This is the original book “Warrnambool Past & Present Sixty Years of Progress 1847-1907” that was published in 1907. It features photos of Warrnambool, taken by Edward Vidler in 1907, who matches them with some earlier prints. Vidler had a photographic studio in Liebig Street Warrnambool. Compiled by Edward A. Vidler, Secretary, Warrnambool Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers, and Warrnambool and District Progress League The front cover of this little but significant book of photographs, advertisements and commentary reads “Warrnambool Past & Present. Sixty Years of Progress – 1847-1907. Illustrated by 100 views of Old and New Warrnambool. Price : One Shilling.” The title page of the book states “Warrnambool : Past and Present. The Metropolis of the Western District. Compiled from contemporary records by Edward A. Vidler, Secretary, Warrnambool Chamber of Commerce and Manufacturers, and Warrnambool and District Progress League. Illustrated. Printed by The Thompson Printing Co., Koroit Street Warrnambool.” In 1984 a facsimile reproduction of Vidler's publication was printed by the 'Osburne Group'. (The Group was named after Richard Osburne who owned the first newspaper in Warrnambool, called The Examiner. The donor of this book was another member of the three people who formed the Osburne Group). This newer book is an A4 portrait style format with Vidler's publication on the top of each page, and a matching 1984 photograph with contemporary comments on the lower half of the page. This book is significant record of the development and changes of Warrnambool therough the years since it was first settled to more recent times.Warrnambool Past & Present. Compiled by Edward D. Vidler. Sixty Years of Progress 1847-1907. Cream, soft cover, A5 landscape orientation, black and white print book, apart from front cover's title, which is red print. Printed by The Thompson Printing Co. Koroit Street, Warrnambool. Original 1907 publication. Includes photographs, advertisements and commentary on Warrnambool and the Western District of Victoria. Price was One Shilling. flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, warrnambool history book, vidler’s warrnambool past & present, warrnambool historical photographs, edward a. vidler, pictorial work of warrnambool

These booklets were produced in 1896 by the Warrnambool photographer, Joseph Jordan as a souvenir of Warrnambool with three of them being also souvenirs of the 1896-7 Warrnambool Industrial and Art Exhibition. Joseph Jordan, born in England, took up photography whilst on military service in India. In 1890 he set up as a professional photographer in Warrnambool and became well-known for his family portraits and official photographs of civic dignitaries in the town. He retired in 1916 and the business was continued by his son, Arthur. The Warrnambool Industrial and Art Exhibition was held over three months in 1896-7 in the civic buildings with some temporary buildings added. 70,000 people were said to have attended over that time with concerts, operas, art and sporting competitions and many exhibits. Joseph Jordan had the exclusive rights to publish a souvenir booklet. These booklets are of prime importance because:- 1. They are invaluable pictorial records of Warrnambool and district in the late 1890s. 2. They contain valuable advertisements which give us pictorial representations and other information on businesses in Warrnambool in the late 1890s. 3. Three of them relate directly to the Warrnambool Industrial and Art Exhibition and contain an article dealing with the Exhibition. 4. They contain a written description of Warrnambool in the late 1890s. 5. They show the work of one of our most important photographers, Joseph Jordan and probably also the work of his son, Arthur. These booklets have been published in 1896 by the Warrnambool photographer, Joseph Jordan and contain 15 pages of black and white photographs of Warrnambool and district, many advertisements for local and Melbourne business and an article of the town of Warrnambool. Three of the booklets also contain information on the 1896-7 Warrnambool Industrial and Art Exhibition. Booklet One and Two – dark red hard cover with the title in gold and ornamental scroll work. The cover printing of Booklet Two is almost obliterated. The books are glued and reinforced with string. Booklets Three, Four and Five – soft covers in beige tonings with the title in black print and featuring ornamental scroll work with a sketch of a bird. The covers have much foxing. The booklets are bound with black and brown tape. Booklet One: ‘Ivy Morden’ Booklet Two; ‘Mr Peter Gibbons’ joseph jordan, warrnambool industrial and art exhibition