Treasures
Benham Bookcase
A 19th century Australian cedar colonial bookcase, the upper portion with moulded cornice, four glazed doors enclosing shelves, surmounted by carved C scrolls, flower and foliage ornaments, lower portion with moulded fronts to the drawers and semi-shield shape applied panels to the doors.
SOURCE RGSSA R6
Camel Reins and Nose Peg
The plaited leather reins and nose peg were also made in 1891 by E King. The nose line attached to the peg is a safety precaution so that an abrupt pull on the line breaks the line rather than tearing the camel’s nostril.
SOURCE RGSSA R16B
Camel Saddle - Model
Model of a camel pack saddle made in 1891 by surveyor E. King. A timber frame and rope keep the saddle together and the sticks on either side form a hanging frame for the load. Care is taken to fit comfortably on the camel. after every trip it is relined with straw.
SOURCE RGSSA R16
Canteen - used on Stuart's 5th expedition
The canteens were used to carry water, strapped to saddles, and only used sparingly during the day in case the party had to camp without finding a water source. Stuart’s men had to ask his permission to drink while on the trek.
Found in 1871, abandoned where W Masters had dropped it on a track between Barrow and Tennant creeks.
The canteens were of interest to First Nations People who reportedly had never seen metal before and tried to gather them up at Kekwick’s Ponds in June 1860.
SOURCE RGSSA R76
Colonial and Indian Exhibition medal 1886
At the Colonial and Indian Exhibition in London 1886, South Australia showed local industry and agriculture:
- A Naval torpedo manufactured by Simpson & Sons.
- Horse drawn Coach building and models of local tram carriages, all constructed from native timbers.
- Agriculture including apples, olive oil and wine tastings
- Handbooks highlighting successful colonialists and information about the regions including resources to encourage migrants.
Source RGSSA R56a presented to all exhibitors along with a poster
Colonial Dining Table and Chairs
A 19th century Australian cedar colonial dining table with oblong extending top with slightly D-shape ends, including seven leaves, five turned and fluted legs (one of which is to centre), with brass castors to feet, c. 1860, 473 cm over-all length. A set of nine mid-Victorian mahogany dining chairs, each with oval back surmounted by carved scroll and foliage ornament, turned front legs with carved acanthus decorated knees, hide covers to seat and back, c. 1865. The chairs were refurbished in 1985, the table was refurbished in 2002.
SOURCE RGSSA R96A-J
Compass used by P Egerton-Warbuton
Source RGSSA R22
Fragments of the Tablet Erected by Flinders at Port Lincoln, Feb., 1802.
To commemorate the death of eight of his men at Port Lincoln, Flinders inscribed a copper plaque. As he described it: “I therefore caused an inscription to be engraven upon a sheet of copper and set up on a stout post at the head of the cove, which I named Memory Cove . . .”‘
SOURCE RGSSA R32A-B
Growth cut from tree marked by Gosse
W.H Tietkins (explorer) cut it out in 1890 at Camp 6, Stevenson Peak, Peterman Ranges N. T. (G and S mirror image).
Information about Gosse's expedition can be found in Read More
Source RGSSA R38
Lewis's Leather Dispatch Bag - "Pony Express"
With the OVERLAND TELEGRAPH construction running behind time and with a 420km gap between the ends, Charles Todd, Superintendent of the Overland Telegraph, offered the ESTAFETTE CONTRACT to John Lewis, who agreed to meet Ray Parkin Boucaut and travel to Daly Waters. During this ride they formed the “Pony Express” to carry messages between the two ever closing ends of the Overland Telegraph Line thereby maintaining the telegraph link from Adelaide to Darwin and then England. A series of camps with fresh horses were stationed across the gap.
Day by day the rides were shortened until the wires of the telegraph were joined on 22nd August 1872 at Frew’s Ponds, some 90km South of Daly Waters.
Source RGSSA R46 donated by John Lewis
Light’s Surveying Equipment.
Colonel William Light was appointed Surveyor-General of South Australia in 1836 with the commission to select a site for the capital city. He was thus the Founder of Adelaide, and the following are some of the equipment he used in his profession – a tripod, dumpy level and surveyor’s staff.
