eHive Object Details

Name/TitleCollins Street (south side) looking east from Swanston Street, Melbourne, c. 1864

About this objectA view of the south side of Collins Street looking east, taken from the opposite side of the intersection with Swanston Street. This image was reproduced in "The Argus" in March 1930 from a photograph held by the Yorick Club. The slide image was probably reproduced from the newspaper photograph.

In the foreground is the Victoria Fountain which was officially turned on in August 1859. It was eighteen feet high and had six elegantly carved dolphins at its base. The fountain was in place for several years until traffic built up in the intersection and it had to be removed. A large crowd assembled to witness the inauguration of the fountain. A few years later, in 1867, a large crowd again assembled in this intersection to watch the Duke of Edinburgh lay the foundation stone of the Melbourne Town Hall. The same buildings can be seen in the background of GS-EM-67, an image taken at this event. (Also, Remembering Melbourne: 1850-1960, p. 166)

On the southeast corner of Collins and Swanston streets, on the right of the image, stands Neave's Buildings, which was occupied by various businesses, including engravers and land agents, until it was demolished in 1885. One of these businesses was G Damman & Co (No. 62), tobacconists, which occupied this corner from 1854 to its demolition. (A City Lost and Found: Whelan the Wrecker's Melbourne by Robyn Annear)

Other buildings seen are the Argus Hotel and Restaurant (Nos. 68, 70), and the Argus Newspaper Office (Nos. 74, 76).

The street is empty except for a light-coloured horse and cart.

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 probably showed this slide during his many lectures on old or early Melbourne, given during the 1930s. "When Melbourne Takes Rank as a City", was given on 12th February, 1948, at the Assembly Hall, Collins Street.

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

Measurements8.2 x 8.2 cm

Period1860-1870

Object TypeGlass slide

Subject and Association KeywordsSelby, Isaac, 1859-1956

Subject and Association KeywordsCollins Street (Melbourne, Vic.)

Subject and Association KeywordsStreetscapes

Subject and Association KeywordsFountains

Subject and Association KeywordsArgus (Newspaper)

Subject and Association KeywordsG. Damman & Co.

Named CollectionImages collection

Object numberGS-CS-18

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved