Historical information

This book was written and produced by Edward Vidler, Born in England, Edward Vider, a writer, publisher, journalist and editor, was in Geelong in the 1880s where he produce a commemorative volume of that city. In Warrnambool in the early 1900s Vidler was Secretary of the Warrnambool Chamber of Commerce and Manufactures and of the Warrnambool and District Progress League. In 1907 he produced ‘Warrnambool Past and Present’ to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of Warrnambool. In 1907 he also organized the project that produced the Warrnambool Pioneer Honour Board. Later Vidler lived in Melbourne where he edited magazines and published his own and other writings. He was interested in the promotion of the arts and was a keen naturalist. He was a foundation member of the group that established the Maranoa Native Gardens in Balwyn.

Significance

These books are of the utmost significance as ‘Warrnambool Past and Present’ is a seminal work in the history of the Warrnambool – second only in importance to Richard Osburne’s History of Warrnambool published in 1887. ‘Warrnambool Past and Present’ is noted for the accuracy of Vidler’s research, its complementary value to Osborne’s history and its presentation of historically valuable material that might otherwise be lost. The photographs in the book are of excellent quality and of great historical value and continue to be scanned and copied today. Intact original copies of this book are very rare today.

Physical description

These are five copies of ‘Warrnambool Past and Present – 88 pages, text by Edward Vidler, 120 black and white photographs and illustrations, local advertisements, original soft cover is missing in all copies.
.1 Full original text with letter insert from donor and blue cardboard cover with plastic overlay and black binding
.2 Full original copy with added index and soft cover with plastic overlay and red binding
.3 Original text to page 76 with added photocopied pages and blue cardboard cover
.4 Original text to page 72 and added photocopied pages and no cover with staple binding and some adhesive tape, tattered first and last pages
.5 Original text to page 80, added photocopied pages and no cover and no binding

Inscriptions & markings

.1 Letter from Margaret Wright, Queenscliffe Historical Society
.3. ‘S. Wickham’