[Melbourne]

The Exhibition Album of Melbourne Views [cover title]

[Melbourne, no publisher identified, circa 1880].

A twelve-panel leporello (printed rectos only), overall internal dimensions 135 × 1337 mm, folding down to 138 × 120 mm (external dimensions), containing 20 illustrations (sepia-coloured lithographs based on photographs, with the printed surface then varnished or glazed). Twelve views are half-page, 2 are full-page, and there are 2 panoramas sharing one double-page opening.

Blue stippled cloth decorated and titled in gilt on the front cover, and decorated in blind on the rear; cloth slightly rubbed, with some gilt flaked away in parts; one inner hinge neatly reinforced; an excellent copy.

One of the panoramic views is 'The Melbourne International Exhibition' building (known as the Royal Exhibition Building today); the inaugural event was held there from October 1880 to April 1881.