LILYDALE ICON: A History of Lilydale's Athenaeum Building. Volume One (1888-1919)

Lilydale, Victoria, Australia: Athenaeum Theatre Company, 2005. 186pp. B/white illustrations throughout. Book clean, square. Spine firm. Leaves clean and unmarked. Colour-illustrated card wrapper negligibly edgeworn only, very soft crease to upper foredge corner of rear panel.This is Volume One of a three volume set chronicling the history of Lilydale's Athenaeum Building, from mechanics' institute to majestic theatre. "This volume covers the tumultous times of the Athenaeum's early days. It begins in the 1880's with a prosperous and growing Lilydale looking to establish for itself a community institution that was then the mark of any progressive township in Victoria, a Mechanics' Institute . . . the 1890's economic Depression threatens it and the Athenaeum is only saved at the eleventh hour by the Shire Council. It also witnesses the early days of silent cinema, the debates, voting and celebrations over Federation, the emotional farewells given to the local men as they head off to serve in the Boer War and the Great War, and the hallowed voice of the greatest Australian of this time, Dame Nellie Melba." Includes Index. Book weight approx. 812g. (Customers outside Australia only - This item will incur extra postage charges as it will weigh over 1KG. with packing. Please email for quote).. First Edition. Softcover. Very Good+. 4to - (approx. 29.5cm x 21cm).