Scrapbook of newspaper cuttings relating to Melbourne and regional Victoria, compiled in 1938.

Notebook with limp black roan covers, original dimensions 230 x 170 x 20 mm; [420] pp, with the pasted-in newspaper cuttings on every page expanding the dimensions to 230 x 220 x 110 mm; binding still holding firm, contents with an expected amount of browning and a minimal amount of foxing.

This fascinating scrapbook, with contents focusing on the social history and history of architecture in Melbourne and Victoria, was compiled in 1938 from contemporary Melbourne and Victorian periodicals by amateur social historian Shirley Jones.

Over time, the sheer density and weight of the tome has created a unique “book sculpture”. A remarkable artefact!

[accompanied by] Two similar notebooks with newspaper cuttings compiled by Shirley Jones in 1928 and 1930-32, respectively. Both are significantly slimmer than the 1938 scrapbook, and neither has changed its shape as markedly; covers with old paper adhesions, contents sound.

The Shirley Jones collection of Victorian postcards is held in the La Trobe Picture Collection, State Library of Victoria.