slater" "Seventy one pounds 11/S 5p" "£71.11.5" Signature: (undecipherable) flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, bank cheque, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, bank of australasia, boa, union bank, australia & new zealand bank, anz bank, bank note, melbourne, slater, sands & mcdougall, chrssed cheque, embossed dots, paid cheque

This book was part of a large group of books referred to as the Pattison Collection, which belonged to the Warrnambool Public Library, part of the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute. About RALPH ERIC PATTISON and the ‘PATTISON COLLECTION’ The ‘Pattison Collection’ is a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, founded in Warrnambool in 1853. By 1886 the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute (WMI) had grown to have a Library, Museum and Fine Arts Gallery, with a collection of “… choice productions of art and valuable specimens in almost every branch and many wonderful national curiosities, are now to be seen there, including historic relics of the town and district.” It later included a School of Design. Although it was very well patronised, the WMI was led to ask the City Council to take it over in 1911 due to a lack of financial support. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Public Library as it was then called. Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up a home in Warrnambool. In 1935 when Pattison accepted the position as City Librarian for the Warrnambool City Council his huge challenge was to make a functional library within two rooms of the Mechanics’ Institute. He tirelessly cleaned, cleared and sorted a disarrayed collection of old books, jars of preserved specimens and other items reserved for exhibition in the city’s museum. He developed and updated the library with a wide variety of books for all tastes, including reference books for students; a difficult task to fulfil during the years following the Depression. He converted all of the lower areas of the building into a library, reference room and reading room for members and the public. The books were sorted and stored using a cataloguing and card index system that he had developed himself. He also prepared the upper floor of the building and established the Art Gallery and later the Museum, a place to exhibit the many old relics that had been stored for years for this purpose. One of the treasures he found was a beautiful ancient clock, which he repaired, restored and enjoyed using in his office during the years of his service there. Ralph Pattison was described as “a meticulous gentleman whose punctuality, floorless courtesy and distinctive neat dress were hallmarks of his character, and ‘his’ clock controlled his daily routine and his opening and closing of the library’s large heavy doors to the minute.” Pattison took leave from 1942 to 1945 to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, Volunteer Reserve as Lieutenant. A few years later he converted one of the Museum’s rooms into a Children’s Library, stocking it with suitable books for the younger generation. This was an instant success. In the 1950’s he had the honour of being appointed to the Victorian Library Board and received more inspiration from the monthly conferences in Melbourne. He was sadly retired in 1959 after over 23 years of service, due to the fact that he had gone over the working age of council officers. However, he continued to take a very keen interest in the continual development of the Library until his death in 1969. THE NEW WARRNAMBOOL LIBRARY When the WMI building was pulled down in 1963 a new civic building was erected on the site and the new Warrnambool Library, on behalf of the City Council, took over all the holdings of the WMI. At this time some of the items were separated and identified as the ‘Pattison Collection’, named after Pattison. Eventually, the components of the WMI were distributed from the Warrnambool Library to various places, including the Art Gallery, Historical Society and Flagstaff Hill. Later some were even distributed to other regional branches of Corangamite Regional Library and passed to and fro. It is difficult now to trace just where all of the items have ended up. The books at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village generally display stamps and markings from Pattison as well as a variety of other institutions including the Mechanics’ Institute itself. The Pattison Collection, along with other items at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, was originally part of the Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s collection. The Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute Collection is primarily significant in its totality, rather than for the individual objects it contains. Its contents are highly representative of the development of Mechanics' Institute libraries across Australia, particularly Victoria. A diversity of publications and themes has been amassed, and these provide clues to our understanding of the nature of and changes in the reading habits of Victorians from the 1850s to the middle of the 20th century. The collection also highlights the Warrnambool community’s commitment to the Mechanics’ Institute, reading, literacy and learning in the regions, and proves that access to knowledge was not impeded by distance. These items help to provide a more complete picture of our community’s ideals and aspirations. The Warrnambool Mechanics Institute book collection has historical and social significance for its strong association with the Mechanics Institute movement and the important role it played in the intellectual, cultural and social development of people throughout the latter part of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth century. The collection of books is a rare example of an early lending library and its significance is enhanced by the survival of an original collection of many volumes. The Warrnambool Mechanics' Institute’s publication collection is of both local and state significance. The Currency Lass Author: James Devaney Publisher: Cornstalk Date: 1927 The label on the spine cover with typed text PAT FIC DEV Paste down front end paper has a sticker from Warrnambool Mechanics Institute and Free Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service. Front loose end paper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service. flagstaff hil, warrnambool, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, book, pattison collection, warrnambool library, warrnambool mechanics’ institute, ralph eric pattison, corangamite regional library service, warrnambool city librarian, mechanics’ institute library, victorian library board, warrnambool books and records, warrnambool children’s library, the currency lass, james devaney