The Age newspaper founded in Melbourne

Background. The Age is a daily newspaper in Melbourne, Australia, that has been published since 1854. Melbourne is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria. The newspaper's first edition appeared on 17 October 1854, marking the start of its publication history. The venture was not initially a success, leading to a sale of the paper in June 1856.

Initial Publication. The first edition of The Age appeared on 17 October 1854. The original 1854 masthead included the Colony of Victoria crest. A quoted commentator suggests that being seen as linked with the Empire was regarded as a positive thing at the time, when the settlement was still a colony.

Ownership Change. The venture was not initially a success. In June 1856, the Cookes sold the paper to Ebenezer Syme, a Scottish-born businessman, and James McEwan, an ironmonger and founder of McEwans & Co, for £2,000 at auction. The first edition under the new owners came out on 17 June 1856.