Canberra From Duntroon Observatory
1913. Vintage silver gelatin photographs, two-panel panorama, photographer initials “H&S” [Howard & Shearsby], numbered “154” and “155” and captioned in negative lower left, 8.8 x 13.8cm (approx. each). Minor discolouration, laid down on original backing. Original frame. Caption continues “Site of Commencement Column.” “The site for Canberra had been chosen in 1908 from a number of locations between Sydney and Melbourne, the nation’s two largest cities. In 1911 an international competition was announced for the planning of the city and was won by architect Walter Burley Griffin.” “The six-sided foundation stone (each side representing a state) was laid to mark the beginning of construction of the city of Canberra. While the foundation stone was meant to be the basis for a commemorative column, it was never finished. The base remains at the front of Parliament House.” “In partnership with Yass businessman Charles Howard, Alfred [Shearsby] founded Howard and Shearsby photographers, a firm which rescued and republished the work of earlier Yass photographers, recorded events such as the building of the Burrinjuck Dam and the founding of Canberra and attempted to capture the image of every Yass recruit for the First World War.” Ref: De Souza, “Naming the Federal Capital of Australia” (National Film and Sound Archive); Glebe Society; Canberra & District Historical Society (identifying photographers).
Item #CL207-14
Price (AUD): $1,100.00 other currencies