The State Library of South Australia have posted portraits of over 1000 “Old Colonists,” which were previously only seen at the State Library itself. Included are indexes and online catalog records. The portraits are of folks who arrived prior to 1841. The photographs have a fascinating story behind them.
According to the Library’s Facebook page,
“‘The Old Colonists Banquet Group’ of men was commissioned by businessman Emanuel Solomon to commemorate a free banquet he held at the Adelaide Town Hall on 28th December 1871 for fellow colonists ‘who date their arrival before 1841’.
“The companion mosaic of women was created partly as a consolation to women who applied for tickets only to be told that the banquet was for ‘the Male Sex’!
Take a look at the collections by clicking on the following links:
http://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+47769
http://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+19985
