Powerhouse Museum
The Powerhouse Museum is located in Ultimo near Darling Harbour, Sydney. It is a public museum operated by the State Government for the people of New South Wales. Its unique and diverse collection spans history,science, technology, design, industry, decorative arts, music,transport and space exploration. It is also home to the material heritage and stories of Australian culture, history and lifestyle, providing a comprehensive insight into this rich and diverse country. There is estimated to be well over 500,000 separate items in the Museum's collection.
- https://maas.museum
- 500 Harris
- Ultimo
- New South Wales
- 2007
- Australia
- +61 2 9217 0111 (main switchboard)
- Send Email
| ID Local | Title | Description Brief | Updated |
| W006 | Post WWII Chair Collection | A collection of about 200 chairs from the 1940's to the present day. The chairs represent a wide range of styles, manufacturing techniques and materials. Designers include Charles and Ray Eames, Grant Featherston, Gordon Andrews, Douglas Snelling, Marc Newson, Clement Meadmore and many others from Australia, North America and Europe. Coverage: Europe; United Kingdom; North America; Australia; 1940 | 10 Dec 2013 |
| 2003 | William Hudson Shaw's Lawrence Hargrave Archive Collection | Papers created or collected by William Hudson Shaw during his biographical research on Lawrence Hargrave dating from 1856 to 1977. Coverage: Australia; 1856 - 1977 | 10 Dec 2013 |
| 2079 | Tyrrell Photographic Collection | The Tyrrell Collection consists of 7903 glass plate negatives from the studios of Charles Kerry (1857-1928) and Henry King (1855-1923) who had two of Sydney's principal photographic studios in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Coverage: Queensland, Australia; Norfolk Island, Australia; South Pacific; New South Wales, Australia; 1880 - 1923 | 10 Dec 2013 |
| 1964 | Sydney Observatory Collection | A collection of objects relating to and used at the Sydney Observatory from when the Observatory commenced in 1859 until the 1982. Objects include astronomical equipment, scientific instruments and furniture. Coverage: Observatory Hill, New South Wales, Australia; 1859 - 1982 | 10 Dec 2013 |
| 2006 | Roy Wells Totalisator Archive | Archive of Universal Totalisator and Roy Wells, Australia, 1926-1985, inventor of the automatic logarithmic odds calculator. Coverage: Australia; 1926 - 1985 | 10 Dec 2013 |
| 2012 | Richard Haughton James design archive | An archive of the personal papers of Richard Haughton James commercial artist, industrial designer, advertising executive and painter. Coverage: Australia; 1930 - 1985 | 10 Dec 2013 |
| 2004 | Lores Bonney aviation archive and collection of memorabilia | Personal papers and memorabilia relating to the life of pioneer aviatrix Delores Bonney (1897-1994) Coverage: Australia; 1918 - 1984 | 10 Dec 2013 |
| 2078 | Leslie M Haynes and Janice M Haynes Collection | This collection of earthenware and stoneware pots was made between 1967 and 1974 by Indigenous potters training at the Ceramics Research Unit at Bagot, near Darwin. The unit was under the general direction of Professor L.M. Haynes (1913-2000), Head of the Department of Industrial Arts, University of New South Wales. He collected these pieces together with his wife, Janice M Haynes. Coverage: Bagot, Northern Territory, Australia; 1967 - 1974 | 10 Dec 2013 |
| 1963 | Hedda Morrison Collection | A large archive of Hedda (Hammer) Morrison (1908 - 1991) containing photographs, personal memorabilia and collected objects. Coverage: Australia; Asia; Germany; China; New Zealand; 1933 - 1991 | 10 Dec 2013 |
| 2016 | Gerard Herbst and Prestige Limited Textile Design Archive | Collection of archival material from Prestige Limited, 1940-52, preserved by Gerard Herbst who was the company's Art Director from 1946-56. It includes textile designs, photographs, negatives and transparencies, designs for posters, a video copy of a newsreel on the company and newscuttings. Accompanying the Prestige material are personal papers of Herbst, 1940-1995, including textile designs, posters, certificates and papers concerning his promotion of poster art. Coverage: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; 1940 - 1995 | 10 Dec 2013 |
| 1989 | F. T. Wimble and Co. Ltd. Archive Collection | Records of F T Wimble and Co Ltd, Australian manufacturers of printing ink and distributors of printing machinery, based in Sydney from 1803 to 1994. Coverage: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; 1803 - 1994 | 10 Dec 2013 |
| 2011 | Douglas Annand Design Archive | Douglas Annand (1903-1976) was one of Australian's most outstanding designers. His major clients included Qantas, David Jones, Mobil, P&O Orient Line, C.S.R., Universities of Melbourne and New South Wales, Bank of Adelaide and Sydney Ure Smith. This collection provides a comprehensive record of Douglas Annand's work over a period of more than forty years with all of the major and most of the lesser commissions and projects included. Coverage: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; 1930 - 1975 | 10 Dec 2013 |
