Curator Talks
Stories from the Stacks
The following episodes of Stories from the Stacks feature items from the State Library of South Australia's collection that were either used by the crew during the Great Air Race of 1919, were relevant to the crew members, or were inspired by the race.
Presented by Carolyn Spooner, Librarian at the State Library of South Australia and curator of the Heroes of the Skies website.
Under each episode, you will find images and links to the items being discussed.
Music featured in the video is an instrumental version of the song Enough, composed and performed by Steve Lennox, from his album In the Lighter Dark.
A page from the Intercom book of Vimy G-EAOU used during England-Australia flight. SLSA: PRG 18/30/6
A page from the Intercom book of Vimy G-EAOU used during England-Australia flight. SLSA: PRG 18/30/6
A page from the Intercom book of Vimy G-EAOU used during England-Australia flight. SLSA: PRG 18/30/6
A page from the Intercom book of Vimy G-EAOU used during England-Australia flight. SLSA: PRG 18/30/6
A page from the Intercom book of Vimy G-EAOU used during England-Australia flight. SLSA: PRG 18/30/6
A page from the Intercom book of Vimy G-EAOU used during England-Australia flight. SLSA: PRG 18/30/6
A page from the Intercom book of Vimy G-EAOU used during England-Australia flight. SLSA: PRG 18/30/6
A page from the Intercom book of Vimy G-EAOU used during England-Australia flight. SLSA: PRG 18/30/6
A page from the Intercom book of Vimy G-EAOU used during England-Australia flight. SLSA: PRG 18/30/6
A page from the Intercom book of Vimy G-EAOU used during England-Australia flight. SLSA: PRG 18/30/6
A page from the Intercom book of Vimy G-EAOU used during England-Australia flight. SLSA: PRG 18/30/6
A page from the Intercom book of Vimy G-EAOU used during England-Australia flight. SLSA: PRG 18/30/6
The outer envelope from the Prime Minister's Department, in which the original letter and envelope were inside, was forwarded to Dora Horwood. SLSA: D 7813/3 (L)
The outer envelope from the Prime Minister's Department, in which the original letter and envelope were inside, was forwarded to Dora Horwood. SLSA: D 7813/3 (L)
A sample of the First Aerial Post stamp used for the post onboard the Vickers Vimy flight during the Great Air Race of 1919. SLSA: PRG 301
A sample of the First Aerial Post stamp used for the post onboard the Vickers Vimy flight during the Great Air Race of 1919. SLSA: PRG 301
The original envelope bearing a 'first aerial mail' stamp and was addressed to Miss Horwood. SLSA: D 7813/12(L)
The original envelope bearing a 'first aerial mail' stamp and was addressed to Miss Horwood. SLSA: D 7813/12(L)
Letter, dated 9 November 1919, written just prior to departure from England by Ross Smith to Dora Horwood, and then carried on the historic flight from England to Australia. SLSA: D 7813/1(L)
Letter, dated 9 November 1919, written just prior to departure from England by Ross Smith to Dora Horwood, and then carried on the historic flight from England to Australia. SLSA: D 7813/1(L)
Envelope carrying the letter from Ross Smith to Miss Annie Wood of Linden Park dated 9 November 1919, with violet cachet 'Per Vickers "Vimy" Aeroplane to Australia', carried in the Vimy Vickers during the England-Australia Air Race.9 November 1919. SLSA: PRG 18/28/29/2
Envelope carrying the letter from Ross Smith to Miss Annie Wood of Linden Park dated 9 November 1919, with violet cachet 'Per Vickers "Vimy" Aeroplane to Australia', carried in the Vimy Vickers during the England-Australia Air Race.9 November 1919. SLSA: PRG 18/28/29/2
Letter from Ross Smith to Miss Annie Wood of Linden Park dated 9 November 1919, with violet cachet 'Per Vickers "Vimy" Aeroplane to Australia', carried in the Vimy Vickers during the England-Australia Air Race.9 November 1919. SLSA: PRG 18/28/29/1
Letter from Ross Smith to Miss Annie Wood of Linden Park dated 9 November 1919, with violet cachet 'Per Vickers "Vimy" Aeroplane to Australia', carried in the Vimy Vickers during the England-Australia Air Race.9 November 1919. SLSA: PRG 18/28/29/1
Ross Smith standing by the Vickers Vimy, speaking with Lieutenant Hudson Fysh and other officials after landing in Darwin, the final stage of the England-Australia air race. SLSA: PRG 18/9/3/1B
