Summary

Glass negative stereograph showing the Municipal Arch, Princes Bridge. It is part of the G. H. Myers Collection which consists of 73 photographs taken by Godfrey Henry Myers, an electrician and amateur photographer, in Melbourne during May 1901. 72 of these photographs depict preparations for the celebrations that surrounded Federation; all but one are glass stereographs. This collection represents Myers' one venture into commercial photography. It is significant for its images of the crowds, which do not feature so prominently in commercial photographs. The remaining photograph is a family portrait.

The opening of the Australian Parliament on May 9 1901 was an occasion for great celebrations in Melbourne. Ten days of festivities (from 6-16 May) were planned to mark the Federation of the new nation and honour the Royal visitors, the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. The city was transformed with decorations - flags, bunting, colourful lights and festive arches - and a series of public events were held, including a military tattoo and several street parades. Unprecedented numbers of people arrived in Melbourne from the rest of Victoria and throughout Australia to take part in the celebrations.

Description of Content

The Municipal (or Corporation) Arch, erected in 1901 to celebrate the Federation Celebrations, spanned the southern end of Princes Bridge, Melbourne. A horse and buggy is being driven towards us. This view from the south shows the prow of a galley ship, the Ship of State, in the centre of the arch facing St Kilda from where the Duke and Duchess of York would arrive. Each of the six oars represents a State. The three masts which had tethered flags gave the galley the appearance of actually sailing. Designed by Harold Desbrowe Annear, who had worked as a carpenter for the theatrical producer J. C. Williamson, the inside of the arches were painted deep crimson and spangled with stars each of which were lit by electric bulbs. This monumental arch was the most imposing of the nine arches, and the one Melburnians most wanted to keep.

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