New Accession: John A. Crawford Architectural Plans and Drawings

This week’s ‘New Accession’ story is not strictly about a new accession—it is about a very exciting collection of architectural plans and drawings recently discovered in our Sorting Room. So, this item could be called a ‘Sorting Room Backlog Story’ (Sorting Room Story No. 1--more to follow).

The collection dates to the 1930s and 1940s and it consists of architectural plans and some amusing sketches by Mr. John A. Crawford, an Engineering Consultant. Mr Crawford’s address in the 1940s was ‘Ingleneuk’, 55 Paradise Street (off Dauphin Tce), Highgate Hill, Brisbane.

Unfortunately, I don’t know much about John Crawford. However, I cannot help but wish that I had known the man who drew these:

Hangover chart:

Potto’s Patent Beer Pot:

There are many plans relating to Crawfords’ house, the ‘Ingleneuk’, as well as plans for alterations; additions to the house; the garage; double gate; furniture, even a stainless steel tray:

As I said, I haven’t been able to find out more about John Crawford, but from some of the drawings in the collection I gather that he was in the Scouts in the mid-1930s and that his group was called 1st Hamilton Scouts.

There is a drawing by John Crawford of an ‘Australian Boy Scouts’ Tent’ (1931). The tent required Japara silk, 15 3/8 brass eyes and some rope:

1st Hamilton Troop undertook a hike from Blantyre to Gleneagle (Queensland) during Easter 1933. The map of the hike, drawn by Crawford, shows the names of the Scouters, as well as the orders for the hike and the 1st Hamilton Troop badge:

At Easter 1934, 1st Hamilton hiked to Villeneuve (Queensland) and camped there. We have a map of that expedition as well, complete with the names of the Scouters:

In February 1935, the representatives of the 1st Hamilton attended the Australian Jamboree. John Crawford drew a map of that camp:

On 30 May 1934, three patrols of the 1st Hamilton undertook a hunt for the Kelly Gang, recorded for posterity by John Crawford. Portraits of Dan, Ned and Joe Kelly are included:

Accession 28226 abounds in plans and drawings for sailing boats and sailing equipment. For want of more information about John Crawford, I can only assume that he was either a keen sailor or that his engineering practice included sailing-related projects.

Here are some examples of plans and drawings of sailing ships and equipment:

Veronika Farley, Librarian - State Library of Queensland