Ross Smith standing by the Vickers Vimy, speaking with Lieutenant Hudson Fysh and other officials after landing in Darwin, the final stage of the England-Australia air race. SLSA: PRG 18/9/3/1B
Vickers Vimy and crew arriving in Darwin, 10 December 1919. SLSA: PRG 18/55/5
Vickers Vimy and crew arriving in Darwin, 10 December 1919. SLSA: PRG 18/55/5
Ross Smith addressing a crowd in Darwin, 10 December 1919. SLSA: B 58872
Ross Smith addressing a crowd in Darwin, 10 December 1919. SLSA: B 58872
Folding steel ruler manufactured by Chesterman Sheffield (England). The metal ruler measures 21 inches long when unfolded, and consists of seven pieces each three inches long, which fold together to a compact form 3 cm x 1 cm x 0.5 cm. SLSA: PRG 18/43/8/3
Folding steel ruler manufactured by Chesterman Sheffield (England). The metal ruler measures 21 inches long when unfolded, and consists of seven pieces each three inches long, which fold together to a compact form 3 cm x 1 cm x 0.5 cm. SLSA: PRG 18/43/8/3
Inside page of the book 14,000 miles through the air, written by Sir Ross Smith, 1922.
Inside page of the book 14,000 miles through the air, written by Sir Ross Smith, 1922.
Tallis map of part of South Australia, ca. 1851. The map drawn and engraved by J. Rapkin. The illustrations by H. Warren and engraved by J. Rogers. SLSA: C 1112
Tallis map of part of South Australia, ca. 1851. The map drawn and engraved by J. Rapkin. The illustrations by H. Warren and engraved by J. Rogers. SLSA: C 1112
Image of the 'The Sir Ross Smith' Aeroplane Race Game. You can download the game here.
Image of the 'The Sir Ross Smith' Aeroplane Race Game. You can download the game here.
"Dedicated to the Vickers Vimy crew". Cover carries portraits of J.M. Bennett, Ross Smith, Keith Smith, and W.H. Shiers in uniform. Sheet music composed and written by Emma Ronchetti-Allin and Jack Fewster. SLSA: ZSM 0689
"Dedicated to the Vickers Vimy crew". Cover carries portraits of J.M. Bennett, Ross Smith, Keith Smith, and W.H. Shiers in uniform. Sheet music composed and written by Emma Ronchetti-Allin and Jack Fewster. SLSA: ZSM 0689
Front cover of The Chronicle, 19 January 1924, which features an article and image of Emma Ronchetti-Allin. SLSA: South Australian Collection
Front cover of The Chronicle, 19 January 1924, which features an article and image of Emma Ronchetti-Allin. SLSA: South Australian Collection
Image of Emma Ronchetti-Allin in The Chronicle newspaper dates 19 January 1924. South Australiana Collection
Image of Emma Ronchetti-Allin in The Chronicle newspaper dates 19 January 1924. South Australiana Collection
Ross Smith (left) and Keith Smith (right) with Edward Prince of Wales (centre) after presenting a lecture on their England to Australia flight in London. An advertisement for the lecture can be seen in the background. SLSA: PRG 18/10/6
Ross Smith (left) and Keith Smith (right) with Edward Prince of Wales (centre) after presenting a lecture on their England to Australia flight in London. An advertisement for the lecture can be seen in the background. SLSA: PRG 18/10/6
Ross and Keith Smith in a car outside Buckingham Palace, after Keith received his knighthood as a member of the Order of the British Empire (K.B.E.) from King George V, in recognition of the England-Australia flight. A crowd of well-wishers is gathered around the car. SLSA: PRG 18/10/4
Ross and Keith Smith in a car outside Buckingham Palace, after Keith received his knighthood as a member of the Order of the British Empire (K.B.E.) from King George V, in recognition of the England-Australia flight. A crowd of well-wishers is gathered around the car. SLSA: PRG 18/10/4
Portrait of Dame Nellie Melba, described in the caption as 'a great opera singer', circa 1890. SLSA: PRG 280/1/2/504
Portrait of Dame Nellie Melba, described in the caption as 'a great opera singer', circa 1890. SLSA: PRG 280/1/2/504
Envelope of the letter Dame Nellie Melba sent to Sir Ross Smith. SLSA: South Australiana Collection
Envelope of the letter Dame Nellie Melba sent to Sir Ross Smith. SLSA: South Australiana Collection
Letter written by Dame Nellie Melba to Sir Ross Smith. SLSA: South Australiana collection
