[Austral Brindisi Subdivision]

'Austral-Brindisi. Subdivision of Section 756, H[undred of] Port Adelaide' (an impressive poster for a proposed subdivision of land situated between Largs Bay and the Outer Harbor in Adelaide's north-western outer suburbs)

Adelaide, Matters & Co., [circa 1911].

A large pictorial poster printed on thick paper, now professionally mounted on thick acid-free tissue (external dimensions 574 × 908 mm, printed surface size approximately 476 × 708 mm).

One sealed tear extending unobtrusively into the printed area; a few marginal chips and slight loss to the wide margins (well clear of the printed areas); these are trifling blemishes, and overall, the mounted poster is in excellent condition.

Advertising for this subdivision began in earnest in late 1911, and an article in 'The Mail' (Saturday 17 August 1912) contains the following information: 'The land in the vicinity of the Outer Harbour is being extensively sought after. The pioneer of the district (Capt. Osborne) has a fine residence there with spacious grounds. The two main sections of the Outer Harbour are Austral Brindisi and Austral Brindisi Estate, which were laid out by Messrs. Matters & Co. Austral Brindisi was disposed of within a month after being cut up into allotments, and the estate which is now before the public is rapidly being taken up. The estate has sea frontages, and extends back in the direction of the Osborne Station. This land is excellent for building purposes, and is capable of growing anything. There being an abundance of sand, one is able to build dwellings exceedingly cheap'. By 1913 Matters & Co. were advertising their third subdivision of the area. (The original name 'Outer Harbour' was officially changed to the American English version 'Outer Harbor' in 1913; we have used whichever version was current at the time.)

Our poster leaves no virtue unextolled. 'Austral Brinidisi is adjoining Captain Osborne's beautiful home. The garden and luxuriant growth of trees, shrubs, and flowers are evidence of the fertility of the spot. Austral Brindisi is facing Osborne Railway Station, with the Gulf and Beach for bathing close at hand, and full view of the shipping to and from our Harbour. Boating and Fishing may be indulged in with safety, either in the Bay or on the Port River, close at hand. The double line of Railway connects AUSTRAL BRINDISI with the City, and trains run frequently and conveniently. Water is obtainable at a depth of a few feet, and the great watermains to the Outer Harbour pass the land'.

We've saved the best until last: the 'Great Outer Harbour Resort' is 'almost immediately opposite The New Shipbuilding Yards where hundreds of men, skilled artisans and labourers, will shortly be employed. The construction of these big works have already been put in hand'. The detailed artist's impression of this suburban idyll leave nothing to the imagination: thick black smoke is shown billowing from the smokestacks of the (yet to be constructed) shipyards.

That site is now occupied by a power station, and the current street plan bears little resemblance to that in the poster (having been supplanted in part by New Haven Village, North Haven), but Captain Osborne's fine old pile still stands, used today as a community centre.

Item #133074

Price (AUD): $650.00
other currencies