| 2022 | Dahl and Geoffrey Collings design archive | Dahl and Geoffrey Collings worked as commercial and industrial designers. They played a vital role in introducing Australian industry to modernism. This archive contains examples of the commercial artwork they created while in London 1935-39; Dahl Collings work for the Orient Line 1938-60; Dahl's costume designs for the film 'Eureka Stockade'; examples of their work while in New York 1950-53; and examples of the advertisements and magazine layouts they created in Sydney during the 1940s. Coverage: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; New York, USA; London, UK; 1933 - 1990 | 10 Dec 2013 |
| 2009 | Crown Crystal and Crown Corning Glass Collections and Archive | This collection of over 500 objects and archive contains Australian glass manufactured by Crown Crystal and later the Crown Corning companies for a 60 year period from the end of the first World War to the late 1970s. Coverage: Waterloo, New South Wales, Australia; 1920 - 1979 | 10 Dec 2013 |
| 1941 | Collection of Didactic Displays | This grouping of approximately 100 objects features didactic displays, many of which were originally created for exhibition at the Museum when it's mandate was to support the technical education of young Australians. Coverage: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; 1880 - 2000 | 10 Dec 2013 |
| 2002 | Belleek Pottery Collection including archive of Robert William Armstrong. | Archive, pottery manufacture, Robert William Armstrong of Belleek Pottery Ltd, Fermanagh, Ireland, 1860-1882. The papers consist of (-1) nine memoranda books compiled by Armstrong, 1860-1882 containing recipes, the results of trials, and information on materials used in pottery manufacture, (-2) a notebook containing recipes for bodies and glazes by John Taylor and S. Walker, prior to 21 November 1876 and (-3) a price scale of earthenware, white and ivory china, parian, tiles, slabs, etc/ The Belleek Pottery Co Ltd, 1875. The museum also holds a number of objects from the Belleek Pottery including cups and saucers, dishes and jugs. Coverage: Fermanagh, Northern Ireland; 1860 - 1882 | 10 Dec 2013 |
| 2017 | Bamford Family archive re their house at Campbelltown | Archive, domestic construction and furnishing, James and Jean Bamford, Campbelltown, New South Wales, 1957-1962 Papers regarding the Bamfords' construction of their War Service home at Campbelltown, New South Wales, including correspondence, receipts, house plans and specifications. Coverage: Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia; 1957 - 1962 | 10 Dec 2013 |
| 743 | Anatomical and Botanical Models | A collection of 46 anatomical and botanical models of animals such as bees and silkworms; plants including wheat and lilac and teaching models of human anatomy such as the eye, ear, heart and digestive organs. They include papier-mache models made by Louis Thomas Jérome Auzoux. Coverage: France; Germany; 1850 - 1900 | 03 Oct 2012 |
| 372 | Carl Zeiss and optical glass | A collection of 40 optical instruments manufactured by Zeiss. The instruments include cameras, binoculars, telescopes, microscopes with various accessories and pamphlets. Coverage: Germany; 1848 - 1890 | 03 Oct 2012 |
| 1933 | Keyboard Collection | The Powerhouse Museum’s keyboard collection is one of the major strengths of the musical instruments collection. The instruments span a period of over 370 years from the Italian virginals made in 1629 through to the Stuart & Sons grand piano made in 1999 and the William Bright harpsichord of 2002. Coverage: United Kingdom; Australia; Germany; France; Japan; United States of America; Sweden; 1629 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1931 | Guitar Collection | The Powerhouse Museum’s collection of guitars includes both acoustic and electric instruments made in a variety of countries such as England, France, Spain, the USA and Australia. Of particular interest are the number of nineteenth century guitars represented by makers such as Louis Panormo of London and Johan Georg Staufer of Vienna noted for their innovative and experimental designs. More modern makers are also represented such as Jose Ramirez III or companies such as Dobro, Rickenbacker, Gibson, Epiphone Gretsch and Ibanez. Coverage: France; Spain; United States of America; Australia; United Kingdom; 1770 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1928 | Violin Collection | The Powerhouse Museum’s collection of bowed string instruments is one of its major strengths. In particular its holdings of violins by both European and Australian makers are the largest in the