No. 104 104 No. The glittering silk and velvet at acquiring, preserving, pageant costume on the cover researching, cataloguing and is one of many extraordinary digitising collections – from rare 2020 March costumes designed by Thelma photographs of 19th-century Thomas in the 1930s. An article western Victoria, to early 20th- on Thomas, and one on Manton’s century glass plate negatives, to department store – a household contemporary photobooks. name in Melbourne in the same And we shine a light on period – give a taste of mid-20th- the Ken Pound Collection of century style. children’s books and ephemera, The countless photographs and hear from an illustrator who held by the State Library span used the Library’s Children’s the history of photography. Literature Collection for We look behind the scenes inspiration for her own work. JOURNAL No. 104 No. RRP $29.95 MAKE A BEQUEST JOIN OUR CORPORATE One of the most meaningful ways you can MEMBER NETWORK ensure that State Library Victoria continues Enjoy complimentary and discounted to thrive is to leave a bequest. Those who access to our stunning venues to host your make a bequest to the Library are invited to own memorable events. Enjoy unique join the Redmond Barry Society, which was behind-the-scenes experiences and bespoke established to recognise the generosity and collection viewings. Connect with thought- support of Library benefactors. Members leaders at our exclusive Corporate Speaker receive invitations to exhibition openings, Series program. collection viewings and exclusive functions To become a Corporate Member throughout the year. please contact Elisabeth Kerdelhué from To leave a lasting legacy through a bequest, the Corporate Partnerships team on please contact Judy Buchan, Philanthropy (03) 8664 7591 or go to slv.vic.gov.au/get- Manager, on (03) 8664 7460 or go to involved/join-our-corporate-membership- slv.vic.gov.au/get-involved/donate/make- program bequest Robert Russell, Settlement of Melbourne from the southern side of the Yarra River (detail), watercolour and oil, 1838, Pictures Collection H3882 No. 104 March 2020 2 The La Trobe Journal No. 104 March 2020 THE LA TROBE JOURNAL is published by State Library Copies of the journal may be Above left: Cover detail from, The Victoria twice yearly, in March and purchased from Readings at State Pennant Fairies, Melbourne: British September. Library Victoria, and it is free online. Imperial Oil Co., 1923, Rare Books slv.vic.gov.au/stories/la-trobe-journal Collection, LTP A823.3 P381B Guest editor: Sally Heath Managing editor: Margot Jones, Back issues can be viewed online Above right: Detail from, Thelma Publishing Project Manager, State through the State Library website. Thomas performing as Columbine Library Victoria slv.vic.gov.au/stories/la-trobe-journal in A Merry Death, Ab-Intra Studio Copy editor: Penny Mansley For issues up to 2011 go to: Theatre, Adelaide, September 1933, Proofreader: Greg Alford latrobejournal.slv.vic.gov.au/ photographer unknown, Mitchell Design by Pfisterer + Freeman latrobejournal/index.html Library, State Library of New South Layout by Mark Brewster Wales, MLMSS 7769/2. Courtesy Printed by Printgraphics, Victoria, Unless otherwise acknowledged, Perpetual Private Australia all illustrations are works from the collections of State Library Victoria Front cover: Jessie Brookes wearing Editorial address: and the images have been digitised by the ‘State of Victoria’ costume for Editor, The La Trobe Journal the Library’s imaging studio. the Pageant of Nations gala events, State Library Victoria Victorian centenary celebrations, 328 Swanston Street Every attempt has been made to c. 1934, costume designed by Thelma Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia locate copyright holders and to Thomas, photograph by Broothorn seek relevant permissions. If any Studios, Manuscripts Collection, Contributions are invited on topics omissions or errors are detected, the Jessie Clarke papers, MS 13268 inspired by the Library’s collections Library invites advice from relevant and may be subject to refereeing. parties to ensure that appropriate Inside front cover: Thelma Thomas, acknowledgments can be made. costume design representing Opinions expressed in The La Trobe ‘Electricity’, for Heather Gell’s Journal are those of the individual Learn more at slv.vic.gov.au Heritage: a pageant of South contributors, and no responsibility Australia, Adelaide, 1935–36, is accepted for them by State Library State Library of South Australia, Victoria. PRG 689/1, 66 Copyright of material published in Back cover: Detail from, Yask Desai, The La Trobe Journal is vested in the Craigieburn, It’s Not the Same, author or artist. Melbourne: [Yask Desai], 2018, Rare Books Collection, RARELTF 702.81 P56DESC No. 104 104 No. March 2020 March 4 Editorial 6 ANNETTE COOPER It’s smart to be thrifty: the story of Manton’s department store 26 ANNETTE SOUMILAS Dreamer and visionary: discovering costume designer Thelma Thomas Afford 39 DES COWLEY Photobooks and the State Library Victoria collection 48 STATE LIBRARY VICTORIA STAFF Vincent Kelly photographic studio, Bendigo: opening up a collection of early 20th-century photographs 63 MADELEINE SAY Thomas Hannay, photographer in 19th-century western Victoria 76 JULIET O’CONOR The Ken Pound Collection of children’s books 88 STEPHANIE HOLM Curious creatures and bushland beasts: inspiration from the children’s book collection 96 Notes 103 Contributors The La Trobe Journal is published by State Library Victoria ISSN 1441-3760.