Name/TitleFirst Treasury offices, William Street, Melbourne, c. 1855
About this objectA lithograph of a busy street scene showing a gold escort, comprising of at least four wagons guarded by mounted and foot police, arriving in front of the first government Treasury offices located in William Street close to Flagstaff Gardens. This image at the SLV has the caption, "The Treasury, Melbourne / Arrival of the Monster Gold Escort", engraved by Thomas Ham.
The gold was stored here and at Melbourne's major banks from 1853. However, these facilities became inadequate to house the large quantities of gold arriving from the goldfields, and in 1857 a new Treasury building was planned to centralise the storage of the gold deposits.
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.
MakerCooper & Co (firm)
Maker RoleSlide Maker
MakerHam, Thomas, 1821-1874.
Maker RoleEngraver
Inscription and MarksMount: Spring St [sic] / c. 1855 William St / First Treasury Building
Measurements8.2 x 8.2 cm
Period1850-1860
Object TypeGlass slide
Subject and Association KeywordsSelby, Isaac, 1859-1956
Subject and Association KeywordsStreetscapes
Subject and Association KeywordsWilliam Street (Melbourne, Vic.)
Subject and Association KeywordsOld Treasury Building (Melbourne, Vic.)
Subject and Association KeywordsGold escorts
Subject and Association KeywordsHam, Thomas, 1821-1874.
Named CollectionImages collection
Object numberGS-EM-68
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
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