country. The earliest violin acquired was in 1900 and made for the Museum by F Chainie of the Sydney suburb of Balmain. This instrument, made of Australian timbers, was acquired as an example of the type of item that could be made using Australian timbers. Since that time, especially from the late 1960s, the collection has grown as a way of preserving and documenting the history of violin making in Australia. Coverage: United Kingdom; Europe; Australia; 1700 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1932 | Woodwinds & the Flute Collection | The Powerhouse Museum’s woodwind collection spans over two hundred years of development in this area. It includes instruments from European traditions such as clarinets, oboes, flutes and recorders through to traditional instruments found in Australian Indigenous nations, as well as Asian cultures such as Korea, China and Thailand. Coverage: Korea; Thailand; China; Australia; Europe; 1770 | 30 May 2012 |
| W005 | Electronic Swatchbook | This website displays over 1,900 digitised fabric samples taken from five swatchbooks in the Powerhouse Museum collection. The swatchbooks date from 1837 to 1923. They include Japanese brocade, printed silk, block printed wool samples, block and roller printed cotton, paper and leather samples. They cover a broad range of colours, designs and textures. Coverage: France; Japan; 1837 - 1923 | 30 May 2012 |
| W004 | Australian Dress Register | The Australian Dress Register is an online resource which contains detailed information about particular items of clothing. The garments range from Wedding and ball gowns to day wear, uniforms, nightclothes, children's clothes and fancy dress costumes. Entries contains details about manufacture and hand sewing techniques, place of origin and the history and use of each garment. Coverage: New South Wales, Australia; 1770 - 1945 | 30 May 2012 |
| W001 | The rags: paraphernalia of menstruation collection | A small group of sanitary towels and tampons, pharmaceuticals to relieve the discomforts of the monthly 'period', and guidance booklets about puberty for adolescents and their parents. And in the Museum's Research Library there are magazines whose advertisements document evolution in the manufacture and marketing of menstrual products since the late 1800s. Coverage: Australia; 1885 | 30 May 2012 |
| W003 | Rowe Street Archive | From 1891 until the early 1970s Rowe Street, in Sydney's inner city, offered a lively atmosphere of galleries, interior decorating studios, music shops and cafés. This archive, which consists of photographs, letters and interviews, documents the history of the street's commercial occupants. Coverage: Rowe Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; 1891 - 1970 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2023 | W.E. Pennings archive re his building trades apprenticeship | Archive, building trades apprenticeship, Wilfred Edward Pennings, Australia, 1925-1946. Pennings (b. 1917) was a carpenter and a teacher of carpentry. This is a small group of papers relating to his technical education including reports and certificates from the Junior Technical School, Rozelle, Sydney Technical College and the Master Builders Association of NSW. Coverage: Rozelle, New South Wales, Australia; 1925 - 1946 | 30 May 2012 |
| W002 | Historical Letters from Sydney Observatory | This collection comprises ten books containing 4,591 of pages of documents written primarily by the Government Astronomers who founded Sydney Observatory. These men were: William Scott (1825-1917), who held the position from 1858 to 1862; George Robarts Smalley (1822-1870), who held the position from 1864 to 1870; and Henry Chamberlain Russell (1836-1907), who held the position from 1870 to 1905. Coverage: Observatory Hill, New South Wales, Australia; 1857 - 1902 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2085 | Allan Bromely Collection | A collection of over 570 objects relating to the history and development of computing and other information technology assembled by Assoc Professor Allan Bromley of Sydney University, comprising calculators, mechanical and electronic analogue computers, computer components, kit computers, education computers, and associated ephemera Coverage: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; 1700 - 1990 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2087 | Antiquities collection | The Powerhouse antiquities have been collected since the very earliest days of the Museum's history. They are composed of ceramics, glass and other media spanning the world but with a focus on Britain, Western Asia, and some from China. In the context of a technological museum antiquities were able to show the longevity of techniques as well as stylistic development of decoration and form. Collecting has been mainly opportunistic through gifts and some purchases. Highlight collections