LARGE IMAGE OPENS IN A NEW TAB OR WINDOW
Taken on the 12th of June, 2009 is Alley Retreat, a sepia photograph of Christchurch's Lichfield Lanes precinct by Carolyn Chan from Kuala Lumpur.
Showing posts with label Photography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Photography. Show all posts
Jul 16, 2009
Jun 29, 2009
Photographic Excellence: Hagley Park
LARGE IMAGE OPENS IN A NEW TAB OR WINDOW
Taken on Saturday, the 27th of June, 2009 by Jonathan Bird of Saskatoon, Canada, this is a Winter's early morning view of North Hagley Park
Jun 18, 2009
Edward Teague Early Lyttelton Photographer
LARGE IMAGE OPENS IN A NEW TAB OR WINDOW
This is a restoration of a recently discovered circa 1878 photograph by Edward Teague (1843-1928). It depicts a family of four in front of their early Lyttelton cottage, probably in the vicinity of upper Selwyn Road, where Teague is recorded to have been living in that time. Below is another photograph of a Lyttelton house by Teague that is dated from the same period.
English by birth, but an Australian from the age of four months, Edward Teague is recorded as a gold miner at Waipori in the Tuapeka district in April 1867. Bankrupt two years later, in 1872 he married and established a photographic studio in the same town. By 1874 he was recorded as a photographer at Balclutha, where he also carried on the business of a Tobacconist and Hairdresser.
English by birth, but an Australian from the age of four months, Edward Teague is recorded as a gold miner at Waipori in the Tuapeka district in April 1867. Bankrupt two years later, in 1872 he married and established a photographic studio in the same town. By 1874 he was recorded as a photographer at Balclutha, where he also carried on the business of a Tobacconist and Hairdresser.
At the end of 1878 Teague relocated with his wife and three children to Lyttelton, occupying photographic premises in residential Selwyn Road until 1881, when he moved to Canterbury Street. By 1885 he is recorded as the proprieter of the London Portrait Rooms on London Street, with a further move (possibly residential) to Oxford Street in 1886.
By the following year he was bankrupt again and had moved to Westport. After a short sojourn in that township the family moved on to Greymouth, then returned to Australia in 1888.
By 1897 he was again recorded as a photographer at Greymouth, but had left New Zealand by early in the following year, establishimg himself as a photographer at Zeehan in Western Tasmania. Sill living in that town 1913, he is recorded as being a 72 year-old Miner. He died at Launceston on the 8th of October 1928 in his 85th year.
Also probably dating from the late 1870s is the only other known landscape photograph by Edward Teague. In a westerly view of Lyttelton's inner harbour, it depicts Dampier's Bay, then a popular bathing beach. The bay succumbed to reclamation in 1881 and two years later the extant graving or dry dock was built in the vicinity to the Left of the photograph.
Edward Teague kept no samples of his photography and apart from one photograph taken of his wife and her three sisters, no examples of his work remain with family members. But although business acumen may not have been among his strong points and churning out portrait cards may not have allowed much room for artistic expression, his rare landscapes attest to a genuine talent for composition and the use of light. Accordingly, he well deserves recognition for his contributions to early New Zealand photography.
Edward Teague specialised in producing cartes de visite in his Lyttelton studio. There are three examples known to be held by the National Museum of New Zealand, but they are not available on-line. A further eight of his cartes de visite can be viewed on the Early Canterbury Photographers web site
We're greatfully indebted to Steven McLachlan of the Shades Stamp Shop at 108 Hereford Street, Christchurch for the top photograph, which precipitated this article and also to Heather Bray of Dunedin for the biographical details of her great great Uncle.
May 30, 2009
A Unique Photographic Discovery
Streetscapes of Christchurch in 1868 are quite rare; there are only ten that can be positively identified to that specific year, with another four being designated as circa 1868. Accordingly, we were pleasantly surprised when our hawk-eyed scrutiny revealed that a pair of these 141 year-old photographs were taken within minutes of each other and almost certainly by the same photographer.
In that era hand held cameras were still a far off dream and the bulky equipment would have necessitated the use of a tripod as the exposure time for a sun lit landscape would then have been about five seconds. What can be ascertained by the digital interpolation of the photographs with variable transparency, is that although they were taken from the same vantage point, the camera's lens had been changed between the exposures, with the second photograph probably being taken with a portrait lens.
