A real estate agent working to sell a large estate in Brisbane's north more than 130 years ago was so confident he could sell every block of land that he pledged to donate money to local charities if he failed to do so.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This was just one of many quirky sides to the south-east Queensland property market during the 19th and 20th centuries.
An insight into historical suburb sales pitches has been provided by the archive of the State Library of Queensland, which has digitised dozens of old advertising posters that proved to be both colourful and creative.
Starting in Brisbane's coastal suburb of Sandgate, a real estate agent named David Love was working on the sale of the Nashville Estate via auction in 1882.
He was so confident of selling every lot that he advertised a wager in a local newspaper to give ??10 (more than AU$1000 today) to Brisbane charities if he did not succeed. The charities never got a cent, with Mr Love selling all 352 blocks.
Remaining in Queensland's capital, in 1913 a realtor selling the Ardentallen Estate in Enoggera wrote eight reasons why prospective buyers should be interested in the available land on the back of the advertising poster.
The highlights included an estimation that the property was 10 degrees cooler than the CBD because it was one of the highest areas above sea level in greater Brisbane and therefore received strong, cool breezes.
It also claimed that because the land was on a gentle rising slope, the blocks had good natural drainage, therefore "saving doctors' bills" through reduced risk of mould and water-borne diseases.
On the Sunshine Coast, a Caloundra developer made a bold claim in 1917 during the sale of more than 400 allotments of land at the Bulcock Estate.
The sell for the land claimed it was "the only seaside in South Queensland where mosquitoes and sandflies don't pester your life out".
Throughout the historical suburb sells, there was also a trend between Brisbane suburbs boasting about their excellent soil quality.
During a promotion for the Lutwyche Domain in modern-day Kedron during 1880, the poster claimed the land for sale consisted of "the finest soil in the district". Meanwhile, the Ashgrove East development in 1889 said "the soil is excellent" in their marketing campaign and the Graceville Estate in 1885 described their soil as "prolific".
Returning to the Sunshine Coast, a 1923 advertising map heavily focused on the recreational aspect of the Mount Coolum Beach Estate.
"Its superb and safe beach for surfing is paramount .??? the thrilling natural toboggan, which is to be reserved for the residents, (and) mountaineering on Mt Coolum and Mt Peregian, where the views are so entrancing," the ad read.
"(Also) scrub hunting for orchids and ferns in the gorge and in the dense tropical scrubs, and the wild flowers on the heath in September and October are beautiful beyond description."
Finally, land for sale as part of the Bowen Terrace Estate in New Farm presented a unique opportunity for prospective buyers.
The property bordered with Merthyr House, the residence of the Queensland premier at the time, Samuel Walker Griffith, which was heavily promoted in marketing campaigns.
The promotion also took aim at surrounding suburbs.
"The land is elevated; like a bowling green; every inch available; and dry; while other localities are soppy, soft, and uncomfortable."
