David Scott, 140 Pitt Street, Sydney [Photographer]

Successor of William Bradley, 140 Pitt Street Sydney

As mentioned in an earlier post William Bradley, 140 Pitt Street, Sydney [Photographer], David Scott purchased William Bradley's photographic business in November 1869. The business continues to be advertised under the name of William Bradley until 1871 when David Scott's name starts to appear.

Source: Advertising. (1872, January 3). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 1.
Retrieved September 2, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13250118

By 1878, advertisements list Scott as being a Prize Medalist at the Sydney Exhibitions for the years 1872, 1873, 1875 and 1877. Also listed is that he is now by appointment to His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. An example advert for the Australian Town and Country Journal during 1878 follows.

Advertising. (1878, October 26). Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1907), p. 8.
Retrieved November 23, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70595984

David Scott is still listed at 140 Pitt Street in January 1880.

Advertising. (1880, January 10). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 2.
Retrieved November 23, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13450135

New premises at 96 Pitt Street

By March 1880, advertisements for David Scott start to appear with new premises located at 96 Pitt Street in Sydney.

Advertising. (1880, March 20). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 15.
Retrieved November 23, 2014, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28385576

John Adamson & Son, Glasgow, SCT [Photographers]

This post is a continuation in a series of posts looking at late nineteenth century photographers. By using the information on the rear imprint, our aim is to use this information as a guide to helping us narrow down a date range of when the photograph was taken.

John Adamson & Son - 126 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow

On the back of one of the carte de visite photographs in the Georgina Auld nee Muir album is a photograph by Scottish 'Photographic Artists' John Adamson & Son. The Adamson studio is listed as 126 Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow, as well as Victoria Street in Rothesay.

Example rear imprint for photographers John Adamson & Son
[Auld Photograph Collection apc-000023-s2]

Using the Scottish Post Office Directories

Researching through the Scottish Post-Office Directories for Glasgow, there is no listing for a John Adamson & Son in the 1871-72 Post-Office Annual Glasgow Directory under the name Adamson in the General Directory or alternatively under the list of Photographic Artists in the Trades Directory section.

The 1872-73 Post-Office Annual Glasgow Directory has several entries for John Adamson & Son. Under the General section of the directory there is a listing under the surname Adamson. The father and son team are listed as photographic artists at 126 Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow.

1872-73 Post-Office Annual Glasgow Directory, p50

In the Street Directory section under "SAUCHIEHALL STREET", the above information is confirmed with a listing at number 126. Here John Adamson & Son are listed as artists, as opposed to photographers.

1872-73 Post-Office Annual Glasgow Directory, p533

In the Trades Directory section there are two listing, one under "ARTISTS", and another under "PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTISTS". Extracts follow:

Trade Directory: Artists
1872-73 Post-Office Annual Glasgow Directory, p558

Trade Directory: Photographic Artists
1872-73 Post-Office Annual Glasgow Directory, p658

There is no listing John Adamson & Son in the 1873-74 Post-Office Annual Glasgow Directory. In fact, according to the Street Directory section at 126 Sauchiehall Street, the photographer John Stuart is now operating from these premises.

1873-74 Post-Office Annual Glasgow Directory, p548

John Adamson & Son - Victoria Street, Rothesay

Currently the Scottish Post-Office Directories have available to view online the Bute County Directories for 1889-1912. Searching the first available directory, the 1889-90 Bute County Directory, which includes the areas Rothesay, North Bute, Kingarth, Port-Bannatyne, reveals John Adamson & Son are still operational in 1889. They are listed under the "Part II - Householders - Parish of Rothesay" section of the directory, and although they now no longer have their studio in Victoria Street, it clearly shows the pair are still operating their photographic studio at this time.

1889-90 Bute County Directory, p.33

Dating the photograph based on the evidence

The documentary evidence based solely on the information sourced from the Post Office Directories, dates the photo to between 1872 and 1873. Further research may be able to narrow the date range down further.

William Bradley, 140 Pitt Street, Sydney [Photographer]

New Gallery at 140 Pitt Street, Sydney

Before branching out in his own right, William Bradley was in partnership with Oswald Allen, trading under the name of Bradley and Allen. In the beginning of November 1866, William Bradley started advertising that a new gallery / studio from 140 Pitt Street, Sydney, would be ready to accept sitters from Monday 12 November.

