Ephemera Society of Australia Inc.

05/06/2026

Panel discussion on researching sports heritage,
https://rarebooksmelbourne.com/event/rare-sports-books-and-ephemera/
A panel of sports writers, historians, and librarians convene for this sports history discussion led by MCC Library’s own Trevor Ruddell. Which collections have our panellists encountered, and which collections have they used in the course of their work? What forgotten stories have been unearthed through these documents, and what have been the outcomes of such research? Where are the hidden gems of sports history? What rare treasures have been uncovered since we last met, and what projects are people working on this year? Our panel will reveal all.

Level 3, Members’ Stand. Entry at Members’ Entrance, Gate 2.

Speakers Louise Zedda-Sampson, Kasey Symons, Trevor Ruddell

05/06/2026

https://rarebooksmelbourne.com/event/cartes-de-visite-cabinet-cards-and-albums/
Cartes de visite were the earliest photographs to be widely produced and sold affordably, becoming very popular in the 1860s. Toward the end of that decade larger photographs, known as cabinet cards, also became common. Cartes de visite were collected and exchanged with family and friends, and often placed into albums specially manufactured to hold them. Intended to be sumptuous, these albums were generally bound in leather, and adorned with decorative features such as gold tooling, or brass clasps. Join Debra Parry as she looks at the early beginnings of popular photography, followed by a viewing of some of these beautiful albums used to hold cartes de visite and cabinet cards.

Email for booking: [email protected]

Speakers
Debra Parry

05/06/2026

An exploration of the life and cookery books of Federation hotelier and cookery book author, Mrs Hannah Maclurcan
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS EVENT IS NOW SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY 26TH JULY
https://rarebooksmelbourne.com/event/from-a-townsville-pub-to-sydneys-wentworth/

A popular and important Federation cookery book author, Hannah Maclurcan was a highly successful Australian hotelier and businesswoman. The event will explore her often overlooked contributions to Federation cookery with several tastes from her popular cookery book, Mrs Maclurcan’s Cookery Book: a Collection of Practical Recipes Specially Suitable for Australia, which ran to a number of editions.

Speakers
Tim White
Booking

05/06/2026

https://rarebooksmelbourne.com/event/suppression-of-australian-literature-in-the-nineteenth-century/
The nineteenth century in Australia is particularly interesting from the literary suppression point of view. In this talk, Dr Cains addresses suppression - items of literature withdrawn from the market and not available to the general reader – rather than censorship, a State based activity often invoked to protect the morals of the population. During this period, the Port Phillip colony moved with increasing confidence to self-government and federation, and there were tentative shoots of a domestic literature. But as a young boisterous colony, the excesses of expression and behaviour were curbed, often by legal means and occasionally by literary suppression: some of these instances are the subject of this lecture.

Speakers
Dr
Geoffrey Cains
Booking

05/06/2026

For first time visitors, an antiquarian book fair might seem to be a strange and unfamiliar experience. We invite you to join experienced book collector and tour guide Chris Browne in a small group visit to meet some of the antiquarian booksellers exhibiting at this year’s book fair, to hear about a selection of the rare books on display, and to be introduced to the joy of collecting books and print on paper. Numbers strictly limited so bookings are essential.

Speakers
Professor Emeritus
Chris Browne

05/06/2026

An Introduction to Science Fiction with a panel of enthusiasts.
https://rarebooksmelbourne.com/event/astounding-worlds/
Since its beginnings in the late 19th century, the science fiction (SF) genre has embraced a diversity of approaches, from Jules Verne and H.G. Wells, through the Golden Age in the mid-20th century to current authors. Join a panel of SF fans and enthusiasts who will explore their favourite science fiction books and authors in a lively discussion. The event will be accompanied by a display of historic and landmark SF publications, together with fascinating examples that are available on loan from the extensive holdings of the Footscray Mechanics Institute Library. Come and enjoy our visions of SF.

Speakers
Vivien Santer
Steve Wilson
Cameron Borg
Professor Emeritus
Chris Browne

05/06/2026

Panel discussion on researching sports heritage
A panel of sports writers, historians, and librarians convene for this sports history discussion led by MCC Library’s own Trevor Ruddell. Which collections have our panellists encountered, and which collections have they used in the course of their work? What forgotten stories have been unearthed through these documents, and what have been the outcomes of such research? Where are the hidden gems of sports history? What rare treasures have been uncovered since we last met, and what projects are people working on this year? Our panel will reveal all.

Level 3, Members’ Stand. Entry at Members’ Entrance, Gate 2.

Speakers
Louise Zedda-Sampson
Kasey Symons
Trevor Ruddell
Booking

05/06/2026

Here's an interesting talk for sports collectors

A panel of sports writers, historians, and librarians convene for this sports history discussion led by MCC Library’s own Trevor Ruddell.

05/06/2026

The Melbourne Rare Book Week program of free events is now open. Book early and often as the talks are great. https://rarebooksmelbourne.com/event/

01/06/2026

Almost the First Nations Flag.