Historical information

This book was awarded to James Thomas Hargreaves for first prize for arithmetic in the sixth form in 1889. James enrolled in Ballarat College in 1889 at the age of 17. In the original resister the parent/guardian listed is sister, Miss Eliza Hargreaves with the address being P.O Wallace. The register also notes that the previous school was Matriculation Class, High School.

Significance

Presbyterian educators placed great value on a classical education matched with diligence in study. Book prizes were highly regarded and academic success admired. In the school’s early years prizes were ordered direct from London and had the school crest embossed in gold on the front or back cover. Many of the prizes given in early years were returned to the school to equip the Weatherly Library when it opened in 1936.

Physical description

Bound in black calf with marble edging. Six raised bands on spine with gold decoration; gold writing on second compartment with red calf; College crest embossed on front cover; black and white frontise piece, end papers marbled, slight foxing on pages, 437 p.

Inscriptions & markings

Book plate inside front cover: college crest/ Arithmetic/ Sixth Form,/ First Prize./ Awarded to/ Jas Hargreaves/ Christmas, 1889.