Scrapbook originally owned by Miss Eliza Torning, younger sister of Andrew Torning, artist, scene- and banner painter, fireman, art teacher, decorator and entrepreneur

PXA 885

fonds

1852-1915

Graphic Materials, Textual Records, Clippings, Watercolours, Photographs, Prints, Ephemera

404572

1 album - full leather cover with decorative blind and gilt embossing - 29.5 x 25.2 cm

Much of the album's contents dates from around 1859 when the Torning family appears to have made a voyage crossing the Pacific on the Achilles from San Francisco.
The original owner of the album is Eliza Torning, sister of Andrew Torning (later married to William Thompson). Eliza died in 1876, aged 41.

The following is a partial listing of the contents of this album:

Front endpaper: Undated press cutting noting a banner painted by Andrew Torning for the Star of the South Lodge of Oddfellows, no. 1605, Goulburn.
p. a. Mourning card for the death of Eliza [nee Torning], wife of William Thompson.
p. 1 Letter of condolence on her husband’s (Andrew Torning’s) illness to Mrs Torning, dated 4 January 1861 from the Australian Volunteer Fire Company, no.1, 'Engine Station, Pitt Street South, Sydney (p. 1).
p. 5 'Pacific ? Weather', watercolour
p. 11 [Government House, Sydney across Farm Cove], watercolour
p. 14 Photographic print with the blind stamp of Charles Pickering, Sydney of a girl seated beside the grave of 'George Ross Morton'
p. 16 'Ready for Sea. The Blue Peter [off Fort Macquarie]'
p. 22 'Mount Lebanon from Beyroot. H. R. [?] Thurston Dec. 1855'
p. 25 Crystal Palace, London (print)
p. 31 'Scene in Feejee'
p. 41 [Pencil sketch of sailing ship]
p. 43 (reverse) Irving as Hamlet [by] F.W. Snell
p. 45 My last attempt [signal station]. Initialed 'A.T.'
p. 48 Valentine’s day (?) card
p. 49 Valentine’s day (?) card
p. 52 'Native of Pitcairn's Island
p. 56 ‘Waverley Congregational Church hymns to be sung on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone, Saturday afternoon, November 26, 1881’
p. 59 'My first attempt' [wooden shelter at end of wharf]. Initialled 'A.T.'
p. 63 'Koroi Ravu - a Feejeean Chief'
p. 90-91 Humorous poem about family members

Baxter and Le Blond prints appear on the following pages: 9, 10, 15, 24, 25 (Crystal Palace, London), 34, 38, 44, 54, 57, 60, 61, 64, 70, 79, 84 reverse, 89

There are also a number of Christmas and birthday cards, ca. 1908-1915 with Torning family connections that appear on the following pages: reverse p. 10, reverse p. 11, p. 13, reverse p. 13, reverse p. 16, p. 20, p. 62, p. 71, p. 76, reverse p. 79, reverse p. 82, reverse p. 86.

At the time the album was acquired by the Mitchell Library, it was noted that it had been added to or had items removed, at least until 1920. At that time the withdrawals had not been recorded. As at 12 October 2009, withdrawals have been noted at the following: reverse p. 9, reverse p. 21, p. 46, p. 73, reverse p. 84, p. 87, reverse p. 88, reverse p. 90, p. 92.

The album is inscribed on front flyleaf in pencil with the names of former owners, 'Alan Oldfield ... or Mrs E. Oldfield ... (This was the property of Eliza Torning aged in 1852 about 18. She was Andrew Torning's young sister and went with him and his wife on a sea trip to San Francisco about the time this album commenced and it mainly concerns the voyage ...)'.
Inscribed on p. 3 'Miss Torning from A Sincere Admirer 18th June 1852', who also contributed the first entry on p. 4 'Forget Me Not', signed 'Sydney 18th June 1852 F.W.G.'