Heinrich Bernhard Albert (1869 - 1935)

Born 1869 in Würzburg, Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany

Husband of Eleanor (Fiddes) Albert — married 14 Nov 1894 in Huon Lane, Victoria, Australia

Descendants

Died 16 Jun 1935 at about age 66 in Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Lex Harry [send private message]

Biography

Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954) Thu 19 Mar 1931 Page 44 UNIVERSITY BOOKSELLER. Mr. H. B. Albert, bookseller by appointment to the University, was born in Wuerzburg (Bavaria), Germany, and is a direct descendant on his mother's side of Johan Wolfgang von Goethe, the writer of "Faust. He arrived in Australia 40 years ago, and in W.A. 15 years later, opening business as a bookseller and music seller in the Central Arcade (now demolished). He transferred to 180 Murray-street, where the business has grown steadily under his management. In 1925, additional space was acquired by building at the back of the premises, and in 1927 the back basement was changed from a musical instrument section (now situated in front of the shop) to an education and children's book department, which includes stationery. Another development is contemplated in the transfer of the stationery section to the front of the shop, and adding to it. In all these various changes the one idea has been to improve the service to his customers. Western Australia is fortunate in possessing such a book shop, and its proprietor, whose aim has always been to keep a complete supply of books on every subject-many of so little demand as to be profitless when sold. Not only in English, but in many foreign languages, including the classics, there are extensive stocks. It is believed that Mr. Albert is one of the only two booksellers in Australia who have actually been apprenticed to the bookselling profession. During the apprenticeship he was compelled to study methods-English and foreign languages and literature, with special leaning to the classics. How would the present-day youth like to work for three years for nothing; in the fourth, for 12/6 per month; and in the fifth and subsequent years, £5 per month as a full fledged bookseller? This is what Mr. Albert received during his apprenticeship - this and his "48 years of general book-selling have fitted him for the post of University bookseller. His interests in the University has been continuous, and he is now a member of the Convocation of the University. Since 1926 he has donated the Norman Albert Prizes (named after his son who graduated in engineering at the University in 1920), which are awarded for engineering (preferably mining engineering) and for agriculture and for German. Mr. Albert takes a great interest in both political and municipal affairs. His hobby is gardening.

Western Mail (Perth) Thursday, 21 April 1932

UNIVERSITY BOOKSELLER. Mr. H. B. Albert. In a University town, it is considered the hall mark of an efficient bookseller to be awarded the honour of being the University bookseller. Born in Germany (Wuerzburg, Bavaria), where the university is always held in great respect, Mr. H. B. Albert has absorbed the tradition and today renders the service requisite to the position of University bookseller. He arrived in Australia (Victoria) 41 years ago, spending his early years in farming and gold mining. He returned to Germany for a short period, after which he returned to Australia, and married Miss Eleanor De Fiddes. Leaving Victoria for Western Australia, he commenced business in Central Arcade (now Forrest-place), where he had a row of windows packed with books and music and musical instruments. The very variety of this display attracted many customers. When the arcade was needed for the erection of the G.P.O., Mr. Albert moved to the present premises, 180 Murray-street - only the front portion was built then. Gradually the business has increased, and now the premises used include an additional building at the rear of the original building, and also the basement. Mr. Albert's gratitude to the Western Australian University for the education of his son Norman, who graduated in Engineering, 1920, took practical form in the donation of the Albert prizes for Engineering - preferably mining - German, and Agriculture. It is pleasing to note that Mr. Norman Albert has made considerable progress in one of the largest electrical engineering firms in America. Very few of the present-day booksellers can claim an apprenticeship to their calling, but Mr. H. B. Albert can. He is one of the only two in Australia. This year completes fifty years of bookselling in Germany and Australia. All this experience is at the service of the University and the public of Western Australia. In his bookshop Mr. Albert has gathered together one of the finest selections of books in Australia. Here one can find not only the popular book, but the out-of-the-way treatise on subjects of only very limited interest, but in Mr. Albert's opinion essential to the community and the complement of a good bookshop. His interest in the University has been continuous, and he is now a member of the Convocation of the University. A man of the immense energy of Mr. Albert must have an outlet even in his hobbies, and that he expends in his garden at Nedlands. Here he has gathered together a splendid variety of rare plants, and his ponds abound in goldfish and varieties of water lilies. He is a keen business man, and takes more than the usual interest in both, municipal and current affairs.

