© irene waters 2015
On entering the library the shadows become muted as does the conversation. A reverent hush descends on those that walk the halls of the library (founded 1826) moved to this location as it could no longer house the growing collection.
© irene waters 2015
In 1898 David Scott Mitchell told them of his bequest of 40,000 historical books, diaries, maps on the condition it would be appropriately housed. Thus the Mitchell Library was began in 1906 and completed in 1910.
© irene waters 2015
On the floor of the Mitchell vestibule is a marble replica of the Tasman map. This historical document is held by the library, generously donated in 1933 by Princess Marie Boanaparte (grand niece of Napoleon). The replica in marble depicts the discoveries made by Abel Tasman on his two exploratory voyages in 1642 and 1644.
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
The Mitchell reading Room houses the Mitchell collection and provides access to the special collections which include unique manuscripts, photographs, pictures, maps, relics and ephemera. My own Great-Grandfather’s diaries are held here which tell of his daily work carried out in the slums of Sydney when he came to Sydney as a missionary from Scotland in the late 1800s.
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
The Shakespeare room is a room dedicated to the Bard. The ceiling is modelled on Cardinal Wolsey’s closet ceiling in his quarters at Hampton Court Palace. The room is designed in the Tudor style. The stained glass windows depict the seven ages of man. The library also holds the only copy in Australia of Shakespeare’s First Folio which was published in 1623.
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
© irene waters 2015
A current exhibition of pulp fiction is a fascinating look into the 40s and 50s in Australia. As a conservative country the import of comics was banned. I now understand why I was not permitted to read comics as children as my parents obviously held the view of the government of the day that the reading of such items was detrimental to the being. A publisher, Frank Johnson, seen above, filled this void with pulp confidential: Quick and Dirty publishing. They included true crime, westerns, romance and our own Aussie brand of comic book.
© irene waters 2015
What a wonderful place to hold a conference. The Institute for Interdisciplinary Inquiry was a fascinating and stimulating conference with the theme of revisiting Space(s) Time and Bodies but with such a wonderful venue to wander I was in seventh heaven. I arrived each day too early to catch shadows and by the time I left each day the shadows were long gone but the outside of the building has to be seen.
© irene waters 2015
And what is a library without a resident cat?
© irene waters 2015
In response to Shadow shot Sunday 2
Reflections and Nightmares- Irene A Waters (writer and memoirist) 
Great photos and information. My children love comics, especially the Marvel ones. They thought it was amusing that they were banned. Now I know why I wasn’t allowed to read comics either, or draw them.
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Yes it is funny isn’t it – some parents obviously went along with this and others didn’t. I think we missed out somewhat but then perhaps we read books we would otherwise not have read. 🙂
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Great story and photos about one of our great institutions.
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I have to admit I had never been in the library and was so taken with it. I have now put libraries on my list of places to visit when travelling.
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Ah, the Mitchell … what a WONDERFUL place ! Whenever I think of how much I should love to have a genuine project to research, it’s always with images of myself researching in the Mitchell. Sighh …
The only thing I don’t understand in your super post, Irene, is about the ‘forbidden’ comics: I grew up with Superman and Captain Marvel and The Phantom and Mandrake the Magician, and I don’t recall a single moment of anyone’s telling us not to read ’em …
❓
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Yes it is a place that just makes you want to sit and research. It was the cultural defence committee that mounted a campaign and published a publication in 1935 “mental Rubbish from Overseas”. They had a great following particularly in church and government circles. It was the war however that saw the ban of books and comics and any publication from entering the country as they wanted to save the money for the war effort. Frank Johnson saw the opening and set up his publishing company. The Marvel comics and others that you read would most likely have been published by him. https://irenewaters19.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/p1010221.jpg
I think my parents obviously held with the Cultural Defence Committee – yours did not. Lucky you as I think I missed out on something special.
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Hmm. Can’t say, as to that; but I do remember sitting in the sand-dunes at the end of Waratah Avenue reading those I mentioned. (I never laid eyes on any of those ‘album’ kinds.)
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Libraries are such amazing places – treasures to explore!
I particularly like the marble floor and Tasman’s map. 🙂
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I loved the whole thing. From Tasman’s map on entering to that huge reading room that looked like it had come from the 18th century to the exhibitions and other rooms. An amazing space.
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Terrific. It’s been a while since I’ve been inside.
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A magnificent asset to Sydney and the people of NSW.
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What a library! Have you ever read those diaries of your great-great grandfather?
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I can remember reading one section when I was still at school where he talked about the loose women and opium dens. They are available on line as they have been digitised and I’m thinking that could be a project to follow what I am currently doing.
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That looks like such an elegant place. I would love to see that marble map! The cat is just the perfect addition.
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The map is just amazing with the pictures of whales and other sightings. The mainland of Australia is joined to Tasmania and part of NZ is there. What a wonder to be an explorer set on a mission of discovery with none of our mod cons.
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