include the Colchester Roman-British pottery gift of 1907, the 1938 Guildhall gift of Roman-British antiquities showing daily life in London, a range of pottery from Sir Leonard Woolley's excavations of the 1920s from Ur in Iraq, and eighty glazed Byzantine-style bowls from Mediaeval Cyprus. Individual items include some fine Greek red and black-figure vessels, as well as Italian Etruscan and Gnathian vessels. Coverage: Great Britain; China; Western Asia; Europe; -1200 - 700 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2033 | Victa Lawnmower Collection | A collection of objects relating to Mervyn Victor Richardson and the Victa company. It includes lawnmowers, the first dating from 1953, as well as archival material and promotional material such as signs and pamphlets. Coverage: New South Wales, Australia; 1953 - 2008 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2083 | Ian Rumsey Australian Textiles Collection | The Ian Rumsey Australian Textiles Collection comprises a representative range of 19th and 20th century Australian embroidery and needlework, including doyleys, milk jug covers, tablecloths, placemats, towels, banners, aprons, samplers, runners and cushion covers, collected by Ian Rumsey over two decades. Mr Rumsey, a private collector, was drawn to embroidery and needlework for its extensive use of Australian flora and fauna and other native motifs, collecting only well-preserved examples, many of which came via the late Nerylla Taunton, an antiques dealer. This collection is made up of two large donations from Mr Rumsey from 1991 and 2010. Coverage: Australia; 1890 - 1950 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2081 | Margaret Lord Archive Collection | The archive of the Sydney based interior designer, Margaret Lord. It includes photographs, diaries, books and publications relating to Lords design work and life dating from 1930 to 1975. Coverage: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; 1930 - 1975 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2080 | Bruno Benini Archive Collection | The Bruno Benini photography archive was produced and collected over many years by Bruno Benini and his wife, Hazel Benini (nee Craig). It contains commercial and fashion photography taken in Australia and Europe between 1950 and 2001. Coverage: Europe; Australia; 1950 - 2001 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2084 | Cyril Ruwald Collection | The Cyril Ruwald Collection consists of 1424 architectural plans and drawings including; diazo prints, pencil and ink drawings, blueprints, negative photo-prints, and monochrome photographs Coverage: New South Wales, Australia; 1880 - 1960 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2082 | Aircraft models | From its inception in the 1880s the Powerhouse Museum has collected ship, mechanical, medical and railway models. After the invention of aeroplanes, aircraft models were added to this list. This collection includes a large number of models of different aircraft such as models of aircraft used during both World Wars, examples of early flight technology, models of aircraft used by famous aviators such as Nancy Bird Walton and more modern passanger aircraft such as a Qantas 747. The models range in date from approximately 1920s to the 1990s. Aircraft engine models also feature in the Powerhouse's collection Coverage: Australia; 1925 - 2000 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2075 | Gene Sherman Collection | A collection of Japanese fashion owned and worn by Gene Sherman from the late 1980s to 2007. It includes outfits by designers such as Issey Miyake, Yohji Yamamoto, Comme des Garçons and the Japanese-Australian designer Akira Isogawa. Coverage: Japan; Australia; 1985 - 2007 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2076 | Lawrence Hargrave Archive Collection | A collection of drawings and journals by the aviation pioneer Lawrence Hargrave, dated between 1865 and 1915. Coverage: Australia; Papua New Guinea; 1865 - 1915 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2077 | Lawrence Hargrave Object Collection | A collection of objects made by or relating to the aviation pioneer Lawrence Hargrave dated between 1865 and 1915. Coverage: Papua New Guinea; Australia; 1865 - 1915 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2039 | Automatic Totalisators Limited Archive | Company records of the Automatic Totalisators Limited Company, established in 1917 by George Julius to manufacture, install and operate totalisator systems throughout the world. The archive contains records and photographs dating from between 1919 and 1974. The Museum also holds a model of the totalisator designed by Sir George Julius and some parts and other equpment manufactured by Automatic Totalisators Limited. Coverage: Australia; 1919 - 1974 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2069 | Bob Lucas Australian Cinema Archive | An archival collection relating to Australian cinema, collected by Robert (Bob) Lucas, who was the Chief Technician of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in Australia. The archive dates from 1927 to 1987. Coverage: Australia; 1927 - 1987 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2021 | Buzacott engineering archive | Archive, engineering and manufacturing, Buzacott group of companies (including W.S. Buzacott & Co, Buzacott & Co, Henry Lane (Australia) Ltd, Rosebery Lanolines Pty Ltd, Rosebery Engine Works Ltd, Buzacotts (Queensland) Ltd, Buzacott-Wolseley Ltd, Email Ltd) with personal papers of A E Buzacott and E W Buzacott, Sydney, New South Wales, 1898-1977. Coverage: Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia; Mackay, Queensland, Australia; Cairns, Queensland, Australia; Townsville, Queensland, Australia; Brisbane, Queensland, Australia; Roseberry, New South Wales, Australia; 1898 - 1977 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2020 | Frank Mitchell Fashion Design Archive | Archive (226 items), newspapers/photographs/labels/magazines, Frank Mitchell, Australia, 1949-1978 The archive of Australian fashion designer Frank Mitchell, comprising of printed material relating to Mitchell's fashion parades (1949-56), theatre programmes (1957-59), correspondence received (1949-63), newspaper and magazine articles (1945-78), photographs (c.1949-78), miscellaneous material (c.1879-1980), and cardboard display sheets (c.1957-58). Coverage: Australia; 1949 - 1978 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2019 | Max Forbes Design Archive | Archive, industrial and exhibition design, Max Forbes, London/Melbourne, 1948-1989 Coverage: London, United Kingdom; Melbourne, Victoria; 1948 - 1989 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2018 | Sheedy Pty Ltd Signwriting Archive | Records of signwriting company Sheedy Pty Ltd of Redfern, which traded from 1908 to 1982 Coverage: Redfern, New South Wales, Australia; 1942 - 1981 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2001 | Arthur Butler Aviation Archive | Archive, aviation, Cecil Arthur Butler / Butler Air Transport, Australia, c. 1910-1973 Archive of personal papers of Arthur Butler (1902-1980) and records of his company Butler Air Transport established in 1934. Coverage: Australia; 1915 - 1983 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2007 | Berlei Underwear Collection and Archive | The Berlei underwear collection contains underwear and corsetry from 1860 to the 1980s. It includes corsets, brassieres, underpants, girdles, stockings, suspender belts, maternity garments, surgical supports and samples. Coverage: United Kingdom; New Zealand; Australia; 1912 - 1970 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2008 | Shannon Roof Tile Company Archive | Archive, tile and brick manufacturing, Shannons Roof Tile Co, Australia, 1928-1982. Coverage: Merrylands, New South Wales, Australia; Wentworthville, New South Wales, Australia; Petersham, New South Wales, Australia; 1928 - 1982 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2000 | Correpondence of Evelyn Owen relating to the Owen sub-machine gun | The correspondence consists of fifty five letters concerning the development and production of the Owen sub-machine gun. Many of the early letters are congratulatory ones; most of the later letters concern royalties paid to Owen and his application for tax exemption. Correspondents include J.B. Chifley (Commonwealth Treasurer), John Curtin (Prime Minister), F.M. Forde (Minister for the Army), J.M. Fraser (Acting Minister for the Army), Percy Spender (Member of the House of Representatives) and H.F.E. Whitlam (Commonwealth Crown Solicitor). Coverage: Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia; 1940 - 1945 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2010 | Waddell's Ashfield Garage archive | Archive, Waddell's Ashfield Garage, Sydney, New South Wales, 1909-35. The archive contains mainly business records relating to the management of the garage, such as correspondence (1929-32), invoice books (1928-30) and workshop diaries (1927-35). It also contains some personal papers of John Laird Waddell, who owned the garage, as well as photographs and blueprints from when he worked for Caldwell Vale Motor & Tractor Construction Co. Coverage: Ashfield, New South Wales; 1909 - 1935 | 30 May 2012 |
