Sydney Centennial Park – Unusual Period Ephemera – Design for the Main Gates – Self Measuring Pocket Book – J Moore 1886

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Sydney Centennial Park – Unusual Period Ephemera – Design for the Main Gates – Self Measuring Pocket Book – J Moore 1886

Short Description

This little self measuring pocket book could be found at W.E. Smith, bookbinder printer etc of bridge Street Sydney in the 1880’s.

Original owners name J Moore and dated Feb 16th 1886. Contains a number of architectural sketches and notes and financial doodles.

Most interestingly are the notes re ”3 Gateways for Centennial Park”. We have Moore’s rough notes re dimensions – 122 ft in total with various access for Carriage and Horse, below that a lightly scribbled concept. To the right some finer work on the suggested pillar work and wrought iron embellishments.

Overleaf a much fuller concept. All of which would have made for a fine set of gates.

The actual gates were in fact built between the date of these sketches and the official opening of Centennial Park in January 1888 – three trees were planted in a rather [then barren plot. Sadly for Moore the gates were not to his design – but not completely dissimilar – we prefer our man.

Some interesting little sketches and the odd house and kitchen design elsewhere but also, as with many similar items, rather a lot of blank pages.

An interesting architectural conversation piece.

Sydney Centennial Park Gates the Preferred Design

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