Wall to wallpaper
A vast and invaluable collection in the Caroline Simpson Library
Historic wallpaper collection
The Caroline Simpson Library holds Australia’s largest repository of historic wallpapers. Dating back to the 1840s, these papers appear in a variety of formats including wallpaper rolls, wallpaper sample books, and remnants retrieved from buildings. Given the late production of wallpapers in Australia, many of these thousands of examples were produced in Great Britain and elsewhere overseas.
John and Phyllis Murphy collection
Wallpaper
Wall to wall: a marvellous wallpaper collection
A remarkable donation of over 3,000 wallpaper samples by John and Phyllis Murphy adds to our existing collection to form Australia’s largest repository of historic wallpapers
Latest News
Wallpaper in the spotlight
Work has begun on documenting this valuable collection to ensure each design is preserved against the effects of time for future generations to enjoy
On display
Featured display
A Generous Gift: The John and Phyllis Murphy Collection
Our current library display features an array of colourful and evocative historical wallpapers from the John and Phyllis Murphy Collection
Tuesday 29 October
Wallpaper
Beyond the wallpaper: the life and work of Phyllis and John Murphy
A significant donation of more than 3,000 wallpaper samples to the Caroline Simpson Library reflects just one facet of the remarkable careers of Phyllis and John Murphy, partners in life, architecture and heritage conservation
Wallpaper
Wallpaper printing rollers: from machine printing to 3D capture
In December 2022, Phyllis Murphy AM generously donated to the Caroline Simpson Library more than 3,000 wallpaper samples. While the bulk of the donation consists of wallpaper rolls, lengths and sample books, it also includes two printing rollers
Fully digitised wallpaper sample books
View two fully digitised wallpaper sample books produced in 1894 and 1925 respectively from the John and Phyllis Murphy Collection
Wallpaper in the collection
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Wallpaper
Trainspotting wallpaper from Blackdown, Bathurst NSW
Although the railway did not officially arrive at the New South Wales town of Bathurst until 1876, at a nearby property, Blackdown, a virtual railway station had been created more than 20 years earlier
Wallpaper
Sci-fi wallpaper (and other designs for children)
We dug deep into our collections and found wonderfully whimsical wallpaper, designed for children’s bedroom walls
Wallpaper
Mr Fox’s wallpapers
The digitisation of NSW school files at NSW State Archives has resulted in an unusual discovery: 19th-century wallpaper samples
Wallpaper
Wallpaper recreated for 'The Harp in the South'
The Harp in the South wallpaper was recreated to evoke the main setting for the novels and play: the Darcy family’s run-down terrace house at 12½ Plymouth Street, Surry Hills in 1940s Sydney
Nursery rhyme wallpapers
Nursery rhyme wallpapers with vivid and moralistic designs, drawn sometimes by famous illustrators like Kate Greenaway, were popular in Victorian nurseries.
Wallpaper discoveries
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Dick Whittington and his cat
The tall tale of Dick Whittington and his adventurous cat reminded children that good deeds and generosity will ultimately lead to great fortune
The beauties we find
At the rear of the Heritage team office in the northern range of the Hyde Park Barracks there is a room that was the quarters of the District Court judge
Wallpaper
Trainspotting wallpaper from Blackdown, Bathurst NSW
Although the railway did not officially arrive at the New South Wales town of Bathurst until 1876, at a nearby property, Blackdown, a virtual railway station had been created more than 20 years earlier
Wallpaper
Wallpaper ‘sandwich’ from Pyrmont
A ‘sandwich’ of many layers of wallpaper uncovered behind timber panelling has opened a small, colourful window into the popularity of wallpaper in mid 19th century Sydney