| Margareta Webber | |
|---|---|
 Margareta Webber c.1937 | |
| Born | Margareta Louise Pitcairn Webber (1891-09-17)17 September 1891 Prahran, Melbourne, Australia |
| Died | 6 May 1983(1983-05-06) (aged 91) Hawthorn, Melbourne, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Bookseller |
| Known for |
|
| Partner | Jean Littlejohn |
Margareta Louise Pitcairn Webber (17 September 1891 - 6 May 1983) was a book seller from Melbourne Australia who ran a bookstore in McEwan house for nearly 40 years, called The Bookshop of Margareta Webber. She was a respected business person, and her bookshop was frequented by notable Melbourne figures.
Early life
Webber was the daughter of Margaret Pitcairn, nÊe Fairbairn, and Edwin George Webber. As a child, she would write her own stories, and bind them into books. She was educated at a private girls school in Armadale, Victoria, and some of her writings were accepted in publications. She joined an amateur singing troupe, called 'the Gipsy Rovers', when she was in her early 20s. The Troupe comprised of ten women, and was active during World War I, giving performances aid of the war effort.
Career
Webber started her career in 1918, at Parr's Bookshop, under the tutelage of Edgar A. Parr. She started her own bookshop in 1931, at McEwan House, on Collins Street in Melbourne, during the financial crisis of the great depression, but managed to build the business during and by 1937, she had expanded the business, doubling the footprint, and was reported to be a leading bookshop in Melbourne. She focussed on building an atmosphere of comfort in her bookshop with furnishings, pottery, prints, colourful rugs, and flowers, and she dispensed coffee and sherry. She made an effort to know customers, and provide them with individualised service according to their interests, and expert advice. As well as having general collections, Webber stocked books from small and large publishers, on a wide variety of topics, such as poetry, philosophy, psychology, cooking and gardening. She was associated with the Verse Speaking Association. She also had an interest in education, particularly in early childhood education, providing literature for the kindergarten movement. The bookshop primarily dealt with new books, however, Webber would on request assist with finding and importing rare and valuable books.
In 1936, she was the subject of a feature article in The Modern Store, and in 1938, this article was reprinted in the London Publishers' Circular. The publisher Jonathan Cape stated that the Margareta Webber Bookshop, which he had visited in 1935, was the best ordered and most attractive shop he has seen.
Webber hired only women, believing they made the best booksellers. However after she sold the business, Bill Henson worked at the store during his period as a student until its closure in 1980.
Notable customers of the bookshop were George Bell, Arnold Shore, Vance and Nettie Palmer, Sydney Ure Smith, Mary Grant Bruce, Barry Jones and Manning Clark. Webber sold the business in 1973.
The Soroptimist International Club of Victoria
With Jean Littlejohn as the founding president, Webber was a founding member of The Soroptimist International Club of Victoria.
Personal life and death
Webber lived with her companion Jean Littlejohn for over 50 years. They met in 1928 when a doctor referred Webber to Littlejohn who was an ENT surgeon. The referring doctor forewarned Littlejohn that Webber was a busy person who should not be kept waiting. Littlejohn said of that first meeting with Webber "She didn't sit down in the waiting room; she was sort of pacing up and down. She looked marvellous in a John Heath hat made of felt with a band trimmed with little pheasant feathers." before adding "She had a shocking throat...". Webber and Littlejohn lived for some time in South Yarra, and their house had a substantial wine cellar. They frequently dined at Maxim's.
For several years before her death, Webber resided at a nursing home in Hawthorn. She died on 6 May 1983, and a memorial for her life with books was held at the Toorak Uniting Church on 12 May 1983.
References
- ^ Clark, Laurel (2012). "Margareta Louise Webber (1891â1983)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ "Enterprising Women and their careers: Margareta Webber". The Age. Melbourne, Victoria: National Library of Australia. 4 September 1937. p. 2. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ Latreille, Anne (1981-12-02). "The old upstairs bookshop". The Age. p. 20. Retrieved 2025-01-21 – via newspapers.com.
- "COMFORTS FOR SOLDIERS". The Argus (Melbourne). No. 22, 107. 6 June 1917. p. 10. Retrieved 21 January 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
- "GIPSY ROVERS". The Victor Harbor Times and Encounter Bay and Lower Murray Pilot (South Australia). 12 Oct 1917. p. 3. Retrieved 21 January 2025 – via National Library of Australia.
- Henson, Bill, (1980) The bookshop of Margareta Webber : 1 map ; 46 x 60 cm. (Not drawn to scale). State Library of Victoria collection. Melbourne: Webbers Booksellers http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/7648003
- Croom, Alannah (31 May 2018). "Soroptimist International of Victoria". The Australian Women's Register. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ Due, Stephen (2012). "Jean Littlejohn (1899â1990)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- "Death of a great bookseller". The Age. 1983-05-12. p. 11. Retrieved 2025-01-21 – via Newspapers.com.