Stories
Explore fascinating stories from the collections of the State Library of South Australia.
We also have extended stories from the collection for you to read and explore.
![Don Bradman - How I play cricket, poster [PRG 682/15/94]](/sites/default/files/styles/tile_native_1x/public/2021-04/Don-Bradman-How-I-play-cricket-poster-PRG682_15_94.png?itok=ZjVhtuyP)
Don Bradman
The stories that make us.The State Library of South Australia thanks the Bradman family and the Bradman Foundation for its support with the development of the Sir Donald Bradman...
A clay tablet from Mesopotamia
The stories that make us.This clay tablet from Mesopotamia is the State Library of South Australia's oldest artefact, dating from ca. 2400-2300 BC. It originated in the area referred...
The Antiphonal: A Timeless Treasure
The stories that make us.Discover the Antiphonal, a 13th-century illuminated manuscript and one of the State Library of South Australia's most exquisite treasures. Captivating visitors with its extraordinary history...
A literary gem: Emma. A novel. In three volumes
The stories that make us.Did you know that your State Library holds a first edition of ‘Emma’ by Jane Austen? Tucked away in the treasure-filled Rare Book Collection is...
Cornucopia
The stories that make us.Step into a world of blooming beauty and historical wonder at Cornucopia: gardens and gardening in South Australia. Immerse yourself in South Australia's rich gardening...
Kate Cocks: South Australia's first policewoman
The stories that make usKate Cocks was an amazing woman who devoted her life to helping women and children to escape violence and abuse. Read on to find out...
From silk hats to white goods
The stories that make us.The locally made Simpson automatic washing machine eased the burden of weekly duties for South Australian housewives when it was first produced in the 1940s...
Designing the Angove's 'handy gallon pack' wine cask
The stories that make us.Wytt Morrô was one of Australia's most important graphic designer of wine labels. His labels for Stonyfell Metala and Orlando Barossa Pearl in the 1950s...
WH Edmunds: The magnificent mapmaker
The stories that make us.The following saying has never been more true than for WH Edmunds. His maps are the jewels in the crown of the Map Collection of...
Sensational end of a magnificent flight
The stories that make us.Englishman Arthur Jones had undertaken flights in other parts of Australia before venturing to Adelaide to thrill us with the magic of powered flight. He...
Don't touch that dial! Children’s radio club badges and pins
The stories that make usIt might seem strange, but sometimes historical items are literally picked up off the ground. This collection of children’s radio club badges and pins was...
Captured Flowers
The capture of South Australia’s wildflowers and plants in paintings and sketches began early in the colony’s history. Flower painting was considered an acceptable genteel...
Apinya's letter written in Pitjantjatjara language
The stories that make usEric Api (Apinya) is celebrated as being the first to write a letter in Pitjantjatjara. He attended the Ernabella school where all students learnt to...
The Skipper Sketchbook featuring Lola Montez
The stories that make usArtist John Michael Skipper sketched many aspects of colonial South Australia, including the landscape, Adelaide streets, buildings, people, and notable events. Skipper made several sketches...
City's lone barmaid
The stories that make us"CITY'S LONE BARMAID Forty years ago this week, Adelaide stopped registering barmaids. Only one is still on the job, Miss Lily Dear, of the Oriental...
![Toy koala with scarf [clrcri22543752_1]](/sites/default/files/styles/tile_native_1x/public/2021-03/Keifee-post-war-koala.jpg?itok=xXkjk8M_)
Meet Keiffee the post-war koala toy
The story of Valerie’s koalaValerie was busy tidying her things and had to decide what she would do with Keifee the koala, her treasured childhood toy. Three generations of...