The Sydney Gazette window

1940
Made by Frank G. O'Brien Pty. Ltd.
Presented by the proprietors of the Sun newspaper

The Sydney Gazette window on the western side of the room commemorates the printing of Australia’s first newspaper, the Sydney Gazette in March 1803. On the left side of the window, George Howe the paper’s printer, publisher, typesetter and proprietor presents a copy of the first issue to Governor Philip Gidley King. Next to Governor King is his son Phillip Parker King, and standing behind the printing press is his wife, Mrs King. The small boy partially obscured on the left of the scene is George Howe’s son Robert. Then serving as a printer’s devil (the nickname given to a printer’s apprentice), Robert later took over from his father as owner of the Sydney Gazette.

The window was presented to the Library by the Sun newspaper to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the invention of the printing press in 1440.