The pair of photographs, which would appear to be unique in the annals of early Christchurch photography, were taken from the intersection of Oxford Terrace and Cashel Streets (near to where the Bridge of Remembrance now stands). In these northerly aspects across Hereford to Worcester Street, the horse and cart to the Left has moved on in the second photograph and the man standing on the pavement to the Right has turned his back to the camera.
As yet unable to positively identify the photographer, our best guess would currently be Alfred Barker, that renowned gossip, city Coroner and pioneer of Christchurch photography. His enthusiasm for amateur photography would not only be in keeping with an experimentation of the same subject, but he was also said to have cut up window panes from his house (which is not quite visible in the photographs) in order to make more glass negatives.
In that era our common coins, from threepences to half-crowns, were made of 92.5% Silver. These could be dissolved in Nitric acid, with the resulting silver nitrate salts then mixed with Gelatine (derived from animal bones), which would then be used to coat one surface of the 165 by 216 millimetre glass plates.
In order to wash the exposed negatives, Dr Barker would leave them in a box in the Avon River overnight. His journal mentions the ongoing problem of their being stolen from the river during the hours of darkness. Perhaps these unattributed photographs were among his losses.
We've come a long way since the observation that silver tarnished in sunlight led to the invention of viable photography. Thanks to the architect Benjamin Mountfort, who taught photography to Alfred Barker, the photographic record of our city's development began within three years of its foundation.
In that era hand held cameras were still a far off dream and the bulky equipment would have necessitated the use of a tripod as the exposure time for a sun lit landscape would then have been about five seconds. What can be ascertained by the digital interpolation of the photographs with variable transparency, is that although they were taken from the same vantage point, the camera's lens had been changed between the exposures, with the second photograph probably being taken with a portrait lens.
The pair of photographs, which would appear to be unique in the annals of early Christchurch photography, were taken from the intersection of Oxford Terrace and Cashel Streets (near to where the Bridge of Remembrance now stands). In these northerly aspects across Hereford to Worcester Street, the horse and cart to the Left has moved on in the second photograph and the man standing on the pavement to the Right has turned his back to the camera.
As yet unable to positively identify the photographer, our best guess would currently be Alfred Barker, that renowned gossip, city Coroner and pioneer of Christchurch photography. His enthusiasm for amateur photography would not only be in keeping with an experimentation of the same subject, but he was also said to have cut up window panes from his house (which is not quite visible in the photographs) in order to make more glass negatives.
In that era our common coins, from threepences to half-crowns, were made of 92.5% Silver. These could be dissolved in Nitric acid, with the resulting silver nitrate salts then mixed with Gelatine (derived from animal bones), which would then be used to coat one surface of the 165 by 216 millimetre glass plates.
In order to wash the exposed negatives, Dr Barker would leave them in a box in the Avon River overnight. His journal mentions the ongoing problem of their being stolen from the river during the hours of darkness. Perhaps these unattributed photographs were among his losses.
We've come a long way since the observation that silver tarnished in sunlight led to the invention of viable photography. Thanks to the architect Benjamin Mountfort, who taught photography to Alfred Barker, the photographic record of our city's development began within three years of its foundation.
The same view as it appears in 2009
Apr 28, 2009
History Happened Here
No other New Zealand city can claim to have surviving buildings within the central business district from the first decade of settlement, but then neither does Christchurch, which appears to have ignored this unique distinction.
From its beginnings in 1851, that section of Cashel Street, which now lies within the City Mall, was the nascent town's first commercial precinct and the first block to be fully occupied by buildings. Remarkably, two of these early structures, although both altered beyond recognition, survive into the twenty-first century. Facing each other across the mall are the 1856 Union Bank and an original cottage of what is probably an even earlier vintage (below).
The earliest history of 87 Cashel Street West is still shrouded in mystery, but it's probable that by 1858 it was leased by the Draper Louis Nathan, Canterbury's first Jewish settler. Subsequently the premises of a Saddler, by 1875 the Cashel Street building had become adjoined on both sides by substantial second generation brick buildings, both of which survive behind modernised facades.
