Images(28)

Sydney from the Air

Publisher John Fairfax and Sons Pty Ltd

Date1937

Object number00030428

NameBooklet

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 205 x 272 mm, 2 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection

DescriptionA newspaper supplement from The Sydney Morning Herald titled 'Sydney from the Air'. Published by John Fairfax and Sons, the booklet contains 24 full page aerial photographs of Sydney Harbour, surrounding suburbs and popular beaches such as Manly to the north and Bondi to the south.
HistorySydney in 1937 was a burgeoning metropolis. The recently completed Sydney Harbour Bridge which opened in 1932 had joined two sides of the harbour and the city was alive with the potential of architecture, transport and development. It was also the year before Australia officially celebrated 150 years of European settlement and preparations for the event had seen a rise in the promotion of Sydney and its attractions and achievements.

Internationally, events were having an impact on Australia's vision of its biggest city. England had recently crowned a new king, George VI, which Sydney had celebrated with parades and festivities. The following year would also see Sydney as the location of the Empire Games. This was a chance to promote the city as an integral part of the Commonwealth and as another world war was shaping up to be a reality, the opportunity to encourage patriotism amongst its citizens.
SignificanceIn 1937 Sydney was becoming an international city with the architecture and surroundings to match. To celebrate its development, on the eve of the 150th anniversary of British settlement, souvenirs such as this newspaper supplement were a way to show Sydney in all its urban and natural diversity.