Lumirra Collective
Queenie, Melbourne, Australia
Queenie, Melbourne, Australia
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Scanned and restored from an original historic negative discovered within a damaged collection dating back more than 100 years.
This photograph captures children riding Queenie the elephant at Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne, Victoria, around 1917.
The negative itself showed heavy signs of age, with deterioration and surface damage formed over decades of storage. After carefully cleaning and digitising the original negative at high resolution, the image slowly emerged in detail once again for the first time in generations.
As research into the photograph began, the elephant within the image was identified as Queenie, one of Melbourne Zoo’s most famous and tragic animals. Queenie was an Indian elephant taken from the wild and brought to Melbourne Zoo in 1902. For around 40 years, she carried hundreds of children every day around the zoo, eventually giving rides to well over a million visitors throughout her lifetime.
Historical newspaper reports from the era describe constant crowds surrounding her enclosure, children teasing her, and the repetitive routine she endured for decades. By the 1930s, Queenie had become one of the zoo’s most profitable attractions, generating significant income during a time when many Melbourne families were struggling through the Great Depression.
In 1944, after years in captivity, Queenie killed her keeper Wilfred Lawson during an incident at the zoo. Witness reports stated that Lawson had tapped or struck her with a stick after she hesitated returning to her enclosure. Newspapers later described Queenie as distressed in the aftermath, reportedly “fretting” following his death.
Although she was declared dangerous after the incident, many members of the public supported keeping her alive. Queenie remained at Melbourne Zoo for another 10 months before eventually being euthanised in 1945 during wartime food shortages and rising feeding costs.
Looking at this photograph today feels very different knowing the story behind it. What once appeared to be a cheerful zoo memory now stands as a haunting glimpse into a very different era of animal captivity and Melbourne history.
More than a century later, this fragile negative and Queenie’s story, survives through careful preservation and restoration.
Now available as a museum quality fine art print through Lumirra Collective, allowing an authentic piece of Melbourne’s forgotten history to live on once again.
Shipping
Shipping
Please note that any customs duties, taxes, or import fees associated with international shipments are the responsibility of the recipient. These charges are determined by your country’s regulations.
By placing an order, you acknowledge that it is your responsibility to be aware of any applicable customs fees, taxes, or import requirements in your country.
International shipments
Lumirra Collective is proudly Australia based, but we love shipping worldwide.
Please note: For customers located in the United States, Canada, and New Zealand, shipping costs may be higher due to the size and fragile nature of our artworks. To ensure you receive an accurate shipping price, Lumirra Collective will provide a custom shipping quote prior to purchase. Please note that shipping quotes do not include any applicable taxes or duties.
As a small business, I aim to be as open and transparent as possible — I’ve worked to keep shipping rates as fair as I can while ensuring each piece is safely delivered.
An unframed option is available, which significantly reduces shipping costs.
Production & Dispatch Times
All works are printed to order, so please allow 3–5 business days for production. This allows each piece to be carefully printed, assembled, and quality checked before dispatch.
Estimated shipping times:
• Australia: 8–14 business days
• International: 8-14 business days
Delivery times may vary depending on location. You will receive tracking details once your order has been dispatched.
Shipping & Packaging
All artworks are carefully packaged to ensure they arrive safely.
Framed pieces are securely protected and shipped in boxed packaging to minimise movement and reduce the risk of damage during transit.
Unframed works are shipped flat packs or in protective tubes, depending on size. This method prevents bending, creasing, and damage during transit, and is the safest and most reliable way to ship artwork.
Each order is packed with care to ensure it reaches you in the best possible condition.
Thank you for your support — it truly means a lot.
Available Print & Frame Sizes
Available Print & Frame Sizes
Prints are produced in standard ISO sizes, ensuring consistent proportions and professional presentation.
The print size refers to the artwork and paper dimensions.
Each framed piece also includes a gallery mat board and frame, which increases the final outer dimensions.
Available Sizes
• A4
Artwork size: 29.7 × 21 cm
Framed outer size: 45.6 × 35.5 cm
• A3
Artwork size: 42 × 29.7 cm
Framed outer size: 53.8 × 43.6 cm
• A2
Artwork size: 59.4 × 42 cm
Framed outer size: 73 × 53 cm
• A1
Artwork size: 84.1 × 59.4 cm
Framed outer size: 103 × 73 cm
• A0
Artwork size: 119 × 84.1 cm
Available as print only
Print Quality & Archival Materials
Print Quality & Archival Materials
Every Lumirra Collective artwork is produced using genuine Epson UltraChrome PRO HDR archival inks, a premium 9 colour fine art printing system renowned for its extraordinary colour depth, rich blacks, and exceptional resistance to fading over time.
Each image is professionally produced in Melbourne using museum quality Giclée printing, a specialist fine art printing process celebrated for its remarkable detail, tonal depth, and archival longevity. This allows every restored historic photograph to retain its original atmosphere, texture, and character with stunning clarity.
Printed on luxurious premium fine art photographic paper, each artwork is carefully crafted for gallery style presentation with smooth tonal transitions, deep contrast, and refined detail. The result is a timeless archival fine art print designed to preserve these historic moments for generations to come.
Frame Materials & Construction
Frame Materials & Construction
All Lumirra Collective framed prints are made using premium solid timber frames crafted from sustainably sourced wood, available in Premium Oak natural, Matte White, or Matte Black.
Each framed artwork includes a custom gallery style mat board, 20mm solid timber moulding, 3mm MDF backing board, flip tab fittings, and a D ring or string hanging system, ready to display on arrival.
Frame specifications by size:
A1: 4 cm depth with 2mm shatter resistant acrylic glazing
A2: 3.5 cm depth with 2mm shatter resistant acrylic glazing
A3: 4 cm depth with 2mm clear glass
A4: 1.8 cm depth with 2mm clear glass
All artworks are produced in a specialised 16,000 square foot production facility in Melbourne, using advanced printing and framing technology. Each order is printed, framed, and assembled individually to ensure consistent quality and craftsmanship.
Authenticity of Historic Images
Authenticity of Historic Images
Many photographs offered by Lumirra Collective originate from historic negatives and photographic materials dating from the late 19th to early 20th century, including glass plate negatives and early film formats used during the development of photography.
Each negative is carefully digitised using high resolution archival scanning techniques, preserving the remarkable detail captured in the original photograph and bringing these historic images back to life for modern printing.
Due to the age of these materials, some images may contain light scratches, dust marks, or minor imperfections from the original negative. While every photograph is carefully restored and optimised, certain characteristics may remain as part of the image’s authentic historical narrative.
All artworks are printed in the highest possible quality and are supplied without the Lumirra Collective watermark, which appears online only for image protection.
Colours may vary slightly depending on screen settings, device displays, and lighting conditions, and minor differences between on-screen images and the final printed artwork may occur.
Returns & Refund Policy
Returns & Refund Policy
Each Lumirra Collective artwork is printed and framed to order, therefore we are unable to offer refunds or exchanges for change of mind purchases.
If your artwork arrives damaged or faulty, please contact us within 48 hours of delivery with photographs so we can arrange a replacement.
All artworks are carefully inspected and securely packaged using protective materials designed specifically for framed artwork and glass, helping ensure each piece arrives safely and in perfect condition.
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