Showing 25 items matching "electric studios"
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Ithacan Historical Society
Photograph, Whitney Bros. Electric Studios, Studio photograph of a man and a child, C1920s
... Electric Studios...Printed on the back: WHITNEY BROS/ELECTRIC STUDIOS/118...Whitney Bros. Electric Studios... Electric Studios unknown Printed on the back: WHITNEY BROS/ELECTRIC ...Many studio photographs such as this would have been taken to send back to family and friends left behind in Ithaca and other parts of the world.A sepia photograph in an oval outline of a man holding a little child on his knee. The photograph is in post card format.Printed on the back: WHITNEY BROS/ELECTRIC STUDIOS/118 BOURKE ST/MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA/CORRESPONDENCE/ADDRESS.whitney bros, electric studios, unknown -
Lara RSL Sub Branch
Photograph, Whitney Bros Electric Studios Bourke St Melbourne, Photograph Jim Mcintyre, World War 1
... Electric Studios Melbourne Australia Beryl Kenny...Whitney Bros Electric Studios Bourke St Melbourne... Electric Studios Bourke St Melbourne ...Photograph of two world war one soldiers taken in Melbourne Jim Mc Intyre and Harold JenkinsBlack and white photo of two soldiers Front - Jim Mcintyre and Harold Jenkins Rear - Whitney Bros Electric Studios Melbourne Australia Beryl Kennyjim mcintyre, harold jenkins photograph -
Lakes Entrance Historical Society
Postcard - Wills, Whitney Bros Electric Studios, 1920
... Whitney Bros Electric Studios... Melbourne Victoria Postcard Wills Whitney Bros Electric Studios ...Black and white postcard of four young women, Alice andd Jessie Wills and friends all wearing hats, posed in a structure resembling a motor boat at Luna Park Melbourne Victoriagenealogy, recreation -
Ithacan Historical Society
Photograph, Nick Kandiliotis, c1940s
... Whitney Bros. Electric Studios.... Electric Studios ...The man on the LHS of the photograph is Nikos Kandiliotis (Liarokapis), the other unknown. Nick and his brothers, Clementine, Jim (Dimitri) and Orpheus were some of the many young Ithacan men who migrated to Melbourne in the 1920s and 1930s. Their parents, Chrisostomi and Stathis, followed them after World War 2.A sepia mounted studio photograph in post card format of two smartly dressed young men. The mounting cardboard fawn and brown. -
Streatham and District Historical Society
Post Card, Jack Kerr Luna Park
... Back: In black ink stamped, Luna Park, St Kilda. Electric.... Electric Studio M. D. True, Manager. Photos Finished while you wait ...Luna Park in St Kilda has been a popular tourist destination thoughout the times and Jack Kerr and friend visited the theme Park during a visit to Melbourne at some stage. At this stage it appears that a photographer studio was in place at the park. It was common for people to get photos done of their adventures to show friends and relatives and for a photographic memory.Shows the popular destinations during the time. Demonstrates typical dress in the period.Rectangular, Black & white. Jack Kerr & friend sitting on a bench seat both wearing hats, suits and ties.Back: In black ink stamped, Luna Park, St Kilda. Electric Studio M. D. True, Manager. Photos Finished while you wait. Day or Night. Written inpancil the word Kerr. park, jack, photography, st, kilda, luna, kerr -
Hume City Civic Collection
Photograph, c1914
... / ELECTRIC STUDIOS / 118 BOURKE ST / Melbourne / AUSTRALIA written... in circle: Day or Night centre: Whiteney Bros / ELECTRIC STUDIOS ...A male identified as George Hayes in a WW1 uniform posed in front of an artificial bush settingA man identified as George Hayes, dressed in uniform, complete with leggings sitting on logs (made to look like a bush setting).on back:LHS in circle: Day or Night centre: Whiteney Bros / ELECTRIC STUDIOS / 118 BOURKE ST / Melbourne / AUSTRALIA written in pencil twice: George Hayes / 101 Stafford St /Victoria RHS in corner circle: FINISHED / while / you waitworld war 1, soldiers, armed forces, uniforms, men, clothing and dress, hayes, george, whitney brothers, photographers, george evans collection -
St Kilda Historical Society
Photograph, Whitney Bros Electric Post Card Studio, Luna Park, c. 1900s