| 2013 | Bombala Times archive | Archive, newspaper publishing and job printing, Bombala Times, Bombala, New South Wales, 1903-1987 Coverage: Bombala, New South Wales, Australia; 1903 - 1987 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1972 | Donald Harkness Archive Collection | Personal papers of Donald James Harkness, relating to motor racing and the design of aero engines from 1916 to 1971. Coverage: New South Wales, Australia; 1916 - 1971 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1970 | Beecher-Moore Stocking Collection | A collection of over a hundred pairs of stockings put together between 1978 and 1985 by costume enthusiast Mrs Naona Beecher-Moore. Coverage: United States of America; Europe; United Kingdom; 1800 - 1985 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1969 | Speedo Swimwear Collection | A collection of objects from Speedo, the swimwear design company started in Sydney in1929. The collection includes swimwear, accessories, designs, and catalogues dating from the 1930s to the present. Coverage: Australia; 1930 - 2010 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1968 | Philips Glass Plate Negative Collection | A collection of 193 glass plate negatives of Sydney and regional New South Wales dating from 1880 to 1920, possibly by Arthur Philips. Coverage: Sydney, New South Wales; 1880 - 1920 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1967 | Joseph Box Collection | The Joseph Box collection is an important collection of footwear and shoemaking objects thought to have been initiated by the London shoemaker, Robert Dixon Box, and consolidated by his son, Joseph Box and the Box Kingham family during the second half of the 1800s. Coverage: Europe; United Kingdom; 1500 - 1920 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1952 | Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games Collection | A collection of objects from the Olympic and Paralympic Games held in Sydney in 2000, including Australian uniforms and competition clothes, performance costumes from the opening and closing ceremonies, sporting equipment and ephemera. Coverage: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; 2000 - 2000 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1966 | Sidney Warden Archive Collection | The Sidney Warden Archive contains photographs, drawings and journals relating to his designs for Tooth hotels in Sydney and New South Wales from the 1920s to 1950s. Coverage: New South Wales, Australia; 1920 - 1960 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1988 | Fred Ward Archive Collection | A design archive created by and relating to the Australian designer Fred Ward, from 1947 to 1988. Coverage: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; 1947 - 1988 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1951 | Clyde Engineering Photographic Collection | The Clyde Engineering photographic archive consists of about 3000 images dating from 1895 to 1950, many of which are glass plate negatives. They document the activities and output of the Clyde Engineering Works which was, in its time, the largest engineering enterprise in NSW. Coverage: Granville, New South Wales, Australia; 1859 - 1950 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1977 | Rousel Studios Archive Collection | An archive documenting the signwriting and other graphic work of Rousel Studios, which also traded as Henry Rousel, Rousel Signs and Rousel Screen Printing in Sydney, New South Wales from 1886 to 1983. Coverage: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; 1886 - 1915 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1987 | Weatherly Sisters Circus Archive Collection | The Weatherly sisters, Gagga and Toots, worked in circus, vaudeville, film and television as clowns, contortionists, mimics, dancers, singers, songwriters and musicians across Australia and internationally from 1910 until the 1980s. This archive contains material relating to the Weatherly Sisters as well as their family and circuses to which they belonged. Coverage: India; South East Asia; South Africa; Australia; 1880 - 1990 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1973 | Gillies Collection | The collection consists of over 130 important examples of eighteenth and early nineteenth century English porcelain and decorative art objects collected by the Sydney collector Annie Maria Gillies (Mrs Sinclair Gillies). Coverage: England, United Kingdom; 1700 - 1900 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1974 | Jenny Kee Fashion Collection | A collection of clothing, textiles, artwork and archival material relating to Jenny Kee, one of Australia's leading designers, activists and personalities, dating from 1967 to 1995. Coverage: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; 1967 - 1995 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1976 | Cavill Silverware Collection | A collection of silver and EPNS (electroplated nickel silver) tableware, trophies, napkin rings and spoons made and / or used in Australia mostly between the 1890s and 1950s. Coverage: Australia; 1890 - 1960 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1986 | Arthur H Gillot Pty Ltd Transport Archive | An archival collection relating to the Sydney based transport services of Arthur H Gillott Pty Ltd, which included the St Ives