Source: Advertising. (1866, November 9). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 1.
Retrieved September 2, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13148864

Source: Advertising. (1866, November 16). Illustrated Sydney News (NSW : 1853 - 1872), p. 14.
Retrieved September 2, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63513186

Advertisements from 1968 also give details of William Bradley's credentials and not only mention Bradley and Allen, but also state that he was the sole photographer at Dalton's for some six years.

Source: Advertising. (1868, February 8). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 6.
Retrieved September 4, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13155627

William Bradley sells his business

On 12 November 1869, William Bradley, who appears to be now based in London, sells his Sydney business to friend and fellow photographer David Scott.

Source: Advertising. (1870, January 29). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 2.
Retrieved September 4, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13199690

Business continues

A search of the online newspapers currently available on Trove, reveal regular advertisements under the name of William Bradley These business notices appear in newsprint over the 1869 to 1871 period.

Source: Advertising. (1869, November 27). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 1.
Retrieved September 2, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13195918

Advertisements for William Bradley's successor, David Scott, started appearing in advertisements from 1871. An example is as follows:

Source: Advertising. (1872, January 3). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 1.
Retrieved September 2, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13250118

William Dargavel, Newton, Ayr [Photographer]

This post is a continuation in a series of posts looking at late nineteenth century photographers. By using the information on the rear imprint, our aim is to use this information as a guide to helping us narrow down a date range of when the photograph was taken.

William Dargavel - 4 Murray Place, Newton Ayr

On the back of one of the carte de visite photographs in the Georgina Auld nee Muir album is a photograph by Scottish 'photo artist' William Dargavel. Dargavel's studio is listed as 4 Murray Place in Newton, Ayr.

Example rear imprint for photographer William Dargavel
[Auld Photograph Collection apc-000007-s2]

Unfortunately there does not appear to be very many examples (on the internet at least) of the rear imprint from a William Dargavel photograph to use as a reference...to the extent that I haven't been able to find any! Another problem associated with trying to track down William Dargavel is access to online Scottish newspapers covering Ayr. For the purposes of this post I will be using Scottish Post Office Directories which have been made available via the Digital Collections from the National Library of Scotland.

Using the Scottish Post Office Directories

Searching through the Post Office Directories of Ayrshire, the first mention of William Dargavel appears in the 1870-71 Post Office Directory for Ayr Newton and Wallacetown.

In this directory William is listed on page 38 at the house address of Gordon Place in Wallacetown. He is also listed as being of W. & J. Dargavel. Wm. & John Dargavel are listed as tobacconists at 6 High Street, with John Dargavel also listed as living at Allison Place in Allison Street Newton. William Dargavel is also listed on page 71 of the directory as a tobacconists at Gordon Place and at the shop on 6 High Street, Ayr.

The 1873-74 Post Office General and Trades Directory for Ayr, Newton, and Wallacetown lists William Dargavel on page 34 as living at 1 Albert Place, New Bridge Street. John Dargavel and the business John & Wm. Dargavel [sic] are listed at the same addresses. There is no mention of a William Dargavel listed under Photographic Artists in the Trade Directory section of the Directory (page 111). J. & W. Dargavel are listed under Tobacconists on page 115.

Proceeding to the next available directory, the 1876-77 Post Office General and Trades Directory for Ayr, Newton, and Wallacetown, Willliam Dargavel is listed at the house address of 4 Murray Place, Newtonhead.

1876-77 Post Office General and Trades Directory for Ayr Newton and Wallacetown, p.35.

As can be seen in the extract above, William is still listed as a tobacconist in the partnership of John & Wm. Dargavel at 6 High Street. The partnership of J. & W. Dargavel is also listed in the Trade Directory section of the 1876-77 Directory under the subheading of Tobacconists (page 109). It is in the Trade Directory section that William Dargavel is also listed under the Photographic Artists, thus confirming Dargavel as operating his photographic business from the same address as his home. Six other Ayrshire photographers are also listed in this years directory.

1876-77 Post Office General and Trades Directory for Ayr Newton and Wallacetown, p.105.

There is no mention of either William or John Dargavel listed in the 1878-79 Post Office General and Trades Directory for Ayr, Newton, and Wallacetown.

Dating the photograph based on the evidence

The documentary evidence based solely on the information sourced from the Post Office Directories, dates the photo to 1876 ±2 years. Further research may be able to narrow the date range down further.

