Wunderkammer - The Chamber of Wonders     The word 'wunderkammer' translates as 'wonder-chamber'. The term is German, although collections of curiosities have existed in Italy since as early as the 16th century. These were the first museums and housed both the familiar museum fare such as natural specimens, minerals and coins, as well as more aberrant and miraculous objects such as religious reliquaries, double apples, 'mermaids' and the like.     This Wunderkammer is both a museum and a retail store. The shop specialises in science and natural history. In the collection are antique botanical prints, anatomical models, specimens preserved in vintage glass canisters, fossils, medical instruments, beetles and butterflies in hand blown specimen domes: the scope of Wunderkammer is as broad as the scope of human scientific enquiry. The owner of Wunderkammer, Ray Meyer, chooses the objects for the collection based on standards of beauty, rarity, historical or educational value and, of course, the ability to inspire wonder. Wunderkammer is located at: 439 Lonsdale Street Melbourne Victoria 3000 Ph: 03 9642 4694 Fax: 03 9642 4695 Email: info@wunderkammer.com.au Opening Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10AM-6PM Saturday 10AM-4PM