Photo details:
| Title | | Joseph Paxton by Hemus & Hanna |
| Date | | 1877±1 |
| Collection | | Georgina Auld nee Muir photo album |
| Digital ID | | apc-000108 |
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| Photo Type | | Carte de visite |
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| Mount Size | | 64 x 105 mm |
| Mount Thickness | | 0.745 mm |
| Mount Colour | | White |
| Mount Edges | | Straight |
| Mount Corners | | Round |
| Mount Border | | Single thick gold line |
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| Image Size | | 60 x 97 mm |
| Technology | | Albumen |
| Features | | Oval picture mask |
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| Front Imprint | | Small lettering |
| Back Imprint | | Medium sized, text and artwork |
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| Front face |
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| Rear face |
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Front face:
I am very appreciative of the assistance of fellow researcher Paul Cooper, whose help has been invaluable in identifying the individual in this particular carte de visite as Joseph Paxton.
Original has been cut and reduced in size slightly at the top with the top corners squared. Photographers imprint on the front face reads:
HEMUS & HANNA.
The name written in ballpoint pen on the front face is 'Erasmus Wellsted'. This name is fictional and does not correspond to the individual identified. As mentioned in a
prior post, the history of the ballpoint pen also needs to be taken into account. With this additional information we can safely say that the name was written well after the date that this photo was taken.
On a recent visit by Paul Cooper to view several of the Auld albums that I have in my possession, Paul identified Joseph Paxton immediately. It so happens that Paul is currently researching Paxton and recognised his photo as being similar to an illustrated engraving that was published in
Australian Men of Mark. Further investigation revealed a three page biography (pages 273-275) including the illustrated plate for Joseph Paxton (see below) appeared in
Australian Men of Mark Volume 2.
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| Australian men of mark. Vol. 2., Illus. with authentic portraits. Charles F. Maxwell, Sydney. p 273. |
Joseph Paxton passed away 18 May 1882 and an obituary was printed in the
Australian Town and Country Journal the following month.
Accompanying this article was an illustration of slightly older Joseph Paxton, which reinforces the identification that has been made of this carte de visite.
Research into the Auckland based photographers (see detail below in regards to rear face) puts the age of the carte de visite between 1875-85. The death of Joseph Paxton further narrows this date range down to 1875-82.
In regards to placing Joseph Paxton in New Zealand, additional research uncovered by Paul Cooper has also revealed that Paxton left Sydney on 27 November 1876 and arrived back from New Zealand on 7 February 1878. These dates help narrow the time frame down even further to 1877 ±1 year.
Rear face:
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| Joseph Paxton by Hemus & Hanna (rear face) [Auld Photograph Collection apc-000108-s2] |
Imprint on rear face is medium sized and includes both text and artwork. Inscription of the text reads as:
Hemus & Hanna,
Artist Photographers
QUEEN STREET, CORNER OF WELLESLEY WEST,
AUCKLAND.
Miniature and Enlargements
Painted in Oil or Water Colors.
See
Hemus & Hanna, Auckland NZ [Photographers] for more information on Hemus & Hanna and their photographic studio in Queen Street, Auckland. As discussed in that post, the documentary evidence based solely on the information provided on the back imprint dates the photo between August 1875 and April 1885.
