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Life of Luxury in Van Diemen's Land - the story of wallpapers, wallpaper hangers and at least one murder

Painting street scene
Event Date:
-
Location:

159 Macquarie Street
Hobart TAS 7000
Australia

Presenter:
Alan Townsend

In this presentation Alan explores how luxury goods came into the colonial market by zeroing in on wallpaper. We will look at what was available, who was selling it, who was hanging it, and where. And just for good measure he will explore the untimely death of Hobart Town paperhanger and retailer John Perry.

Alan Townsend works in the heritage program at Clarence and Southern Midlands Councils and specialises in early colonial / convict era history. Over the last 20 years or so he has developed a passion for historic wallpapers and taught himself how to recreate them. Alan is currently researching a book on the subject with co-authors Linda Clark and Karen Stott.