1968.0013
Consolidated records of Bates, Smart and McCutcheon Pty Ltd [1858-1985]
Creator(s): 
Bates, Smart and McCutcheon Pty Ltd [-]

The majority of material known as the Bates Smart McCutcheon collection has been consolidated and described in a single finding aid, and is identified by the registration number of the first transfer, 1968.0013. As the majority of the records were transferred by Bates Smart McCutcheon (BSM) and concern jobs prior to1996, this name has been given to all transfers from this firm.   Material in the initial transfer, 1968.0013, includes job files: correspondence, specifications, drawings, invoices etc.,1888-1936; plans and drawings 1862-1926; photographs.

The consolidated collection holds a selection of drawings from every period of the firm’s history, beginning with the work of Joseph Reed in the 1850s, as well as a range of contract and correspondence files and photographs. A small quantity of personal material concerning individuals complements their architectural work.    

Drawings by Joseph Reed were identified by him in a very simple way, with the first sheet (usually an elevation) identified with project name and subsequent sheets identified only by a drawing number within the project sequence.  In contrast, recent projects by Bates Smart are generally identified by a detailed, numbered title block on every sheet. To aid identification of projects and control of materials, a running sequence of job numbers has been imposed by archivists.  These 3 digit numbers are shown on the finding aid, alongside the firm’s 4 digit internal control numbers if known. 

Within the collection are drawings produced by architects working for other firms before joining BSM, notably AM Henderson and EA Bates (who had been trained with the firm before entering into practice with RG Hyndman).  Please also search the finding aid for names of architects including Kemp, Oakden, Alsop, Barnet, Eggleston, Stevenson, Annear, Featherstone and many more whose drawings have been acquired by Bates Smart McCutcheon in the course of their work. Garden designer Edna Walling is also represented in this collection (Job 158).

The collection also includes material from contractors, maps, municipal planning scheme documents, aerial photographs and other materials.  Where an association with particular BSM jobs is known, this has been indicated on the finding aid. 

Many of the materials in this collection are oversized and fragile, and may only be accessed by appointment.

System of arrangement : 'BSM Job' numbers have been imposed by archivists

40 boxes, 5 volumes, approx 4000 drawings
Business, organisations