SOURCE RGSSA R49
Newland Map Cabinet
An Australian oak map chest with six full width drawers. It bears an engraved silver plate inscribed: ‘A memorial to Major V. M. Newland, O.B.E., M.C., D.C.M., 1954.’ V. M. Newland was President of the Society in 1936-37.
SOURCE RGSSA R60
Piece of Pemmican
In 1872 Colonel Peter Egerton- Warburton led an exploratory party of 7 men and 17 camels (from Beltana). They departed Alice Springs in 1873, crossed the Great Sandy Desert and survived extreme heat and lack of water by killing the camels and drying their meat. They arrived at Oakover river 1300km north of Perth with Warburton strapped to one of two remaining camels. The party suffered from scurvy and Warburton had lost sight in one eye. They reached Roebourne and returned to Adelaide by ship in 1874
Source RGSSA R100 View More below for recipe
Portrait of Colonel Light
A portrait on canvas by George A. J. Webb, “Colonel Light,” signed and dated 1904,60 x 50 cm, in gilded gesso frame encrusted with oak leaves and acorns. Presented by the Hon. John Lewis.
SOURCE RGSSA R47
Presidents Chair
This throne, made entirely of Australian blackwood and upholstered in Australian leather by Messrs. Pengelley & Co., of Edwardstown, was offered to the Society as a gift in June, 1927, by the then President of the Society, Mr. A. A. Simpson.
SOURCE RGSSA R71
R H Edmunds Rifle
Percussion cap .45 inch Whitwirth Wesley Richards barrelled rifle.
R H EDMUNDS 1834 -1917 Edmunds was a senior surveyor. and he became second in command to McKinlay. He did the preliminary survey of port Darwin and Daly River. On returning to Adelaide, he was appointed superintendent of Yatala prison.
Source RGSSA R28
Royal Geographical Society (London) Patron's Medal1840 (Gold)
Presented to Robert H Schomburgk For his perseverance and success in exploring the territory and investigating the resources of British Guyana.
Source RGSSA R69 – donated by Otto Schomburgk (nephew)
Sextant used by P Egerton-Warburton
Source RGSSA R98
Stuart's Table
A simple writing table with moulded rim and drawer was made by Stuart while working for James Sinclair at Green Patch Station Pt Lincoln in 1854. Donald Sinclair said that this table was used by Stuart when teaching him and his siblings to read and write.
Source RGSSA R81 donated by S. Sinclair
Stuart’s Chair
This folding chair was made by Stuart while working for James Sinclair at Green Patch Station Pt Lincoln in 1854. It is threaded with kangaroo hide thonging originally made by Stuart. Restoration by Artlab.
Source RGSSA R78 donated by Mr S. Sinclair
Stuart’s Tree
At the termination of his third attempt at crossing the Australian continent between October, 1861-July, 1862, John McDouall Stuart planted a flag on a tree on the shores of Van Diemen’s Gulf overlooking the Indian Ocean. J.M.D.S. was cut into the bark of a large tree, a short way inland.
SOURCE RGSSA R87A
Tapa Cloth - two examples
The Tapa displayed symbolise historic journeys. These are basically navigation designs used in a similar way to navigation instruments and charts that were used by Captain Cook. The design is determined through the items that one would see on a sea journey. The circle shows the sun when overhead it was locally 'noon'. When the moon was overhead it was midnight. The cloth also shows 'rope' like figures, and determines weather patterns. When the tide is running hard, or the seas rough, the navigators of Samoa used ropes to keep their craft together, as they were bound by fibre. The triangle or diamonds indicate leaves. The leaves form patterns of current or tidal movement which may then be interpreted whilst at sea on the proximity of land, shoals or indeed current direction patterns. Polynesians were very good navigators, amazing early Europeans with their accuracy.
Source RGSSA R129
Walking Stick used by John McKinlay
In 1865 McKinlay was appointed to as government resident for the newly declared Northern Territory of South Australia. McKinlay led a party of 12 to decide where to establish a settlement. They returned to Adelaide by the Beatrice in August 1866, to a hero’s welcome. McKinlay recommend Port Darwin as being suitable for settlement. McKinlay settled on his pastoral land around Gawler. There is a monument to him in the main street.
Source RGSSA R55