... . Photo 18; Back: Whitney Bros, Electric Post Card Studio, Luna...Whitney Bros Electric Post Card Studio...; Back: Whitney Bros, Electric Post Card Studio, Luna Park, St ...Luna Park with crowd milling, aerial view from the entrance towers, St Kilda bay behind.black and white image on front of postcard, unmounted, good conditionFront: Luna Park From The Entrance Towers; Whitney Bros. Photo 18; Back: Whitney Bros, Electric Post Card Studio, Luna Park, St kilda. Melbourne, Australia. -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - ELMA WINSLADE WELLS COLLECTION: PHOTO OF DOROTHY NORTHOVER
... . On the back: from G. Brown & Son electric and daylight studio, Broad... studio, Broad St. (near pier), Deal. Electric light every evening ...A small black and white photograph of Dorothy Northover (Mrs. L. Williams) as a child. A relative of Elma Winslade Wells. She is standing on a chair wearing a light coloured dress. At the bottom G. Brown & Son, Broad St. Deal. On the back: from G. Brown & Son electric and daylight studio, Broad St. (near pier), Deal. Electric light every evening at dusk till 8pm. these portrait are equal in every respect to the best daylight work.person, individual, dorothy northover -
Ringwood and District Historical Society
Poster, Williams, T.R.G, Advertisement T.R.G. Williams Ringwood, Victoria - circa 1920
Used by T.R.G. (Thomas) Williams, Main Street Ringwood, to advertise his photographic and picture framing business. No date evident however advertisement includes comment that studio is "equipped with modern electric light" which arrived in Ringwood in 1915. Main Street address includes "Rear of P.S. Eva Hardware Store", however a 1928 photograph of the premises advertises T.R.G. Williams as Ironmonger. Thomas Williams served on Ringwood Council from 1939 to 1945, including period as Mayor from 1941 to 1943.Buff coloured cardboard with black printing advertising a photographer and picture framer. -
Kiewa Valley Historical Society
Photographs – SECV– Clover Power Station
The Junction Dam and Clover Dam Power Station, stages of the Kiewa Hydro-Electric Scheme, were needed to meet the increased power demands of the wartime industry in Victoria. Clover added 26 megawatts to the grid. Junction Dam was completed and ready to hold water by September 1943, but was emptied in December 1943 and not filled again until May 1944. Construction of Clover Power Station commenced in July 1941 and both turbines were in service by May 1945.Clover Power Station and Junction Dam were part of the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme constructed by the State Electricity Commission of Victoria.Set of 2 large black and white photographs of spiral casing for a turbine being transported to a power station on the Kiewa Scheme. Gentleman in lab coat standing inside casing in photograph 1 On the back – dark grey ink stamp “Photographed by / E.B. Studios / 309 George St., / Tel. SW 7373 Sydney” clover power station, secv -
Bendigo Military Museum
Postcard - POSTCARD PHOTOGRAPH, Whitney Bros Electric Studio, C.1940
... Whitney Bros Electric Studio.... Postcard POSTCARD PHOTOGRAPH Whitney Bros Electric Studio ...The photo is Douglas Niven Dean VX32652 2nd AIF, enlisted 15/7/1940, age 23 years, posted 7th Div A.A.S.Corp, served in siege of Tobruk, Middle East, New Guinea and Borneo, discharged on 7.12.1945. He was a member of the Bendigo Rats of Tobruk Association, served as secretary 1978 - 87 incl, Jnr V Pres 1992 - 95 and was a life Member of the Association.Postcard photo, portrait, B & W, shows a soldier in uniform, slouch hat, Rising sun collar badges, diamond shape colour patch showing on left arm, rear re post card has space for stamp, address and correspondence, faint makers stamp.On rear in blue ink, “Doug Dean”tobruk, 7th div, aasc, -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Document - ROYAL PRINCESS THEATRE COLLECTION: PROGRAM OF COMING EVENTS, 1916
