Printed & Bound
Printed & Bound exhibition
Date: Until 10 October 2026
Time: Open 9.00am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday and the second Saturday of each month (excluding public holidays)
Location: Queensland State Archives, 435 Compton Road, Runcorn
Cost: Free
Description: From beautifully crafted volumes with marbled edges and leather tooling to simple, durable books built to withstand decades of use, each record tells a unique story far beyond the information it holds.
These books aren’t just documents—they are windows into how Queensland grew, how decisions were made and how systems evolved over time.
Come and see these remarkable records up close by visiting our exhibition space. Marvel at the intricate designs of the records and consider what they reveal about the systems that kept Queensland running throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.
Upcoming event
QSA Talk: Devils, Designs and Details—The Queensland Government Printing Office
Date: Thursday 3 September 2026
Time: 11am–12pm
Location: Queensland State Archives, 435 Compton Road, Runcorn
Cost: Free
Description:
Join us for QSA Talk ‘Devils, Designs and Details—Queensland Government Printing Office’ with historian, Matthew Wengert as part of our Printed & Bound exhibition.
The Queensland Government Printing Office was responsible for printing diverse material for Government agencies for over 150 years. From tiny postage stamps to enormous maps, millions of bureaucratic forms to exquisitely bound books and uniquely elaborate items for official occasions, the Printing Office staff could create whatever the State required.
This talk will explore the ‘Devils’—the workers and apprentices who brought these creations to life—and the ‘Designs’ and ‘Details’ that showcase the Printing Office’s artistic and technical achievements.
Matthew will delve into the 1899 Royal Commission that examined the Printing Office’s operations and workforce, using its published report to reveal insights into the highly specialised staff and their vital role in documenting Queensland’s history.
Unable to attend
The presentation will be available on the Queensland State Archives YouTube channel after the event.
Learn more
Read our Devils, Design and Details blog post on Stories from the Archives.
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