Historical information

It belonged to Beryl Mair of 20 Barton Street, Surrey Hills and was given to her by Mr W Sandoe on 12.11.1928. There are entries from family members and class mates from Mont Albert Central School (MACS). The first entry is written by her father, Dave Mair.
Entries from: D Mair, Lance Young, Norma Dunn, I Goodes, Lorraine Potts, Mary Griffin, L E Jarman, J Stalker, Jean Fowler, Ailsa Hank (with an ink drawing of a cottage), May Leach, Merle Botten, Beryl Skinner, Enid Marro(w ?), Betty (S ?)oule, Fred A Teague, A Mock, Kath Paul, Melva Dare, Marjorie Smith, J Hargreave, Ethel Lillifant. Three entries are quotation only. One page lists teachers of Mont Albert Central School: E C Cairns, E E Holden, Alfred Harley, R Blackburne, R W Campbell, M (?) Sheahan, ------- (undecipherable), H McConville. Those dated are mostly from 1930.The Mair family were resident in Barton Street for several generations. Beryl's father Dave Mair was a keen sportsman and founder of the Kangaroo Social Club of cricketers. Beryl married Lance Young. This is part of a large collection relating to the Mair, Deakin and Young families.

Significance

In Europe autograph books have a history that can be traced back to 15th century university students. In Australia autograph albums were particularly popular towards the end of the 19th century, although there are known examples as far back as the 1830s. The increase in popularity coincides with printing and book binding becoming more affordable.
Autograph books came in many sizes but were typically small with blank pages, usually in pastel colours.
The books were often exchanged so the gathering of autographs was a very social pastime. Pages were filled with not only names, signatures and personal details but also poems, limericks, drawings, personal messages, small pieces of verse, and other mementos, such as pressed flowers, locks of hair and even embroidery. Although they could be very personal, unlike a diary they were meant to be viewed as part of the exchange.
Autograph books from the 1950s may have a different focus. Although it remained common to collect the autographs of friends it was also highly desirable to collect the signatures of the famous, especially rock and television stars.
Autograph books are of social relevance because they reflect the sentiment of the era of creation; they can also be reflective of social change, major political events or new inventions.

Physical description

A small autograph book with a mottled brown cover and faded pastel pages with gold edging. The end pages are detailed in beige and pink. There are multiple entries, those dated are mostly from 1930.

Inscriptions & markings

Front cover: "Autographs" in gold within a gold oval.
Front inside page in black and red ink: "BERYL MAIR / 20 / BARTON / STREET , SURREY HILLS / from / MR W SANDOE / 12/11/28"
Embossed in back cover, lower right: "MADE IN ENGLAND"