A Lesson in Bold Design
Exploring the John and Phyllis Murphy Collection of historic wallpapers
Talk and highlights tour of the recently donated John and Phyllis Murphy Collection of over 3,000 historical wallpapers.
If you believe that all our home interiors of the past were dark and gloomy, you are bound to change your mind when you see this collection! Our grandparents and ancestors were clearly not afraid of bold colours and lively patterns … and maybe you will be a convert as well? The Caroline Simpson Library now holds the largest collection of historical wallpapers in Australia.
Join Research Curator Michael Lech as he provides a talk and behind-the-scenes highlights tour of the recently donated John and Phyllis Murphy Collection of over 3,000 historical wallpapers. The designs of these wallpapers, which date from the 1850s to the 1970s, are likely to surprise.
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Collections Series
The MHNSW Collection Series explores the many stories of home, garden, history and life celebrated in these expansive and diverse collections
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
Caroline Simpson Library
The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street, Sydney NSW 2000- Cafe
- Wheelchair accessible
- Wednesday 5 February 6pm–7.30pm
Wallpaper
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
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
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
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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