The West Australian - Wednesday 19 June 1935 FUNERAL. The Late Mr. H. B. Albert. The funeral of the late Mr. Henry Bernard Albert, of Albert and Son, Ltd.. well-known booksellers and music warehousemen, of Murray- street, Perth, took place in the Church of England portion of the Karrakatta Cemetery yesterday morning, in the presence of a large and representative gathering. The late Mr. Albert, who has spent the major portion of his life in Australia, was born in Germany 66 years ago and left a widow, one son and three daugh- ters. The chief mourners were the Misses Thelma and Melba Albert (daughters), and. Mr. L. E. Pearce (son-in-law, representing Mrs. and Norman Albert) and Mrs. Pearce. The pall- bearers were Dr. G. Mayrhofer, Professor H. E. Whitfeld (representing the University of Western Australia), Messrs. R. S. Sampson, M.L.A., J. B. Farr, F. D. Sewell, M. Ryan, J. Fiddes, J. D. Leach, Leslie Walker and Herbert Walker. Among the many present were Messrs. W. J.Smith and T. P. Wilson (president and sec- retary respectively, of the Booksellers' Associa- tion of W.A.), Paul Hasluck (W.A. Historical Society), Francis G. Steere (Parliamentary Librarian), A. Nash (Gordon and Gotch), George Sutton- (Hutchinson and Co.. Ltd.), A. G. McNamara (E. S. Wigg and Son), H. H. Chand- ler (Nicholsons, Ltd.), R. D. Scott (Mus- grove's, Ltd.), R. E. Saunders (Carrolls, Ltd.), Ernest Miller (Oxford University Press), C. Connor (Sands and McDougall Ltd.), J. G. Morgan, R. E. Stephenson (Elder, Smith and Co., Ltd.), M. Lavan. K.C., Billy Edwards, J. B. Clune, W. D. Toy, G. H. Iles, F. L. Davi- son, T. O'Loughlin, G. V. Pounder, F. H. White, Wm. Attwood, A. J. Ratcliffe, C. F.. Newsham, C. J. Puttick, C. M. Conway, T. Camerer, G. W. Mottam, J. Levin, J. Jansen, K. Rosenberg, Chas. Zeck, B. Walkmeyer, H. Griesbach, A. E. Berry, A. N. Carter, W. Villa- cott, L. G. Walker, G. T. Reeves, E. Winch, J. Nuttall, L. W. de Morley, A. H. Collison, A. J. Foote, J. Martin, I. T. McLachlan, J. P. Brown, G. J. Brandt, W. H. Pearce, E. Snell, E. S. Everett, W. H. Ralfen, L. H. Davey, H. C. Ittershagen, T. Monro, A. E. Horne, H. E. Allen, J. and R. Fiddes, Eidna and Genee Fiddes, Mesdames T. O'Loughlin, J. Martin, T. Ballantyne, G. T. Reeves, Meredith, J. Itter- shagen, T. Monro, A. E. Horne, H. E. Allen W. Fiddes, Misses O. Berry, M. Chamberlain, D. Goddard, L. Fane, Leuber, Hird, H. Prain, G. and M. E. Holder, and many others. Archdeacon L. W. Parry conducted a short service at the late Mr. Albert's residence, Es planade, Nedlands, before the cortege proceeded to the cemetery, and also officiated at the grave side. A large number of beautiful wreaths and floral tributes were received and widespread re- gret has been expressed at the passing of such a highly educated and philanthropic gentleman. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Donald J. Chipper and Son.

Sources

<Marriage index: Victoria 5463/1894.

Witnessed by Elizabeth Ophelia SHUGG.

ALBERT - FIDDES On the 14th inst., at the residence of the bride's brother-in-law, T. B. Farr, Huon Lane, by the Rev. F. Vanston, of Yackandandah, Heinrich Bernhard, only son of F. Albert, of Weuerzburg, Germany, to Eleanor (Lillie), youngest daughter of Richard Fiddes, late of Barnawartha. />

• Marriage index: Victoria 5463/1894.