Mitchell Library - time capsule from the commemorative stone of the Mitchell Library, 11 Sept. 1906

Safe 1/77

fonds

11 Sept. 1906

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Objects

447275

Textual Records - glass cylinder containing documents and coins - 24 cm high x 18.5 cm diameter
Objects

In 1898 book collector David Scott Mitchell informed the Trustees of the Public Library of New South Wales that he would bequeath his extensive collection to the Library on condition that a special building was provided to house it. After considerable delay, building work began in April 1906. The commemorative stone was laid by Premier J.H. Carruthers on 11 Sept. 1906. Mitchell was too ill to attend, and died on 24 July 1907. The sandstone plaque, originally on the northern side of the Mitchell wing, was later relocated to the western wall behind the Flinders Statue. The text on the plaque reads: 'This commemoration stone was set on 11th September 1906 A.D. by the Honorable Joseph Hector Carruthers, Premier of New South Wales, acting for David Scott Mitchell, M.A., donor of the Mitchell Library'.

Cylindrical glass container enclosing documents and coins. The lid was originally sealed with wax.
Printed sheet: 'Commemorative Stone of the Mitchell Library. This stone is laid by the Honorable Joseph Hector Carruthers, M.A., M.L.A., Premier of the State of New South Wales...' Includes names of the Governor, Ministry, Library Trustees, senior library staff and architect.
Printed speech of Hon. Alexander Kethel MLC, Acting President of the Trustees; printed speech of Hon. J.H. Carruthers, Premier of NSW; manuscript draft of Kethel's speech
Newspapers: Daily Telegraph, 10, 11 Sept. 1906; Evening News, 10 Sept. 1906; Australian Star, 10 Sept. 1906; Sydney Morning Herald, 11 Sept. 1906
National Library Act, 1905; Act to incorporate the Trustees of the Public Library of NSW, 1899
Report of the Trustees for 1905 (printed 1906)
Historical Notes Commemorative of the Building of the Mitchell Wing, by F.M. Bladen, Sydney, Govt. Printer, 1906
Guide to the system of cataloguing of the Reference Library, with regulations for visitors, hints to readers and students, and rules for cataloguing, by H.C.L. Anderson, 3rd. ed., 1898
By-laws for the management of the Library, Public Library of New South Wales, Sydney, Govt. Printer, 1901
Coins (8). 1. Bronze coin commemorating 100 years of settlement, obverse: 'Australia / January 26 1788 / GR', reverse: arms of NSW '1888'; 2. Bronze coin, obverse: 'Victoria Regina', reverse: 'Sydney Branch of the Royal Mint / established 1855'; 3. Bronze coin, obverse: 'Queen Victoria / L.C. Wyon'; 4. Queen Victoria silver crown, 1889; 5. Queen Victoria silver double florin, 1889; 6. Edward VII bronze penny, 1906; 7. Edward VII bronze halfpenny, 1905; 8. Edward VII silver threepence, 1905

The trowel and mallet used to lay the stone are located at R 915.