eHive Object Details

Name/TitlePanoramic view of Melbourne, looking west from the General Post Office towards Law Courts, c. 1899

About this objectThis photograph has been taken from the third floor roof or clock tower of the General Post Office, which is located on south-east corner of Bourke and Elizabeth streets. The focal point of the photograph, on the middle horizon, is the large and imposing building and dome of the Supreme Court, which is located to the west on William Street, between Little Bourke Street and Lonsdale Street. A third level was added to the General Post Office in 1887.

Another distinct architectural feature, to the left of the dome, is the watchtower of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade Station No 2, situated at 447 Little Bourke Street. Another feature, not quite so obvious, to the right of the dome, is the tower of the Italianate mansion, Rostella, owned by Sir T. N. Fitzgerald, surgeon, located in Lonsdale Street. This private house was demolished in 1970.

Also seen are advertisements for businesses in Little Bourke Street, which runs across the middle of the photograph from the lower right to left of the dome. In the middle of the photograph is a sign for the bone dust manufacturing business of J. Cockbill, whose address was 407 Post Office Place, another name for this section of Little Bourke Street. "Dead horses and cattle removed" reads the sign. Opposite at 400 Lt Bourke St is the business of T. P. Power, Saddlers & Ironmonger. In the middle foreground is a stand-alone sign advertising Frank Vial & Sons, Leather Belt Factory. The Vial factory was to the north at the corner of Queen and A'Beckett streets. Just behind the Frank Vial sign is painted T. Warburton. Thomas Warburton had an ironmongery store in Warburton Lane off Lt Bourke St. Warburton Lane still exists today. Between the dome and the watchtower is a sign for Fallshaw Bros., Billiard Tables & Furniture, which was located at 191 Queen St and 437 Lt Bourke St. Between the dome and Rostella's tower is a sign, Jacobs Hart & Co, Tobacco Merchants, whose address was 225-231 Queen Street.

According to the Sands & McDougall Directory for 1900 there are hotels at most of the corners along Little Bourke Street, but the only one visibly named in the photograph is the Racing Club Hotel, seen in the lower right.

One of the many glass slides purchased from retailers or specifically made for illustrated lectures given by Isaac Selby between c. 1930 and c. 1955 to raise money for the Old Pioneers Memorial Fund. Selby numbered the slide 117.

For more information about this image contact Royal Historical Society of Victoria

MakerCooper, Henry

Maker RolePhotographer

Date Made1899

Inscription and MarksInscribed in white on lower left of image : "120"

Measurements8.2 x 8.2 cm

Period1890-1900

Object TypePhotograph

Subject and Association KeywordsSelby, Isaac, 1859-1956

Subject and Association KeywordsMelbourne (Victoria.)

Subject and Association KeywordsSupreme Court (Melbourne, Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsLittle Bourke Street (Melbourne, Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsMetropolitan Fire Brigade (Melbourne, Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsFrank Vial and Co., Universal Belt Factory (Melbourne, Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsFallshaw Bros. (Firm)

Subject and Association KeywordsHoddle Grid

Named CollectionImages collection

Object numberGS-BCS-24

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved