State Library of New South Wales

  • 4,927 photos
  • 90M views
  • Member since 2008
  • Last upload was
    10 hours ago
  • 🇦🇺
The State Library of New South Wales' major subject strengths are Australian history, culture and literature, including Aboriginal studies, Antarctic exploration, family history and genealogy, business and management, social sciences, applied science, biography, health and law. The State Library is home to one of Australia’s most significant historical and heritage collections. As well as nearly 11 kilometres of manuscripts – from nine 1788 First Fleet journals through to the archives of contemporary organisations and writers – the Library holds more than one million photographs. From the earliest surviving photograph taken in Australia – in January 1845 – through to digital photographs taken last month, the Library’s unrivalled photographic collections document with powerful clarity the way Australians have lived their lives over two centuries. You can find out more about the State Library's photographic collections on our website: www.sl.nsw.gov.au/research-and-collections

When were these photos taken?

2025-06-13T15:20:05.208518 image/svg+xml Matplotlib v3.10.3, https://matplotlib.org/ 1825 2025 300

Where were these photos taken?

32% of these photos are geotagged.

These links will take you to Flickr.com. For now.

Photos of interest

These photos have had lots of views, comments, and favourites.

Recent uploads

The last upload was 10 hours ago.

Conversations

Here’s a selection of the conversations happening on these photos::

Weirdo's Magic Shop Piccadilly Arcade, Sydney, 1950

from State Library of New South Wales

  • Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies said:
    I believe this is the Piccadilly Arcade shop.

    "WEIRDO'S
    SUPERIOR
    MAGIC
    THE BEST IN MAGIC
    WEIRDO'S
    MAGIC AND
    NOVELTY SHOP
    24 Piccadilly Arcade
    220 Pitt Street, Sydney
    CATALOGUE No. 2
    MAGIC AT IT'S BEST"

    Weirdo's Magic and Novelty Shop. (1943). Weirdo's superior magic Retrieved May 1, 2025, from nla.gov.au/nla.obj-2841227511
  • Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies said:
    That would be Mr McKechnie there behind the counter.

    "SHORTAGE OF MAGICIANS FOR CHRISTMAS PARTIES
    Sydney was short or magicians and conjurors this Christmas, Mr. S. McKechnie, professionally known as "Weirdo," said yesterday.
    'All 'wizards' are booked out until February next year," Mr: McKechnie added. Mr. McKechnie owns the "Weirdo" Magic Trick Shop, in Piccadilly Arcade, which is the headquarters of 12 men who entertain as "wizards, conjurors, and comperes."
    "Many of them have to do three or four jobs an afternoon." said Mr. Mc Kechnie. "A shortage of 'wizards' can have a serious effect on the morale of the community. "Most of our key 'wizards' are in the Army and should be released for the Christmas season."

    SHORTAGE OF MAGICIANS FOR CHRISTMAS PARTIES (1944, December 14). The Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1931 - 1954), p. 5. Retrieved May 1, 2025, from nla.gov.au/nla.news-article248075317
  • State Library of New South Wales said:
    Blue Mountains Library, Local Studies thanks - I will update the caption. 👍
  • Merryjack said:
    I recall the shop used to do a brisk trade to school kids for fake vomit and whoopee cushions, often as not for practical jokes in the class room!
    en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whoopee_cushion
    content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2...

Damien Parer, Bungan, New South Wales, 1938

from State Library of New South Wales

Tattooed man 'Sailor Bill', Sydney, 1939

from State Library of New South Wales

No comments. Yet.

Do you know anything about what’s in these photos?

🇦🇺 Other members from Australia