Selfe family papers and pictorial material, 1853-1948

fonds

1853-1948

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Architectural and Technical Drawings

825426

2.5 metres of textual material (12 boxes and 1 outsize item)
17 drawings
118 photographic prints
Approximately 500 photographic postcards (7 boxes)
8 plans
221 negatives (3 boxes)
53 architectural drawings
595 photographs in 5 albums - chiefly photographic prints (5 boxes)

Norman Selfe, 1839-1911, engineer was born in England and arrived in Sydney in 1855. Selfe’s engineering achievements were extensive and included the design of the first double-ended screw ferry, ‘Wallaby’, the design of the first ice-making machine in N.S.W., the first lifts, the first concrete quay wall in Sydney Harbour and of particular importance was his design of a cantilever harbour bridge from Dawes Point to McMahons Point, 1903. He was a founder of the Engineering Association of N.S.W., 1870 and from 1887-1889, Selfe was acting President of the Board of Technical Education. The Sydney suburb of Normanhurst was named after him.

Norma Catherine Selfe and Rhoda Jane Selfe, daughters of Norman Selfe, were kindergarten school teachers who in 1913 spent some time in Italy being trained by Dr. Maria Montessori in her revolutionary method of education. The Misses Selfe opened a school in the Sydney suburb of Ashfield, N.S.W.

Collection includes papers, drawings and photographs relating to engineering projects of Norman Selfe, including Sydney Harbour Bridge, 1853-ca. 1910; papers and photographs relating to teacher training, especially Montessori teaching methods, of Norma and Rhoda Selfe, 1880-1948; and travel photographs of the Selfe family.

SERIES 01
Norman Selfe papers, ca. 1880-1910

SERIES 02
Norma Selfe and Rhoda Selfe papers, ca. 1908-1948

SERIES 03
Drawings and artwork, 1853-1854 / by Norman Selfe

SERIES 04
Albums of photographs and postcards of the Selfe family, ca. 1865-1920

SERIES 05
Photographic prints collected by the Selfe family including Montessori classes in Italy and Australia and German bridges collected by Norman Selfe, ca. 1880-1914

SERIES 06
Postcards and lettercards collected by the Selfe family, ca. 1900-1912

SERIES 07
Plans and engineering drawings, ca. 1860-1910 / drawn or collected by Norman Selfe

SERIES 08
Glass negatives of Norman Selfe and family and other scenes, ca. 1880-1910

SERIES 09
Competition plans for Sydney Harbour Bridge, first, second and third competitions, 1899-1903 / by Norman Selfe

SERIES 10
Additions to Old Gilligaloola, Hornsby, residence of Norman Selfe, 1920s / by J.A. Kethel