Hemus & Hanna, Auckland NZ [Photographers]

A new studio opens in Auckland

In August 1875, Charles Hemus and John Robert Hanna joined forces in partnership to establish a photographic portrait studio in Auckland. An advertisement in the Auckland Star signaled their intent:

Advertisements (1875, August 12). Auckland Star, p. 3. Retrieved June 16, 2013, from http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS18750812.2.25.1&srpos=6

By August 21 a newspaper notice informed the public that premises had been leased for the studio, located at the corner of Queen and Wellesley Streets West:

Advertisements (1875, August 21). Auckland Star, p. 3. Retrieved June 16, 2013, from http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS18750821.2.22.5

Several days later a newspaper report on the Hemus & Hanna Studio appeared detailing, among other things, the extent of the photographic studio. Listed are twelve rooms for printing and other branches of the business, plus a large glass room which extended over four adjoining houses:

MESSRS HEMUS AND HANNA'S STUDIO (1875, August 23). Auckland Star, p. 2. Retrieved June 16, 2013, from http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS18750823.2.13

On September 1 the photographic studio of Hemus & Hanna officially opened for business:

Advertisements (1875, September 1). Auckland Star, p. 3. Retrieved June 16, 2013, from http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS18750901.2.27.5

Hemus & Hanna - Artisits Photographers

Advertising superior portraiture photography, Hemus & Hanna also offered artistically finished photographs using oils, water colours or crayons. An early example rear imprint from one of Hemus & Hanna's carte de visite photographs that appears in the Georgina Auld nee Muir photo album follows:

Example of mid to late 1870s rear imprint from a Hemus & Hanna carte de visite
[Auld Photograph Collection apc-000108-s2]

There were at least three additional photographers operating within Auckland in July 1876. Published in the Daily Southern Cross were the American Photographic Company, R.H. Bartlett, Clarke Bros., plus Hemus & Hanna, all vying for the patronage of the public.

Advertisements (1876, July 13). Daily Southern Cross, p. 4. Retrieved June 16, 2013, from http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=DSC18760713.2.22.7

No doubt to distinguish themselves from the other photographers, Hemus & Hanna started offering photographs of New Zealand's unique sites to tourists. Confirmation of this approach can be seen in an advertising campaign carried out in 1878 when the pair offered photographs of the beautiful Lake Rotomahana district for sale through their Queen Street studio.

Advertisements (1878, June 5). Auckland Star, p. 4. Retrieved June 16, 2013, from
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=AS18780605.2.32.2

Larger sized photographs known as cabinet cards reached their peak in the 1880s and would soon displace the smaller carte de visite sized photographs. Hemus & Hanna started advertising "finely finished enlargements" in September 1881:

Advertisements (1881, September 10). Observer, p. 617. Retrieved June 16, 2013, from http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=TO18810910.2.24.3

Dissolution of partnership

The partnership of Hemus & Hanna was officially dissolved on 14 April 1885.

Advertisements (1885, April 15). New Zealand Herald, p. 1. Retrieved June 16, 2013, from http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=NZH18850415.2.2.4

Although Charles Hemus continued the business in his own name, John Robert Hanna would also continue by purchasing the business of Clarke Bros. and opening his own studio. The partnership between Hemus and Hanna lasted just under ten years from August 1875 (officially opening for business in September) through to April 1885.

Further references

• Early New Zealand Photographers and their successors
• Papers Past [National Library of New Zealand]
• Photographers Database [Auckland City Library]

James Muir by Metcalfe & Glaister [Carte de visite]

Photo details:

Title James Muir by Metcalfe & Glaister Date 1875 Collection Georgina Auld nee Muir photo album Digital ID apc-000105 Photo Type Carte de visite Mount Size 63 x 103 mm Mount Thickness 0.575 mm Mount Colour Natural Mount Edges Straight Mount Corners Square Image Size 61 x 97 mm Technology Albumen Features Embossed oval picture mask Front Imprint None Back Imprint Medium sized, text and artwork

Front face Rear face

Front face:

Through several of my earlier posts on Trove Tuesday : The family of James Muir and Trove Tuesday : Identifying James Muir, I have managed to identify the individual in this carte de visite as James Muir, the brother of the Georgina Auld nee Muir.

James Muir by Metcalfe & Glaister (front face) [Auld Photograph Collection apc-000105-s1]

Larger version on Flickr

There is no imprint on the front face.

