[Post Office, Sydney, George Street], 1838 / drawing by John Carmichael

SV/319

fonds

1838

Graphic Materials, Drawings

1001844

1 drawing - pencil - 25 x 30 cm

John Carmichael (1803-1857) artist and engraver, was born in Scotland and arrived in New South Wales in 1825. He is notable for having been one of the earliest free emigrant artists to pursue a lifelong professional career in New South Wales.

Sydney's first Post Office was in use from the 1830s in the former police office building in George Street, on the site of the current General Post Office (GPO) building. Postmaster James Raymond (1786-1851) took office in 1829 and became the first Postmaster-General of NSW. In the late 1840s the building was altered and given a portico facade, however by the late 1860s it was considered too small and plans were made for a new larger GPO building to be built by Colonial Architect James Barnett. The existing post office building was demolished in 1863.

References:
Library correspondence file
Design and Art Australia Online. https://www.daao.org.au (accessed 2 November 2016).
Dictionary of Sydney Online. http://dictionaryofsydney.org/ (accessed 2 November 2016).

Drawing of General Post Office building, George Street, Sydney.

Out of copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Inscribed in pencil 'P.M. James Raymond Esq P.O. Sydney George St, 1838'