Princess Theatre Bendigo - Program of coming events in c1917. Coming Events: Gonsalez, Italian Grand Opera Company, commencing Monday May 7, for 3 nights' season. The Brilliant and Incomparable Gonzalez, Italian Grand Opera Company. Opening Production_Verdi's Immortal Masterpiece Il Trovatore. Page 3. Monday, May 7, 1917. Il Trovatore. Opera in 4 acts. Music by G Verdi. Cast of Characters: Signorinas: De Revers, Russ, Capelli. Signors: Scamuzzi, Cacialli. Chorus of voices. Overture at 8pm sharp. Director of Orchestra: Giovanni Gonsalez. Leader of Orchestra: Mr S de Tarczynski. Cello Soloist: Mr Laurie Kennedy. Page 9 Farewell Night. Wednesday, May 9, 1917 Faust, Opera in 5 acts. Music by Gounod. Cast of Characters: Signors Balboni, Cacialli, Filippini, Cesaroni. Signorinas: Visoni, Russ, Piccolo. Overture at 7.45pm sharp. Director of Orchestra: Giovanni Gonsalez. Leader of Orchestra: Mr S de Tarczynski. Cello: Mr Laurie Kennedy. Cast members: Signors Balboni, Cacialli, Filippini and Cesaroni. Signorinas: Visoni, Russ and Piccolo. Director of Orchestra: Giovanni Gonzalez. Leader of Orchestra: Mr S de Tarczynski. Cello Soloist: Mr Laurie Kennedy. Page 11, Repertoire of Operas to be produced by the Gonsalez Opera Company to Wednesday, May 9. Monday, May 7, at 8pm. Cavalleia Rusticana, I Pagliacci. Wednesday, May 9 at 7.45pm. Faust. Between the acts. The story of 'Cavalleria Rusticana' is based on truth and reality alone. It is built up on the fact Turridu, a young peasant, has loved and wooed Lola before . . . . . . Of all the many successful productions in which Mme. Petrova, the celebrated Metro star, appeared, 'The Black Butterfly,' in which she appears in this Theatre, on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, next, is considered her greatest, In 'The Black Butterfly . . . The story of 'Rigoletto' is taken from Victor Hugo's drama 'Le roi S'amuse.' In it the Duke of Mantua a wild and unprincipled youth makes love to every . . . Programme Compiled. Wholly Set Up and Printed by The Cambridge Press, Phone 130. Market Sq., Bendigo. Many ads appear throughout the brochure: Allan's, 253 Mitchell Street Bendigo. Ph 244. W Brown, 171 Mitchell Street, 'Centerway' 105 View Street, Bendigo's Leading Pastrycook & Caterer. Hume & Iser: English and Canadian wallpapers. Timber Merchants & Iron Mongers, full range of stoves, Mantlepieces, grates, tiles, bath-heaters, bathroomware, Berger's Paints. Phones: Yard 48, Showroom 470. Cambridge Press: For artistic programmes, menus, concert tickets, At-Home Cards, and Commercial Printing. Ph 130. Delves' Café, Dainty Service. 'Class' Suppers at moderate Cost. Ph 805. Next to Royal Bank (above Hampton's). Bendigo Business College: Evening Commercial Classes, book-keeping, typewriting, shorthand. Applications to James E Holland, F.P.S.A. Pianoforte & Organ Tuning. A B Challen, Qualified Tuner Ph 319, 42 Rowan St., Bendigo. Chatfield Bros. The Motor Experts, High Street, Bendigo. Ph 609. Car repairs, New cars, hire cars, something for your car. Service Station for Ford car parts, Dunlop & Goodyear tyres. Accessories of all kinds stocked. Oxy Acetylene welding of all metals. Bartlett Bros. Photographers. Bartlett Bros' Studios, (R W Bugg, Proprietor) Williamson St, (opp Hotel Shamrock). Half & Half (Registered) Non-Alcoholic and Invigorating. Manufactured by C J Glover, Ph 343, Chapel Street, Bendigo. R D Ellis, Ladies & Gents Tailor, 241 Mitchell Street, (opposite Morley Johnson's). Nursery (Rose) at Epsom, Stock to be Sold at Half Usual Price. Mr S H Hunt, who has 33 prizes & championships, has accepted a position with Brunning's of Bendigo and has sold the of his 10,000 Roses to them. There are . . . Baker & Woods, 313 Hargreaves St, Ph 209. Electric light installed in your home. 'THE BEEHIVE' Bendigo's Famous Store. Blouses of Beauty, Coats of Comfort, Costumes of Character, Dresses of Delight, Skirts of Style, Millinery of Merit are Permantant Features of Bendigo's Famous Store 'The Beehive'. Best by Test, Leggos of Bendigo 'Progress' Tomato Sauce on the table, wether at home or in the restaurant, there should always be Leggos of Bendigo 'Progress' Tomato Sauce. It's the kind of Sauce you enjoy to the last-no bitting acidity-but a Delicious and Delicate Flavor combined with a Smoothness always agreeable to the palate,. Leggo's 'Progress' Sauce is the result of the . . . H M Leggo& Co Manufacturers, Bendigo. Est. 1881.The Cambridge Press, Market Sq. Bendigo Ph 130program, theatre, princess theatre bendigo -
Bendigo Historical Society Inc.
Photograph - BILL ASHMAN COLLECTION: BARREL SHAPED SCALEBUOY
Black and white photo of a barrel shaped Scalebuoy Unit which is driven by a small electric motor. Large pipes enter and exit the barrel. Written on the back: Installation at Mater Misericordiae Hospital Auckland, N.Z.sciences, instruments - general, scalebuoy, bill ashman collection - correspondence, chelsea studio auckland, mater misericordiae hospital auckland -
El Dorado Museum Association Inc.
