Queen's Album e-catalogue - Catalog - Page 9
foreword
The Queen’s Album is a unique exhibition project that has been curated and produced
by New South Wales State Archives. It explores an event from 1882, nearly 140 years ago:
a special gift from the people of the Colony of New South Wales (NSW) to Queen Victoria.
This was a large and beautifully crafted album featuring photographic images of NSW.
The photographs depicted advancements made by the Colony in architecture, engineering,
science, industry and the arts. Much more than documentary accounts of the Colony’s
progress, the album’s photographs were – as the Queen herself noted – works of art.
Given that the album was produced by the NSW Government Printing Office, there is
a range of relevant and compelling original material concerning its creation in the
State Archives Collection, which is one of Australia’s most significant cultural holdings.
In researching and developing the exhibition, our staff made a number of exciting
discoveries, which are detailed in this e-publication. It also led to the question of the
whereabouts of the album today. This ‘history mystery’ has grown to become an additional
storyline within the project and one that we are hoping to solve with help from the public.
The Queen’s Album has provided an opportunity for the NSW State Archives to contribute
to the events and discussions taking place to mark 200 years since the birth of Queen Victoria.
Born on 24 May 1819, Victoria ruled over the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland for
63 years. Her reign, which commenced in 1837 and ended at her death in 1901 – the same year
as the Federation of Australia – encompassed a period of profound change and growth in NSW.
The Queen’s Album also places NSW State Archives as a participant in the resurgence of
international interest in royalty from the past and present.
The Queen’s Album exhibition will premiere at Government House in May/June 2019,
during the hugely popular Vivid Sydney and then tour throughout regional NSW.
This e-publication supports the exhibition and is available through a range of NSW
State Archives’ online platforms.
Thank you to the dedicated, expert staff at NSW State Archives, to our supportive Board and
to the Hon Don Harwin MLC, Special Minister of State, Minister for the Public Service and
Employee Relations, Aboriginal Affairs, and the Arts, and Vice-President of the Executive
Council, who, both individually and through the government, provides tremendous support
to our institution.
Whether you attend the exhibition in person, or engage with it online, we trust that you will
enjoy The Queen’s Album.
Dr Brian Lindsay
Adam Lindsay
Chair, NSW State Archives Board
Executive Director, NSW State Archives
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