As mentioned in my earlier post on Identifying James Muir, the name written in ballpoint pen on the front face is 'Edgar Collingbourne'. This name appears to be fictional and does not correspond to any family members that have been uncovered to date. The history of the ballpoint pen also needs to be taken into account, as the first patent for the ballpoint pen as we know it today was not filed until 1938 by Hungarian newspaper editor and inventor László Bíró. Market saturation of this type of pen varied by country, but it really didn't take off until post-war late 1940s and early 1950s. From this information we can safely say that the name was written well after the date that this photo was taken.

Rear face:

James Muir by Metcalfe & Glaister (rear face) [Auld Photograph Collection apc-000105-s2]

Larger version on Flickr

Imprint on rear face is medium sized and includes both text and artwork. Inscription of the text reads as:

METCALFE & GLAISTER.
PHOTOGRAPHIC
ARTISTS.
[small print]WATSON & CO:LITH:
QUEEN ST BRISBANE.
Late
J.WATSON, 

See Trove Tuesday : Metcalfe & Glaister [Photographers] for more information on Metcalfe & Glaister and their photographic studio in Queen Street, Brisbane. As discussed in that post, the documentary evidence based solely on the information provided on the back imprint dates the photo to 1875.

Trove Tuesday : Metcalfe & Glaister [Photographers]

This week I will be using the digitised newspapers on Trove in an attempt to help narrow the date range for another photograph in the carte de visite collection.

Metcalfe & Glaister - photographic artists

On the back of one of the photos is the name of Brisbane based photographers Metcalfe & Glaister. 

METCALFE & GLAISTER.
PHOTOGRAPHIC
ARTISTS.
[small print]WATSON & CO:LITH:
QUEEN ST BRISBANE.
Late
J.WATSON, 

Queen Street Brisbane studio

From the details provided on the photo, Metcalfe & Glaister operated a studio in Queen Street Brisbane. According to a public notice printed in The Brisbane Courier in 1875, Metcalfe & Glaister took over the business of J. Watson from 23 April, offering a range of new styles of photographic portraits.

Source: Classified Advertising. (1875, April 26). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 1. Retrieved June 11, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1397960

According to The Queenslander, the pair entered the 1875 Queensland Exhibition held on 8 July, with Metcalfe & Glaister receiving a Certificate of Merit for photographic portraits.

Tragedy strikes the Metcalfe & Glaister partnership

On Wednesday 8 August 1877, Mr Glaister is poisoned when his supposedly drinks a photographic chemical, cyanide of potassium, instead of gin! This mistake unfortunately results in his death . Reports of Mr Glaister's death was reported in several newspapers the following Tuesday, including the interstate Sydney newspaper, the Evening News: 

Source: Sad Case of Accidental Poisoning. (1877, August 14). Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), p. 2. Retrieved June 11, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108189526

No doubt the interstate reporting of this sad news is a testament to the notoriety of Metcalfe & Glaister as photographers. Within Queensland, reports of the incident where also published in the Rockhampton Bulletin, a transcription follows:

A distressing case of poisoning occurred in this city on Wednesday morning. Mr, Glaister, of the firm of Metcalfe and Glaister drank a quantity of cyanide of potassium (a chemical used in the photographing business), and died from the effects of the draught in about an hour. It is believed that he mistook the chemical for gin, as he had only a short time previously sent out for a glass of that spirit. He was from thirty to forty years of age, and has left a widow and child. 

Source: Brisbane, August 10. Brisbane. (1877, August 14). Rockhampton Bulletin (Qld. : 1871 - 1878), p. 2. Retrieved June 11, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article51911343

Metcalfe moves on...

A year later, there are still reports of the Metcalfe & Glaister business operating under that name - The Brisbane Courier reported in July 1878 on the display of the relatively new format cabinet and coloured photographs.

Source: Telegraphic. (1878, July 27). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 5. Retrieved June 11, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1373802

Within several months however, the photographic name of Metcalfe & Glaister was replaced by Metcalf [sic] & Bennett in a new studio location in the Smith's Buildings, Queen Street, Brisbane.

Source: Classified Advertising. (1878, October 28). The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), p. 1. Retrieved June 11, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1376091

Based on the above information, the photographers Metcalfe & Glaister operated from their Queen Street, Brisbane studio from April 1875 through to August 1877. That said, it would appear from the newspaper articles referenced that the business kept operating until October 1878 under the Metcalfe & Glaister name.

