The J S Battye Library of West Australian History formally came into being in December 1956. It was named after Dr James Sykes Battye (1871-1954), the first librarian of the Public Library of Western Australia (now the State Library ) from 1894-1954. The Battye Library has a vast array of publications including books, newspapers, periodicals, maps, ephemera, as well as original records such as oral history tapes, photographs and artworks, films and video, and non-government records kept in the library's Private Archives collection. Featured here are only a few of the many treasures.

The Treasures...

Pelaert Journal

Pelsaert Journal, 1647

Freycinet Collection

Freycinet Collection, 1801, 1818

John Septimus Roe's Logbook

John Septimus Roe's Logbook, 1817

Augusta Painting

Augusta Painting, 1830

Manuscript and Silk Newspapers

Manuscript and Silk Newspapers, 1831, 1915

WA's First Book

WA's First Book, 1835

Arrowsmith Map

Arrowsmith Map, 1839

First Theatrical Performance

First Theatrical Performance, 1839

Perth Daguerreotype

Perth Daguerreotype, 1860

Norwoodiana

Norwoodiana, 1867

Illuminated Addresses

Illuminated Addresses, 1895

Durlacher Manuscript

Durlacher Manuscript, 1901

Billingee Drawings

Billingee Drawings, 1907

Perth Street Scenes

Perth Street Scenes, 1907

Bedford Children's Drawing Book

Bedford Children's Drawing Book, 1909

Babette Augustin Diary

Babette Augustin Diary, 1912-1917

Brearley Pilot's Licences

Brearley Pilot's Licences, 1915-1937

DH Lawrence Letters

D H Lawrence Letters, 1923-1924

Rica Erickson Botanical Collection

Rica Erickson Botanical Collection, 1933, 1951

Ray Stewart Collection

Ray Stewart Collection, 1942-1945

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