[Fresh]

Now I shouldn't be even saying this, as a Sydney-sider it's not the done thing to acknowledge Melbourne let alone praise it. But I came across these pictures recently at the same time i learnt that in 1900 Melbourne was the second city of British Empire. I've enjoyed myself thoroughly with the old photos of American cities i've seen on this site and marveled at just how grand they were for so long ago, they become even more poignant given the decline of some.

Australia's a long way from anywhere and it is not a country that looks back at it's history that much, so I was simply unaware of the wealth and grandeur of Melbourne. At the time it was larger and much more important than Sydney and on January 1st 1901 became the capital of the new country of Australia, a title it lost to Canberra in the thirties. The buildings may not be as tall as American cities around the same time, the industry not quite as dynamic, but I think that everyone who appreciates cities and especially those historical snapshots will find something to enjoy here.

There may be a few outliers but the vast bulk come from between 1890 and 1920, leaning towards the first decade of the century.

All photos are from

http://www.thecollectormm.com.au/gal...ian/index.html

except the last which is from

http://doubleconvexphotography.com/c...rom-melbourne/














































































































http://doubleconvexphotography.com/c...ntent/uploads/

That'll do pig....