In 1876 the building was purchased by Nelson King Cherrill, who substantially renovated the premises, creating an ornamental arched shop facade. At this time the roof line was altered to a Mansard design, with an extant large window from the upper floor level through to the roof line, thus providing an ideal photographic studio to a popular London design, with which Cherrill would have been familiar (below). One of the most respected names in Victorian photography, Cherrill (1845-1916) closed his studio and returned to England in 1881.
From its beginnings in 1851, that section of Cashel Street, which now lies within the City Mall, was the nascent town's first commercial precinct and the first block to be fully occupied by buildings. Remarkably, two of these early structures, although both altered beyond recognition, survive into the twenty-first century. Facing each other across the mall are the 1856 Union Bank and an original cottage of what is probably an even earlier vintage (below).
The earliest history of 87 Cashel Street West is still shrouded in mystery, but it's probable that by 1858 it was leased by the Draper Louis Nathan, Canterbury's first Jewish settler. Subsequently the premises of a Saddler, by 1875 the Cashel Street building had become adjoined on both sides by substantial second generation brick buildings, both of which survive behind modernised facades.
In 1876 the building was purchased by Nelson King Cherrill, who substantially renovated the premises, creating an ornamental arched shop facade. At this time the roof line was altered to a Mansard design, with an extant large window from the upper floor level through to the roof line, thus providing an ideal photographic studio to a popular London design, with which Cherrill would have been familiar (below). One of the most respected names in Victorian photography, Cherrill (1845-1916) closed his studio and returned to England in 1881.
Now with a couple of fashionable frock shops on the ground floor, the upper level is currently an apartment (below).
Footnote
The renowned collector of early New Zealand photographs Anthony Rackstraw writes;
"It's probably only a minor observation, but for me its interesting to note that all the Cherrill portrait photographs I have would indicate from the shadow on the subject's face that they all sat in front of the studio window against the east wall (closest to Colombo Street), in the area that has now been subdivided off to form the kitchen. The eleven Cherrill photographs in the Alexander Turnbull Library collection also indicate this; the shadow is always in the same side of the face, except one which strangely is the other way around."
Anthony's observations would tie in with the stairway being at the Oxford Terrace (western) end of the studio, with the small window lighting the stairwell.
Addendum
The tea and coffee importing business of Browne and Heaton can be seen in one of these photographs. The following is from an article that appeared in The Press of 25 November 1995:
"Browne and Heaton, tea and coffee specialists formerly of Cashel Street, have become a Christchurch institution - a name synonymous with good taste, but oddly enough there never was a Mr Browne or a Mr Heaton. The business was started in 1908 by Mr Billingham, who had worked for a well-known Birmingham tea and coffee importers by the name Browne and Heaton. Believing the name of a respected English firm would help him establish a business in Christchurch, he took the name of his former employers.
Sadly, Mr Billingham died soon after Browne and Heaton's opened in Cashel Street but the business continued under his assistant, Mr Smith, and has now been in the Smith family for three generations. Trevor Smith has worked at Browne and Heaton's for 54 years - starting work for his father after college in 1945. Ironically, when Trevor travelled to Britain five years ago, he found that the original Browne and Heaton (Birmingham) had long ceased to exist - bombed out in the early years of World War 2.
A wide selection of society shopped at Browne and Heaton: housewives, doctors, lawyers, immigrant ... and once a week Lady Wigram's chauffeur would call to pick up a standing order for freshly ground coffee. Now wholesalers in Tuam Street, Browne and Heaton still serve regular customers of many years."
Further reading
An illustrated biography of Nelson Cherrill on the Early Canterbury Photographers web site.
An appraisal of Nelson Cherrill's career by Bill Jay, first Director of Photography at London's Institute of Contemporary Arts
Photo credits
Engraving of the interior of a Victorian photographic studio: photoLondon
Detail from an 1878 photograph; collection of the Christchurch Photographic Society, detail from a 1946 photograph; collection of the Canterbury Museum, circa 1860 and 2009 photographs; Canterbury Heritage Archive.
Apr 22, 2009
1887 Bicycle Race
As the restoration and geo-tagging of the ten thousandth vintage streetscape looms, the four dimensional model of Christchurch is acquiring a degree of accuracy, which now allows for the positive identification of virtually all historic images of the city.
The above photograph was taken just before seven o'clock on the morning of Monday, the 26th of September 1887 by Alfred Ernest Preece (1863-1946), who lived close to the lower Riccarton Road location. It comes from the collection of the Canterbury Museum (ref 10959).