Letter written by Dame Nellie Melba to Sir Ross Smith. SLSA: South Australiana collection
'Melba's Triumph. "Au Reviour" concert at Albert Hall. A review of the concert appeared in The Times, Monday 9 May 1921. Sir Ross and Sire Keith Smith attended the concert. SLSA: South Australiana Collection
'Melba's Triumph. "Au Reviour" concert at Albert Hall. A review of the concert appeared in The Times, Monday 9 May 1921. Sir Ross and Sire Keith Smith attended the concert. SLSA: South Australiana Collection
A hand-held fan commemorating the first England to Australia aerial flight in 1919 by the crew of the Vickers Vimy G-EAOU aircraft. Produced and sold by John Martin & Co. Ltd. SLSA: PRG1701/3/1
A hand-held fan commemorating the first England to Australia aerial flight in 1919 by the crew of the Vickers Vimy G-EAOU aircraft. Produced and sold by John Martin & Co. Ltd. SLSA: PRG1701/3/1
A hand-held fan commemorating the first England to Australia aerial flight in 1919 by the crew of the Vickers Vimy G-EAOU aircraft. Produced and sold by John Martin & Co. Ltd. SLSA: PRG1701/3/2
A hand-held fan commemorating the first England to Australia aerial flight in 1919 by the crew of the Vickers Vimy G-EAOU aircraft. Produced and sold by John Martin & Co. Ltd. SLSA: PRG1701/3/2
A woman charity collector selling a badge to a passer-by in King William Street, Adelaide, South Australia. SLSA: PRG 280/1/17/738
A woman charity collector selling a badge to a passer-by in King William Street, Adelaide, South Australia. SLSA: PRG 280/1/17/738
Studio portrait of Lottie Richards (later Michell) as a young woman. The State Library of SA holds Lotties badge collection. SLSA: PRG 903/10
Studio portrait of Lottie Richards (later Michell) as a young woman. The State Library of SA holds Lotties badge collection. SLSA: PRG 903/10
A badge souvenir of Ross Smith, with an insert of Keith Smith. From the collection of Lottie Richards. SLSA: PRG 903/1/156
A badge souvenir of Ross Smith, with an insert of Keith Smith. From the collection of Lottie Richards. SLSA: PRG 903/1/156
A badge souvenir of Ross Smith, with an insert of Keith Smith. The badge has a black band around it, so was likely produced after Ross's death. From the collection of Lottie Richards. SLSA: PRG 903/1/156
A badge souvenir of Ross Smith, with an insert of Keith Smith. The badge has a black band around it, so was likely produced after Ross's death. From the collection of Lottie Richards. SLSA: PRG 903/1/156
Queen's School Old Scholars' dinner to Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith. This menu features an abundance of signatures. SLSA: South Australiana Collection
Queen's School Old Scholars' dinner to Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith. This menu features an abundance of signatures. SLSA: South Australiana Collection
The back of the Queen's School Old Scholars' dinner to Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith, a menu featuring an abundance of signatures including the Smith Brothers. SLSA: South Australiana Collection
The back of the Queen's School Old Scholars' dinner to Sir Ross and Sir Keith Smith, a menu featuring an abundance of signatures including the Smith Brothers. SLSA: South Australiana Collection
Grand Central Hotel on the southeast corner of Rundle Street and Pulteney Street. SLSA: B 13016
Grand Central Hotel on the southeast corner of Rundle Street and Pulteney Street. SLSA: B 13016
St. Peter's College old scholars' dinner was held at the Grand Central Hotel, Adelaide on Tuesday 15 July 1913. A similar dinner was held a few years before the Queen's College dinner for the Smith Brothers. SLSA: PRG 280/1/8/331
St. Peter's College old scholars' dinner was held at the Grand Central Hotel, Adelaide on Tuesday 15 July 1913. A similar dinner was held a few years before the Queen's College dinner for the Smith Brothers. SLSA: PRG 280/1/8/331
Photograph of students and teachers at Queen's School, on Barton Terrace, North Adelaide. Featuring the Smith Brothers. SLSA: B 29751
Photograph of students and teachers at Queen's School, on Barton Terrace, North Adelaide. Featuring the Smith Brothers. SLSA: B 29751
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