Putting a date on the carte de visite

Conservation Architect Peter Marquis-Kyle has two fine examples of back imprints of carte de visite photographs by Metcalfe & Glaister in his online collection. The first example is very similar to the back imprint displayed above, except there is no "late J. Watson", indicating that it is of a later date.

Metcalfe & Glaister back imprint. Photo reproduced courtesy Peter Marquis-Kyle
Source: http://www.marquis-kyle.com.au/cartes/000260.php

The second example shows rather elaborate text and scroll work covering the full back and angled at forty-five degrees, indicating a later period again than the first example.

Metcalfe & Glaister back imprint. Photo reproduced courtesy Peter Marquis-Kyle
Source: http://www.marquis-kyle.com.au/cartes/000259.php

Based on the information collected and the rear imprint examples of other Metcalfe & Glaister work cited, I would put a year date for this photo as 1875.

Unknown male by J. Hubert Newman [Carte de visite]

Photo details:

Title Unknown male by J. Hubert Newman Date 1873 ±1 Collection Georgina Auld nee Muir photo album Digital ID apc-000035 Photo Type Carte de visite Mount Size 63 x 105 mm Mount Thickness 0.525 mm Mount Colour Natural Mount Edges Straight Mount Corners Square Image Size 60 x 93 mm Technology Albumen Features - Front Imprint Small lettering Back Imprint Large sized, text and artwork

Front face Rear face

Front face:

Unfortunately the name of the gentleman in this photograph is currently unknown - maybe you can help? If so leave a comment. The robes worn by  this gentleman may indicate that he is in the clergy. The album that this photograph belongs to was once owned by Georgina Muir. In this particular branch of the Aulds, both the Muir and Auld names have strong links to the Presbyterian church. Georgina Muir married Reverend John Auld and their son John Hay Goodlet Auld also became a Reverend in the Presbyterian church.

One possibility is the Reverend James Stirling Muir. Rev. John Calder has written an article on One Hundred Years of Presbyterianism on the North Shore, 1844-1944: St Peter's Presbyterian Church, North Sydney in which there is mention of Reverend Muir in Sydney during the early 1870s. Inducted into the pastoral charge of St. Peter's Church, North Shore (Sydney), in 1870, Rev. James Stirling Muir continued until 1871 at which time he left the colony. James Stirling Muir's father Rev. John Muir, was also a minister in the Presbyterian church. 

To date a connection has not been found between the Rev. James Stirling Muir and Georgina Muir.

Unknown male by J. Hubert Newman (front face) [Auld Photograph Collection apc-000035-s1]

Larger version on Flickr

Imprint on the front face is small text and reads "J. HUBERT NEWMAN   HYDE PARK, SYDNEY"

Rear face:

Unknown male by J. Hubert Newman (rear face) [Auld Photograph Collection apc-000035-s2]

Larger version on Flickr

Imprint on rear face is large sized and includes both text and artwork. Inscription of the text reads as:

PHOTOGRAPHER BY APPOINTMENT TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR
[top medal] AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES 1870
[bottom left medal] PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE AWARDED TO J.H.NEWMAN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS 1872
[bottom right medal] PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE AWARDED TO J.H.NEWMAN FOR CRAYONS 1872
[monogram] JHN
J. HUBERT NEWMAN
PHOTOGRAPHER AND CRAYON PAINTER
12 South Head Road
Hyde Park
SYDNEY

See Trove Tuesday : John Hubert Newman [Photographer] for more information on John Hubert Newman and his photographic studio at 12 South Head Road. As discussed in that post, the documentary evidence based solely on the information provided on the back imprint dates the photo to 1872-1874, or 1873 ±1 year.

Trove Tuesday : John Hubert Newman [Photographer]

One of my pet projects of late has been to start digitally archiving a photo album that came into my possession late last year. This particular album contains some beautiful late nineteenth century carte de visite and cabinet card photographs relating to the Auld family, taken by photographers in Scotland, England and Australia. In due course I will be sharing the collection online for all to see.

