Ephemera

About Ephemera

Since the early 1960s, we have collected printed items meant to be temporary, but which now hold historical value. These pieces show how people live, celebrate, and support causes. They help future generations understand Australia's changing culture, politics, and daily life.

Ephemera items are often used briefly and then discarded, they offer unique insights into personal and public life. Whether it's a theatre program, a political leaflet, or a sporting event souvenir, these materials tell the stories of their time.

Browse Ephemera

In the collection

Event memorabilia – Concert tickets, theatre programs, and festival wristbands.
Political and social movements – Protest flyers, campaign posters, and activist materials.
Advertising and promotions – Business cards, product packaging, and promotional brochures.
Personal and community life – Wedding invitations, school newsletters, and commemorative items.
Cultural snapshots – Menus, postcards, and other everyday objects.

Highlighted items

Copy of a printed playbill containing details for a performance of Jane Shore at the Sydney Theatre in 1796.

George Hughes (Government Printer), Playbill for a performance of Jane Shore, The Wapping Landlady and The Miraculous Cure at the Theatre, Sydney 30 July 1796, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1419486

Program advertising a play called The Geisha at Sydney's Her Majesty's Theatre

Sidney Jones & Harry G. Musgrove (Firm) & J.C. Williamson (Firm) & Her Majesty's Theatre (Sydney, N.S.W.), "The Geisha" : souvenir programme, 1899, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-69061919

A campaign poster for the 1967 Australian referendum, featuring a close-up photograph of a young Aboriginal child with a serious expression. The text on the poster reads: 'YES for Aborigines. Write YES for Aborigines in the lower square. May 27th. Authorized by Faith Bandler, 13 Kens Road, Frenchs Forest.'

Faith Bandler and Jerry Rind, Yes for Aborigines : write yes for Aborigines in the lower square May 27th, 1967, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136875607

Boer War: programs and invitations ephemera material

Insight into the experiences of Australian soldiers in the Boer War.

Balls - Dance Cards: programs and invitations ephemera

Programs and invitations ephemera material collected by the National Library of Australia

Ephemera relating to the 1967 referendum

Shows the political conversations that led to changes in how laws applied to First Nations people.

Ephemera relating to the Australian federal election campaigns

Covers mainly printed materials issued by the parties, independents, lobby groups for both Houses of Parliament for most elections from 1901 to date including referenda.

Paybill of Jane Shore

Australia’s earliest known printed document. This gives an insight into the kind of shows and cultural experiences of the early European settlers in 1796.

Australian Performing Arts Programs and Ephemera (PROMPT) Collections
The purpose of this guide is to provide researchers with an overview of and links to the National Library of Australia's Australian performing arts programs and ephemera holdings.

Selected collections

Explore selected highlights from the collection, offering insight into its depth and diversity.

An invitation from the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, 1901

Royal Visits - 1901 - Duke & Duchess of Cornwall and York : programs and invitations ephemera material collected by the National Library of Australia, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-54753475

Federation: Ephemera

Ephemera is material which is designed to be short lived and which is often not kept by its recipient.

Research guide

[Anzacs and Anzac Day 1915 - 1919 : programs and invitations ephemera material collected by the National Library of Australia], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-54675381

First World War: Ephemera

Ephemera is material which is designed to be short lived and which is often not kept by its recipient.

Research guide