Historical information

The photograph offers significant information relating to late Victorian / Federation colour schemes and fencing.The block fronted villa has a corrugated iron roof and a flat projecting verandah, ornamented with a trellis design of timber. The front window features a timber shade, mounted on brackets. The treatment of the block-fronted panels shows that there is an attempt to highlight imitation quoining through use of a darker colour. The windows and door are also in this darker shade. The front fence and gate are made of wooden pickets. It is unlikely that the photograph was taken at the time of the villa's construction given the size of the shrub/tree in the front garden.

Significance

Subdivision plans are historically important documents used as evidence of the growth of suburbs in Australia. They frequently provide information about when the land was sold on which a built structure was subsequently constructed as well as evidence relating to surveyors and real estate and financial agents. The numerous subdivision plans in the Kew Historical Society's collection represent working documents, ranging from the initial sketches made in planning a subdivision to printed plans on which auctioneers or agents listed the prices for which individual lots were sold. In a number of cases, the reverse of a subdivision plan in the collection includes a photograph of a house that was also for sale by the agent. These photographs provide significant heritage information relating house design and decoration, fencing and household gardens.

Physical description

A real estate photograph, mounted on brown card, showing a double fronted weatherboard villa, located in Kew, Victoria. On the reverse of the photograph is a subdivision plan for the Altyre Estate.

Inscriptions & markings

Stamped on mount: Top - "KEW. Close tram. Fine View. / W.B. Villa Containing 8 Rooms. / Up-to-date Conveniences. EL Etc." Below - "Land 40 x 165. 615 pounds. Sold"