Always look at the back of photograph

Readers of my blog may be familiar with some talks I have given in regards to identifying and preserving your family photographs and the importance of checking the back of a photograph. This is particularly true with the smaller carte de visite photos, were photographers used the back to imprint their details. A breakdown of some key general dates that may be useful when attempting to date a photograph using the back imprint are as follow:

• Before 1861 - blank or small pasted label
• 1860 to 1862 - single line
• 1862 to 1870 - text includes the word negatives or duplicates
• 1860 to 1868 - rubber stamp or simple typeset trade name in small print
• 1880 to 1885 - more ornate with all over designs
• 1885 onwards - highly elaborate full of publicity information
• 1875 to 1900 - backs may include a picture

John Hubert Newman - photographer and crayon painter

On the back of one of the carte de visite photos I recently scanned was the name of a Sydney based photographer J. Hubert Newman. Newman operated from several locations throughout his career and I thought it would be an interesting exercise to try and use the digistised newspapers on Trove in an attempt to help narrow the date range for this photograph. 

PHOTOGRAPHER BY APPOINTMENT TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR
[top medal] AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES 1870
[bottom left medal] PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE AWARDED TO J.H.NEWMAN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS 1872
[bottom right medal] PRACTICE WITH SCIENCE AWARDED TO J.H.NEWMAN FOR CRAYONS 1872
[monogram] JHN
J. HUBERT NEWMAN
PHOTOGRAPHER AND CRAYON PAINTER
12 South Head Road
Hyde Park
SYDNEY

Based on the medals displayed on the back, we can safely say that the photograph dates from 1872 onwards...but what time period was Newman operating from his studio in 12 South Head Road? According to the biography listing on the Design and Art Australia Online website, Newman was active in Sydney from 1862 -1900. Let's see what Trove has to say...

South Head Road studios

In 1867 Newman advertised in The Sydney Morning Herald that he had terminated his employment with the firm Oswald Allen (late Bradley and Allen). The same advertisement mentions his gallery which was located at 53 South Head Road.

Source: Advertising. (1867, February 23). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved May 21, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13137748

It is not until the beginning of 1870 that Newman moves closer to Hyde Park at 12 South Head Road.

Source: Advertising. (1870, February 14). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved May 21, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13200507

Source: Advertising. (1870, May 30). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved May 21, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13206017

In March 1875, Newman is mentioned in The Sydney Morning Herald, in the matter of the insolvency of Peak Downs Consols Copper Mining Company (Limited) in the Supreme Court of New South Wales, John Hubert Newman is listed as a shareholder of the company, with the address of 12 South Head Road

Source: Advertising. (1875, March 11). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved May 21, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13353157

South Head Road renamed Oxford Street

From my research, it appears that all subsequent newspaper mentions of Newman's studio during 1875, list his address as Oxford Street. In July he is advertising for a "Respectable boy", then in August Newman is mentioned in relation to his entries into the Melbourne Intercolonial Exhibition of 1875.

Source: Advertising. (1875, July 19). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved May 21, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13357333

Source: The Melbourne Exhibition. (1875, August 21). The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 - 1893), p. 6. Retrieved May 21, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article18797801

Newman is again mentioned when the results for the photography section of the Melbourne Intercolonial Exhibition are announced in October 1875. Achieving a first placed medal for his photographic portraiture - interestingly Newman's address is given as 64 Oxford Street.  

Source: JURY AWARDS AT THE EXHIBITION. (1875, October 5). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 5. Retrieved May 21, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7421396

Source: INTERCOLONIAL EXHIBITION. 1875. (1875, October 30). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 9. Retrieved May 21, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article7423608

During the Easter holidays in 1881, Newman notifies readers of The Sydney Morning Herald that he would be closed over the break. The address given in this instance is 12 Oxford Street.

Source: Advertising. (1881, April 15). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved May 21, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13480416

Although to date I have not found a specific date of when the address changed, Garry Wotherspoon in his The road east article listed on the Dictionary of Sydney website, states that "its lower section was renamed Oxford Street in 1875". References to the renaming of South Head Road to Oxford Street can certainly be found in the archived newspapers on Trove - the following is just one example that appeared in July 1874:

Source: Advertising. (1874, July 25). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 13. Retrieved May 21, 2013, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13336477

Back to dating our carte de visite photograph

Taking the documentary evidence into consideration, it appears that the photographer John Hubert Newman carried out his business at his studio located at 12 South Head Road, between the years 1870 and 1874. In regards to dating the photograph in question, and based on the additional of the medals listed on the back of the photograph, the years could be narrowed down to 1872-1874, or 1873 ±1 year.