The above photograph was taken just before seven o'clock on the morning of Monday, the 26th of September 1887 by Alfred Ernest Preece (1863-1946), who lived close to the lower Riccarton Road location. It comes from the collection of the Canterbury Museum (ref 10959).
The extant Standish and Preece photographic studio was situated at 218 High Street in that era. A regular photographer of cycling events, Preece was probably also the proprietor of the A. E. Preece Cyclists' Exchange in the second A1 Hotel building on the corner of Cashel and Colombo Streets.
The photograph shows the nine contestants at the start of the Pioneer Bicycle Club's fifty mile (80 Km) bicycle race from Christchurch to Leeston and back. The race was won by Richard Bargrove of Waverley Street, New Brighton, who started from scratch and completed the race in 3 hours and 35 minutes. Beating the record by 8 minutes, Bargrove finished 20 minutes before the field.
Seen to the Right at the beginning of Riccarton Road in this easterly view is the Riccarton Hotel. The once famed hostelry stood on the southern corner of Riccarton Road and Deans Avenue at the Riccarton roundabout until 2006.
Dating from 1851, when it was known as The Traveller's Rest, subsequently as the Plough Inn when reconstructed in 1865 and then as the Riccarton Hotel, followed by Nancy’s Hotel until its last ignominous incarnation as the Fat Lady's Arms.
An early favourite with the horse racing fraternity, the hotel's eastern facade (below) faced Hagley Park opposite the finish line of the Canterbury Jockey Club's original racecourse.
The photograph shows the nine contestants at the start of the Pioneer Bicycle Club's fifty mile (80 Km) bicycle race from Christchurch to Leeston and back. The race was won by Richard Bargrove of Waverley Street, New Brighton, who started from scratch and completed the race in 3 hours and 35 minutes. Beating the record by 8 minutes, Bargrove finished 20 minutes before the field.
Seen to the Right at the beginning of Riccarton Road in this easterly view is the Riccarton Hotel. The once famed hostelry stood on the southern corner of Riccarton Road and Deans Avenue at the Riccarton roundabout until 2006.
Dating from 1851, when it was known as The Traveller's Rest, subsequently as the Plough Inn when reconstructed in 1865 and then as the Riccarton Hotel, followed by Nancy’s Hotel until its last ignominous incarnation as the Fat Lady's Arms.
An early favourite with the horse racing fraternity, the hotel's eastern facade (below) faced Hagley Park opposite the finish line of the Canterbury Jockey Club's original racecourse.
TE PAPA IMAGE OPENS IN A NEW TAB OR WINDOW
Restored detail from the National Museum of New Zealand's circa 1905 photograph
Mar 25, 2009
Photographic Excellence
LARGE IMAGE OPENS IN A NEW WINDOW
From Ray Wise of London, comes this coastal landscape of the marine suburb of Sumner from the vicinity of Clifton. With a south-easterly view from Shag Rock (Left), Whitewash Head can be seen at the centre.
Mar 6, 2009
Early Hanmer Springs
From a collection of early photographs of Hanmer Springs by C. A. McEvoy.
The ten much enlargeable images can be viewed at the Early Canterbury Photographers web site.
The ten much enlargeable images can be viewed at the Early Canterbury Photographers web site.
Mar 3, 2009
Photographic Excellence
LARGE IMAGE OPENS IN A NEW WINDOW
A north-westerly view of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary in the vicinity of the anchorage at Redcliffs by Mark Herring of Christchurch.
Mar 1, 2009
Corporate Psychopathy
LARGE IMAGE OPENS IN A NEW WINDOW
Entitled A north-easterly aspect of Lyttelton from near the Oil Wharf, this is an image by a local photographer.
This photograph was stolen and published by Harcourts Group Ltd for the specific purpose of making a commercial profit or gain; namely, to promote sales of the Fitzroy Head residential subdivision.
LARGE IMAGE OPENS IN A NEW WINDOW
In deliberate infringement of New Zealand’s Copyright Act, the photograph appeared in a double page advertisement of issue 506 of the Bluebook Canterbury magazine. It was also used on twelve pages of four separate web sites (one of which, Harcourts proclaim, receives more than half a million views each month).
