Image Description from historic lecture booklet: "The chief interest in Thursday Island lies in its pearl fisheries. Pearls and shells are the principal subjects of discussion, and the finding of a large pearl is talked of everywhere. The best pearl shells are taken form the coral islands and lagoons. The oysters grow to an enormous size, often having shells as big as a tin wash basin. Several years ago a perfect pearl, weighing thirty-two and a half grains and valued at five thousand dollars, was taken out of the Thursday Island grounds. But this was a rage find indeed. pearls worth one hundred dollars are quite common and a big one lately discovered, sold for twenty-five hundred dollars. Sometimes one oyster will contain a dozen small pearls and even more. Such oyster are often diseased and their shells are rough, but on the other hand a perfectly healthy oyster may contain a fine round pearl of large size."

Original Collection: Visual Instruction Department Lantern Slides

Item Number: P217:set 039 045

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