This item is from the ‘Pattison Collection’, a collection of books and records that was originally owned by the Warrnambool Mechanics’ Institute, which was 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 lack of financial support led the WMI in 1911 to ask the City Council to take it over. In 1935 Ralph Pattison was appointed as City Librarian to establish and organise the Warrnambool Library as it was then called. 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 Ralph 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. RALPH ERIC PATTISON Ralph Eric Pattison was born in Rockhampton, Queensland, in 1891. He married Maude Swan from Warrnambool in 1920 and they set up home in Warrnambool. In 1935 Pattison accepted a 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 area 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 during 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 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 History of Playing Cards with anecdotes of their use in Conjuring, Fortune-Telling, and Card-Sharping. Edited by Rev Ed. S.Taylor and others Publisher: John Camden Hotten Date: 1865Label on spine cover with black ink text 795.4 TAY Pastedown front endpaper has sticker from Warrnambool Public Library covered by a sticker from Corangamite Regional Library Service Front loose endpaper has a stamp from Corangamite Regional Library Service warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, shipwrecked-artefact, 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, great ocean road, the history of playing cards, rev ed. s.taylor

From L-R : Nathan Spielvogel, Hector Young, Percy Watt and George Holden. . Taken on the front porch at Illfracombe in 1908 after the four men had enjoyed a weekend fishing There appears to be a photo hanging on the wall in the background which looks like it could be of a young Marion Watt and the family's dog, a golden retriever In "The Gum Sucker at Home: Bound for Croajingolong 1908" by Nathan Spielvogel, published in Mary Gilbert's Personalities and Stories of the Early Orbost District, 3rd edition, p. 107-116, Spielvogel talks of his trip to Orbost, and fishing with Watt, Bruce and Young aboard Percy Watt's boat, the Maris Stella. Spielvogel's story says Young was the secretary at James & Birds auctioneers and "was one of the builders of the first foot bridge over the Backwater". It says George Holden was a Bank Manager at the Bank of Victoria. (info. from Campbell Watt) This photograph shows Mr Nathan Spielvogel on the left. He was a school teacher at the Orbost State School following Mr Rowe. Nathan Frederick Spielvogel (1874-1956), teacher, writer and historian, was born on 10 May 1874 at Ballarat, Victoria, son of Newman Frederick Spielvogel, pawnbroker, and his wife Hannah, née Cohen. As well as his stories he published a number of books about the history of Ballarat. Spielvogel taught at Orbost for at least a year Nathan Frederick Spielvogel (1874–1956) was a teacher, writer and historian. As a country schoolteacher, he traveled widely in the eastern Australian outback and also made a journey to London. Spielvogel gained distinction as one of the only Australian Jewish writers of his time. Many of his early books were best-sellers. He has an association with the history of Orbost having spent a year as a teacher at Orbost. The Watt family were early Marlo settlers.A black / white photograph / postcard of four men sitting around a small table playing cards. Two of the men have pillows behind their heads. Three are smoking pipes.on back - "On R - N. Spielvogel"spielvogel-nathan-orbost

The Grinton Collection. Unknown 38th Bn soldiers at this point. Refer Cat No. 1280 for Jack Grintons service history.Photograph - framed. Photograph - black and white photograph on paper depicts three men (soldiers) seated at a table, playing cards, inside a timber barracks. Frame - timber, light varnish finish, Perspex front, cardboard backing."Group 1: Living behind the lines". :1. Game of Cards".framed accessories, camera on the somme, ww1, 38th bn, grinton

Playing cards of Japanese aircraft, black & white, design backing. .1) 9 of Clubs: 97 Dive Bomber like US Douglas A-24. .2) 10 of Club: 96 Mitsubishi H/Bomber - Army. .3) Jack of Clubs: 97 Kawasaki Flying Boat - Navy. .4) Queen of Clubs: Fiat BR-20 H/Bomber - Army.toys - games, documents - cards, military history - recreation, passchendaele barracks trust

Card set belonged to Keith David Livingston VX136969. Refer 1911P for service history.Set of Red Cross playing cards, white back ground, red edging, all print in red."A gift from the Australian Red Cross Society"recreations - games - cards, red cross

Fold up game card. On the cover ''With the compliments of A. Jackson's Belmont Hotel, Kennington, Bendigo'' Inside on the left column for the name of eight players on the right a blank square. How to play: each player selects a number, apply heat to back of square marked, result and winning number will appear. (two copies of the card)bendigo, hotel, belmont hotel

White single card with slightly round corners. Grey music lines on the card. A man wearing a white shirt and grey suit is playing a violin. Green/grey shadow behind him. A verse titled 'Then You'll Remember Me' is printed below in brown. The verse is by M. C. & printed in brown. 'A Merry Christmas' printed in gold at the top.person, greeting cards, malone collection, malone collection, greeting cards

Photograph: b lack and white photograph mounted on dark brown board, no frame, of 10 men and women standing, 6 men seated playing cards. Appears to be a theatre group. Men are dressed in suits, peaked cloth caps, women dressed in almost identical costumes, dark short sleeved dresses with scarves around V necks. On floor - rug with fox skin. One man has card inserted in cuff of trousers.W. Vincent Kelly, Mitchell St., Bendigo.entertainment, theatre, group portrait card players, w. vincent kelly, theatre, group portrait

Card Game - Quartetts (Dealing with Dickens). Set of cards based on stories of Dickens (the 'suits' of this game. Appears to be a full set of cards (4 per suit.) Directions for playing are on a card. No manufacturer's name. Old catalog number on box in ink - Urecreations, games, card

PACK OF PLAYING CARDS FOR MUSICAL EUCHRElocal history, persopnel effects, playing cards

Two photographs laminated upon pink cardboard. [a] Uncaptioned photograph of boys playing in schoolground. [b] photocopy of two report cards dated 1953, and 1952, Grades 1a and 1c respectively issued in name of Susan Forbes. Subjects Number, Spelling, Reading, Writing assessed with teacher comments and remarks below.bendigo, institutions, golden square primary school

An envelope containing 28 George III In memory of the golden time guinea brass token + 36 half guinea and 12 heart shaped tokens. On the envelope it states they are German from the 20s' - 30s' probably used to play card games.German card playing chips 20's 30'sentertainment, card gambling chips, lydia chancellor, collection, entertainment, gambling, cards, gambling chips, games

Colour photograph. Unidentified man playing violin. Sunglasses. Business cards on notice board.entertainment, music, musician

Colour photograph, rounded corners. Man wearing sunglasses playing violin. Notice board with many business cards. Other mans head. Les Dow Wedderburn Old Timers.entertainment, music, musician