Bus Service, Pymble St Ives Hire Cars and Highway Haulage Pty Ltd dating from 1935 to 1998. Coverage: St Ives, New South Wales; 1935 - 1998 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1981 | Australian Design Awards - Powerhouse Museum Collection | The Powerhouse Museum has been building the country's first collection of contemporary product design selected from the prestigious Australian Design Awards. There are approximately 100 design objects in this collection dating from 1992. Coverage: Australia; 1992 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1984 | Festival Records Collection | A collection of objects relating to and used at Festive Records, the Sydney based recording company. Festival Records was established in 1952 and the objects in this collection date from that time. Coverage: Australia; 1952 - 2000 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1943 | Bayram Ali photographic archive re Snowy Mountains Scheme | This collection is comprised primarily of processed negative film, prints and slides of work, community and leisure activities engaged in and observed by Snowy Mountains Authority worker Bayram Ali at Adaminaby / Eucumbene Dam, Cabramurra, Canberra, Cooma, Eaglehawk, Jindabyne and various other camp and work sites around Snowy Mountains scheme. Coverage: Snowy Mountains, New South Wales, Australia; 1953 - 1971 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1937 | Illustrations of China and Its People by John Thomson | This collection consists of volumns 1 to 4 of the publication, 'Illustrations of China and Its People: A series of Two Hundred Photographs with Letterpress Descriptive of Places and People Represented', by John Thomson FRGS, in four volumes, published by Sampson Low, Marston, Low and Searle, Chiswick Press, printed by Whittingham and Wilkins, London, England, 1873-1874 Coverage: China; 1869 - 1872 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1357 | Annette Kellerman Costume Collection | A collection of costumes, props and memorabilia relating to Annette Kellerman, from 1905 to 1970s. Coverage: United States of America; 1905 - 1980 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1364 | Bill Montgomery Wool Collection | The Bill Montgomery Wool Collection contains more than 5000 samples of wool that were grown in Australia between 1865 and 2000. The earlier samples provide material evidence of cross breeding programs that transformed the short-woolled Saxon Merino of the 18th Century into the much larger, long-woolled Australian Merino of the 19th Century. Information about the breeder, location and date of clip is provided for most samples. Results of Optical Fibre Diameter Analysis (OFDA 2000) are included for 1200 samples. The Collection also includes 147 examples of faults and stains occurring in Australian flocks, 20 pigmented wools and 33 rare and extinct breeds from around the world. Coverage: Tasmania, Australia; Queensland, Australia; New South Wales, Australia,; Victoria, Australia; New Zealand; 1865 - 2000 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1849 | Tom Lennon Photographic Collection | The archive of the Sydney commercial photographer Tom Lennon contains approximately 1800 images dating from 1927 to 1949. Coverage: Sydney, New South Wales; 1927 - 1949 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1906 | Australian Flora and Fauna in Applied Art | A grouping of over 500 objects which feature designs and motifs of Australian plants and animals. The objects include ceramics, glassware, jewellery, textiles and woodwork. In addition there are designs by Lucien Henry from the unpublished book 'Australian Decorative Arts' and stamped metal panels from the Wunderlich collection. The objects vary from a superbly crafted gold and silver inkstand to mass produced pressed glass dishes and from detailed botanical illustrations on teacups to stylized cutlery. The material dates from the early 1800's to the present day. Coverage: Australia; 1820 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1907 | Electronic Music Collection | The electronic music collection contains approximately 40 electric and electronic musical instruments from the 1930s to the present day. The collection features the Fairlight Musical Instrument with an archive from Tony Fuse relating the development of Qasar M8 and the Fairlight CMI. The collection also includes an extensive range of studio equipment from composer Don Banks' music studio in Canberra and the Adelaide studio of Tristram Cary Coverage: Canberra, Australian Capital Territory; Adelaide, South Australia; 1930 - 2000 | 30 May 2012 |
| 1942 | David Mist Archive Collection | Description brief: A large archive created by and relating to the Sydney based commercial photographer David Mist from the 1960s to 1980s. Coverage: Sydney, New South Wales , Australia; 1960 - 1990 | 30 May 2012 |