Official catalogue of the natural and industrial products of New South Wales
Date1876
Object number00016947
NameBook
MediumInk, pencil, paper
DimensionsOverall: 238 mm, 0.2 kg
ClassificationsBooks and journals
Credit LineANMM Collection
Purchased with USA Bicentennial Gift funds
DescriptionThe 'Official Catalogue of the Natural and Industrial Products of New South Wales, forwarded to the International Exhibition of 1876, at Philadelphia'. This catalogue was produced by the Authority of the Commissioners, Advance Australia! and lists industrial and natural products which were most highly prized as potential exports for New South Wales, as well as more unusual products such as platypus skin hand warmers.
This particular copy of the catalogue is accompanied by six various samples of Australian prize wool.
HistoryThe 1876 International Exhibition of at Philadelphia was the first world's fair held in the United States. It was an epic undertaking and ran for six months generating enormous crowds (over nine million visitors) and revenue.
There were over 30,000 businesses exhibiting and competition to attract potential buyers or investors was intense. From Australia the investment was high (Victoria investing £10,000, Queensland £5500 and New South Wales and South Australia £4000). Although there was debate as to the financial merit of participating in such exhibitions, it was generally accepted that the states should be represented in such an international sphere.
New South Wales produced a catalogue of its natural and industrial products and at contemporary description of its display describes its exhibit as "New South Wales exhibited specimens of kerosene shale, a large assortment of wines and many framed photographs".
SignificanceWorld exhibitions were a phenomenon from the mid C18th and a forum for counties and colonies to present their cultivated image to the rest of the world and to attract possible investors or immigrants.
1957-1977
post 1950
