FUNCTION AND CONTENT

This series consists of Artistic Copyright Files from 1871 to 1913.

Prior to 1 January, 1907, the date on which the Commonwealth Copyright Act 1905 (No. 25 of 1905) came into effect, copyright was regulated by the laws of the separate states. This series contains some items dated after 1907 and this is because if the artwork was completed, or the photograph taken, before the transfer of powers the material was registered as Colonial rather than Commonwealth Copyright.
 
The series consists of files (inside envelopes) containing the exhibit only up to 4451C. From 4483C often, but not in all cases, both the registration and exhibit of the extant artistic work lodged for copyright are present. The original envelopes deteriorated and have been replaced by National Archives. The series includes photographs, postcards, prints, posters and other diverse material.
 
FINDING AIDS

During a large project, undertaken by the Arrangement and Description Sub-section, all extant material was entered onto the item level database.