LARGE IMAGE OPENS IN A NEW WINDOW
In late 2008, Bryan John Thomson, CEO of the Riccarton, Christchurch based Harcourts Group was asked by the amateur photographer to address the matter of this theft of intellectual property. He responded with the assurance that "this matter will be addressed in the appropriate manner."
With no subsequent communication, Thomson's interpretation of an appropriate manner might appear to constitute ignoring a criminal offence punishable by substantial fines and a lengthy custodial sentence.
Perception IS NOT Reality is the title of Thomson's latest blog post. In view of the foregoing it could seem that the chief executive of the New Zealand’s largest real estate group's personal perception of legal responsibility may be overdue for a reality check.
LARGE IMAGE OPENS IN A NEW WINDOW
Now an international conglomerate in an industry whose ethics are reputedly perceived by New Zealanders with less than favour, the Harcourts Group is currently part of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World global network of nearly 700 real estate companies with 5,500 offices and 170,000 sales associates in 38 countries.
This photograph was stolen and published by Harcourts Group Ltd for the specific purpose of making a commercial profit or gain; namely, to promote sales of the Fitzroy Head residential subdivision.
LARGE IMAGE OPENS IN A NEW WINDOW
In deliberate infringement of New Zealand’s Copyright Act, the photograph appeared in a double page advertisement of issue 506 of the Bluebook Canterbury magazine. It was also used on twelve pages of four separate web sites (one of which, Harcourts proclaim, receives more than half a million views each month).
LARGE IMAGE OPENS IN A NEW WINDOW
In late 2008, Bryan John Thomson, CEO of the Riccarton, Christchurch based Harcourts Group was asked by the amateur photographer to address the matter of this theft of intellectual property. He responded with the assurance that "this matter will be addressed in the appropriate manner."
With no subsequent communication, Thomson's interpretation of an appropriate manner might appear to constitute ignoring a criminal offence punishable by substantial fines and a lengthy custodial sentence.
Perception IS NOT Reality is the title of Thomson's latest blog post. In view of the foregoing it could seem that the chief executive of the New Zealand’s largest real estate group's personal perception of legal responsibility may be overdue for a reality check.
LARGE IMAGE OPENS IN A NEW WINDOW
Now an international conglomerate in an industry whose ethics are reputedly perceived by New Zealanders with less than favour, the Harcourts Group is currently part of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World global network of nearly 700 real estate companies with 5,500 offices and 170,000 sales associates in 38 countries.
Feb 25, 2009
Photographic Excellence
LARGE IMAGE OPENS IN A NEW WINDOW
An elevated north-westerly view along lower High Street towards the junction at Manchester and Lichfield Streets by David Jones of Christchurch.
Dec 23, 2008
Photographic Excellence
LARGE IMAGE OPENS IN A NEW WINDOW
The main staircase of the Heritage Hotel in Cathedral Square at the southern corner of Worcester Street East.
Built in 1911 to the design of Joseph Clarkson Maddison (1850-1923) in the Italianate architectural style, the former Government departments building occupies the site of the Christchurch Tramways Company's tram sheds and the pre 1866 premises of George Tombs (1837-1904), a Bookbinder. Known as Whitcombe & Tombs from 1882, the enterprise (subsequent to a merger with the Printers Coull, Somerville and Wilkie) continues to trade as Whitcoulls Ltd.
Built in 1911 to the design of Joseph Clarkson Maddison (1850-1923) in the Italianate architectural style, the former Government departments building occupies the site of the Christchurch Tramways Company's tram sheds and the pre 1866 premises of George Tombs (1837-1904), a Bookbinder. Known as Whitcombe & Tombs from 1882, the enterprise (subsequent to a merger with the Printers Coull, Somerville and Wilkie) continues to trade as Whitcoulls Ltd.
LARGE IMAGE OPENS IN A NEW WINDOW
Photographs by Chris McKay of Christchurch.
Dec 11, 2008
Recent Photographic Acquisitions
Some previosly unpublished, restored and geo-tagged images of old Christchurch that have recently been added to the archive.
An 1883 northery aspect of Colombo Street from near the northwest corner of Cashel Street. The view is across The Bottleneck at the junction with Hereford and High Streets. To the far Left are the premises of the Confectioner Thomas Gee, who would later occupy the northeast corner of Colombo Street at Cathedral Square as the Broadway Tea Rooms.
