Ever since the first race in 1861, the Melbourne Cup has been associated with the arrival of spring and a carnival atmosphere: fashion, glamour and garden parties. It's also one of the richest handicap races in the world, with a winning pool of $6 million.

At Flemington, the Cup cuts across social strata and unites a massive crowd: the fashion forward on the lawns, colourful characters picnicking in the car park and business types hobnobbing in corporate marquees, all loosening up as the champagne flows.

This image gallery features pictures from the Library's rich and eclectic collection, selected to celebrate the Cup's 150 anniversary in 2011. It provides a snapshot of what makes our favourite race so special, from frivolity in the car park to the serious business of winning.

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Rennie Ellis: Everyday people

Crafting the winner's trophy

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The three-handled trophy was designed in 1919 by James Steeth. His son, Maurie, pictured with the 1968 cup, continued the tradition.

Four days of races

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The Melbourne Cup meeting includes four days of racing: Derby Day, Cup Day, Oaks Day and Stakes Day. Racegoers can catch the train to Flemington Racecourse station, which only operates during the meeting.

What to wear

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Fashions at the Cup meeting, 1884; wood engraving of Cup fashions, published in the Australasian sketcher.

Fashion has been a big part of the Melbourne Cup since the race's inception. Originally the Cup was a playground for the rich. Today it is open to all, and dressing up (or, sometimes, dressing down) in pretty frocks, high heels and hats is de rigueur.

Know your horses

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Detail from Melbourne Cup Winners Australia 1861-1902, colour photolithograph poster by GL Whiteley, 1902.

Jockey silks, made from synthetic fabrics nowadays, can contain up to four colours and are designed to help the punter identify their horse.

Racing stripes

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© Herald and Weekly Times.

Linda Burgess wearing the unbleached calico outfit she designed for 1967's Melbourne Cup.

Get out of town

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Val Morgan cinema advertisement for Cup Day railway tickets, c 1940, from the Library's collection of Victorian Railways lantern slides.

The Melbourne Cup public holiday was officially introduced in 1873 and since 1876 has fallen on the first Tuesday in November. Many Victorians take advantage of the spring weather and head out of town, taking Monday off to make it a long weekend.

Melbourne's finest

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Formally attired Cup goers on the steps of Federal Government House, 1909. The women are wearing gowns and wide-brimmed hats of gauze and lace, trimmed with feathers and flowers. The men are dressed in morning suits and top hats.

Proper ladies

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© Rennie Ellis, courtesy of the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive.

A hat is a must for every Cup Day lady.

Parading on the lawn

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Fashionable ladies and gents on the lawn at the Melbourne Cup, c 1910, with the grandstand in the background, from the Library's collection of Victorian Railways lantern slides.

Full house

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This image shows swarming punters at Flemington Racecourse on Cup Day, c 1920, from the Library's collection of Victorian Railways lantern slides.

The Cup has always attracted huge crowds. In 1880, attendances reached 100,000 (around a third of Melbourne's population at the time). In 2003, a record 122,736 racegoers pushed through the turnstiles.

Hats off

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© Rennie Ellis, courtesy of the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive.

Early '80s girls letting their hair down.

Strutting their stuff

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Punters size up the horses in the mounting yard, Melbourne Cup Day, 1949.

Day in the sun

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© Herald and Weekly Times.

Mrs John Stocker, wife of Clipjoint's jockey, at the Melbourne Cup, 1966.

Picnic in the park

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Melbourne Cup car park, 1985. © Rennie Ellis, courtesy of the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive.

Crowds spill over into the Flemington car park, where thousands enjoy the Cup atmosphere each year, regardless of the weather.

Cup royalty

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Bart Cummings & Duchess of York 'Fergie', c 1990. © Rennie Ellis, courtesy of the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive

Trainer Bart Cummings and Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, have a laugh.

Taking bets

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Bookmaker (bookie). © Rennie Ellis, courtesy of the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive.

Everyone scrambles to get a bet on before the Cup – over $140 million was wagered on the race in 2009.

A champion

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Jockey Jim Pike on Phar Lap just before their winning 1930 Melbourne Cup ride; photo by Charles Daniel Pratt.

Rounding the turn

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The race for the Melbourne Cup – rounding the turn by the river, 1883; wood engraving published in the Illustrated Australian news.

In 1883, Martini Henry became the first New Zealand–bred horse to win the Cup, also taking out the VRC Derby that same year.

Neck and neck

Cup day (1993). © Rennie Ellis, courtesy of the Rennie Ellis Photographic Archive.

A tight finish in 1993 saw Ireland's Vintage Crop become the first international horse to win the Cup, beating New Zealand gelding Te Akau Nick.

Watching the race

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The finish for the Cup from the Grand Stand, 1886; wood engraving published in the Illustrated Australian news.

The finish line

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Melbourne Cup finish – 1905; commemorative postcard printed by Fraser & Jenkinson.

In 1905, Blue Spec won with the record time of 3 minutes, 27 seconds. Kingston Rule, winner in 1990, holds the record for the fastest time over 3200m, at 3 minutes, 16 seconds.