An 1883 northery aspect of Colombo Street from near the northwest corner of Cashel Street. The view is across The Bottleneck at the junction with Hereford and High Streets. To the far Left are the premises of the Confectioner Thomas Gee, who would later occupy the northeast corner of Colombo Street at Cathedral Square as the Broadway Tea Rooms.
This is a circa 1877 photograph of the Botanic Gardens on Rolleston Avenue. Taken from near the main gates of the gardens, it is a southerly view towards the 1866 South Lodge, home of the Botanic Garden's first Curator John Francis Armstrong (1840-1902). The lodge was replaced by the extant Curator's House in 1919. Beyond it can be seen the early buildings of the Christchurch Hospital.
A circa 1875 view of the 1858 Ohinetahi homestead at Allandale, Governors Bay on Lyttelton Harbour. Built by Thomas Henry Potts (1824-1888), it is the home of the Architect Sir Miles Warren in 2008.
A circa 1875 southeasterly view of the 1859 water mill, situated where the Hereford Street bridge on the Avon River now stands. The Mill was demolished in 1897.
A pair of photographs depicting St Michael's Church and Vicarage on Oxford Terrace at the junction of Lichfield and Durham Streets. The circa 1885 photographs are attributed to Alfred V. Gadd (1833-1910), whose London Portrait Gallery was active from 1876 to 1893.
A part of the photograph showing the winter scene was published in Gwenda Turner's 1999 book Christchurch - An Enchanted Journey Through the Garden City.
An elevated northeasterly view from the tower of Ward's Brewery on Fitzgerald Avenue. Taken about 1885, it includes Avonside Drive and River Road. To the lower Right foreground is the extant 1852 Englefield Lodge (the city's oldest house). This photograph currently forms the Right hand end of an eight photograph panorama from the brewery tower, which will be published when the missing two photographs have been located.
Known as the Ilam homestead, this huge house began life as a pair of joined kit set houses bought from England in 1858 by John Charles Watts Russell, J. P. (1826-75). Originally situated on a fifty acre rural block between Fendalton Road and the Deans farm, two branches of the Waimairi stream passed through the ten acres of gardens (below).
In 1866 John Russell sold most of his property and returned to England, He came back to Christchurch in 1871, where he died four years later aged 49 years and is buried in St Peter's Churchyard at Upper Riccarton.
Mrs Russell subsequently married A. R. Creyke and the Ilam land was subdivided in 1880. Later owners of the property included Leonard Harper, "Ready Money" Robinson, Patrick Campbell and G. D. Greenwood, but what had been the largest private residence in Canterbury was destroyed by fire in August, 1910.
Edgar Stead rebuilt the house in 1914 and also developed a renowned Azalea and Rhododendron garden. Stead sold the property to the University of Canterbury and his home is now the University's Staff Club.
Photographic Excellence
LARGE IMAGE OPENS IN A NEW WINDOW
An elevated northerly view from Redcliffs, across the Avon-Heathcote estuary, to New Brighton.
Photographed by moonlight on the evening of the 10th of December, 2008 by Andrew McGregor.
Photographed by moonlight on the evening of the 10th of December, 2008 by Andrew McGregor.
Dec 4, 2008
1864 & 1928
A pair of elevated north-easterly views across Victoria Square from the Armagh Street tower of the Canterbury Provincial Council buildings.
In the foreground of the earlier image are the Provincial Council's workshops and stables, which were replaced by the extant Magistrate's Court buildings from 1869 to 1881.
In the foreground of the earlier image are the Provincial Council's workshops and stables, which were replaced by the extant Magistrate's Court buildings from 1869 to 1881.
Credits
1864 photograph: Anthony Rackstraw (Early Canterbury Photographers).
1928 photograph: Alexander Turnbull Library (Ref. No. PAColl-5800-04).
Dec 3, 2008
Street Photographers
With the introduction of the 35mm Leica portable camera in 1925, candid street photographers became a common sight in Christchurch's Cathedral Square until the early 1960s.
In this typical example of their work is a then unknown 20 year-old, photographed with his parents as they pass the Cathedral in a southerly direction.
More familiarly known as plain Bill, Sir Wallace Edward Rowling KCMG, (1927-1995) would become the Member of Parliament for Fendalton in 1960 and then Prime Minister of New Zealand in 1974.
In this typical example of their work is a then unknown 20 year-old, photographed with his parents as they pass the Cathedral in a southerly direction.
More familiarly known as plain Bill, Sir Wallace Edward Rowling KCMG, (1927-1995) would become the Member of Parliament for Fendalton in 1960 and then Prime Minister of New Zealand in 1974.
Nov 26, 2008
Christchurch Portrait Photographers
Built in the front garden of an earlier (and extant) house in the mid 1880s, this is 209 High Street, Christchurch. Now occupied by Kennett the Jeweller, it is situated on the western side of High Street, between Lichfield and Tuam Streets (near to the Manchester Street intersection).
By 1906 the upper floor was the Crown Studio of the photographer George Oswald Viertel. In 1925 it was listed as the photographic studio of Ernest Millard, becoming the studio of Ingham Milnes by 1930. Known as the Elmar Studios in 1944, it had became Elmar and Ambrose Studios by 1971, when Mr J. Ambrose combined his Armagh Street premises with the long established business.
Although many Cantabrians would have old photographs bearing at least one of the aforementioned names, perhaps few would be aware that their historic family portraits originated from the upper floor of this building.
By 1906 the upper floor was the Crown Studio of the photographer George Oswald Viertel. In 1925 it was listed as the photographic studio of Ernest Millard, becoming the studio of Ingham Milnes by 1930. Known as the Elmar Studios in 1944, it had became Elmar and Ambrose Studios by 1971, when Mr J. Ambrose combined his Armagh Street premises with the long established business.
Although many Cantabrians would have old photographs bearing at least one of the aforementioned names, perhaps few would be aware that their historic family portraits originated from the upper floor of this building.
The old house behind 209 High Street
Addendum
The entrance to the upper floor Crown Studios to the Left. A vertical arrangement of photographic portraits is just visible to the Right of the entrance.
Candid street Photographers were a familiar sight in Cathedral Square from the later 1920s until the early 1960s. This example of a proof ticket come from the collection of Anthony Rackstraw, publisher of the Early Canterbury Photographers web site.
Lyttelton Dusk
LARGE IMAGE OPENS IN A NEW WINDOW
An elevated northeasterly view of Lyttelton, with Quail Island to the foreground, in the early evening of the 13th of November, 2008.
Original photograph by Hugh of Wellington.
Nov 24, 2008
Cashel Street 1862
Probably dating from 1862, this is the earliest known easterly view of Cashel Street from the High Street intersection.
To the Left is the provincial government's Customs building, to its Right is the seed shop of the market gardener William Wilson, who would become the city's first Mayor. The large oval roofed building is the horse bazaar and auction rooms of William David Barnard, a Christchurch Municipal Councillor from 1868.
Known as Tattersall's Auction Rooms, it would become H. Matson and Company. Replaced by the Tattersalls Hotel in 1900, it's the site of a car park building in 2008. Beyond the auction rooms is the Saddlery of Archibald Admore. Further on to the corner of Manchester Street are first generation buildings in what was the 1851 garden of Captain Richard Westenra, earliest New Zealand forebear of the renowned Hayley Westenra.
To the far Right at the corner of the extant Kiver's Lane is the 1860 grocery store and bakery of Charles Kiver (1816-1882).
William Barnard's premises with an auction in progress
Note
Although there were two commercial photographers known to be operating in Christchurch by 1856, there are as yet no known streetscapes of the city before 1859. By the time that the above photographs were taken there were fifteen photographers listed in Christchurch.
Oct 5, 2008
Early Canterbury Photographers
A previously unattributed Christchurch photographic portrait, circa 1905, quite prboably by Mrs Nellie Alexandra Hemus, but possibly by her husband James William Hemus, whose Sarony Art Studios were situated in the Oram's Buildings at the south-east corner of Colombo and Armagh Streets.
There were also Sarony Studios at Auckland, Wellington and Melbourne and they would appear to have been franchises of Napoléon Sarony (1821-1896) who, in the second half of the 19th century, succeeded Matthew Brady as America's best-known portrait photographer.
The work of James and Nellie Hemus and their Sarony Studios, which was still active in 1952, is recorded in Anthony Rackstraw's comprehensive Early Canterbury Photographers web site. The site also includes a significant collection of Cartes de Visite portraits of our early settlers and is well worth a visit.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)