Photograph (item) - Digital Image
Cocks Pioneer Mine El Dorado, Power Station No. 2 was established in 1914 and located near junction of Reid's and Clear Creeks, Byawatha. Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold & Tin Mine Company was formed in 1899. The company's first power station, located at the eastern end of the valley began operating with its 340 Kilowatt steam-powered generator. By 1909, from 2,500,000 cubic yards worked, reported recovery was 17,284 ounces of gold and 224 tons of tin ore. By 1909, Cocks Pioneer’s power plant had become inadequate and uneconomical. The barge was floated downstream about a mile, but lost time caused the operations to cease. Following testing, a new mine was established by diverting Reid's Creek at a cost of £25,000. Settling dams were built, one of which held 1,935,900 cubic feet. Sold earth banks, built against a wall of stringy bark saplings constructed and laced with vertical props, were built. In 1914, the company was reformed as Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL, another power station was constructed at the western end of the township, near the junction of Clear and Reid's Creeks. From 6,800,000 cubic yards of material processed, the returns were 64,397 ounces of gold and 855 ton of tin. Cocks Pioneer mine then moved the barge downs stream and continued sluicing. In 1929 Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold and Tin Mining Company ceased operations due to a drop in values. Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL carried on large-scale hydraulic sluicing operations until 1941. Handwritten on front: 'THE POWER STN COCKS, PIONEER MINE, ELDORADO' / 'THELMA STUDIO / [underlined] WANGARATTA'mining, gold, tin, cocks pioneer, power, sluicing, el dorado, eldorado, byawatha, thelma studios, wangaratta, gold mining, tin mining, reid's creek, clear creek -
El Dorado Museum Association Inc.
Photograph (item) - Digital Image
Men at Work on the Tail Race, Cocks Pioneer Mine, El Dorado. Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold & Tin Mine Company was formed in 1899. The company's first power station, located at the eastern end of the valley began operating with its 340 Kilowatt steam-powered generator. By 1909, from 2,500,000 cubic yards worked, reported recovery was 17,284 ounces of gold and 224 tons of tin ore. By 1909, Cocks Pioneer’s power plant had become inadequate and uneconomical. The barge was floated downstream about a mile, but lost time caused the operations to cease. Following testing, a new mine was established by diverting Reid's Creek at a cost of £25,000. Settling dams were built, one of which held 1,935,900 cubic feet. Sold earth banks, built against a wall of stringy bark saplings constructed and laced with vertical props, were built. In 1914, the company was reformed as Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL, another power station was constructed at the western end of the township, near the junction of Clear and Reid's Creeks. From 6,800,000 cubic yards of material processed, the returns were 64,397 ounces of gold and 855 ton of tin. Cocks Pioneer mine then moved the barge downs stream and continued sluicing. In 1929 Cocks Pioneer Electric Gold and Tin Mining Company ceased operations due to a drop in values. Cock’s Pioneer Gold and Tin Mines NL carried on large-scale hydraulic sluicing operations until 1941. Handwritten across the front: 'Cocks Pioneer Mine Eldorado MEN AT WORK ON THE TAIL RACE' / 'THELMA STUDIO / [underlined] WANGARATTA.mining, gold, tin, gold mining, tin mining, cocks pioneer, men, thelma studios, wangaratta, el dorado, eldorado -
Robin Boyd Foundation
Slide, Robin Boyd, 1970
Robin Boyd was appointed Exhibits Architect for the Australian Pavilion at Expo ‘70 in Osaka and travelled to Osaka several times in 1969-1970. Boyd designed the innovative Space Tube, which had over 25 exhibition boxes, projecting from it. Amongst the topics covered were Australian scientific innovation (including brain research, immunology, Antarctic research, Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Power Scheme, rainmaking, and the night sky), Australian sport, house interiors, car manufacturing, Australian music and art, and Japanese-Australian relations.Colour slide in a mount. Italian Pavilion, Expo 70, Osaka, Japan (Architect: Studio Valle)Made in Australia / 34 / MAY 70M3 / 26 (Handwritten)expo 70, osaka, robin boyd, slide -
National Wool Museum
Photograph, Cooper 2-stand self contained shearing plant
Photograph of Cooper shearing plant.Photograph of Coooper shearing plant.Cooper 2-stand self contained shearing plant powered by 1 H.P. electric grinder motor circa 1948 Athol Shmith Studio Illustrative Photography 125 Collins Street Melbourne C.I. Cent. 27 No. ..... Position ....... 2/F/18512shearing machinery, cooper engineering company pty ltd -
National Wool Museum
Photograph, Commercial display - full range Sunbeam shearing gear
Photograph of Sunbeam shearing machinery at a commercial display.Photograph of Sunbeam shearing machinery at a commercial display.Commercial display - full range Sunbeam shearing gear electric vertical & horizontal heavy duty models farm models for small flock owners Shearpower overhead shearing gear single and double ended electirc and belt driven grinders circa 1956 Ingerson-Arnold Studios Limited 84-88 Franklin St., Adleaide telephones LA 2848 LA 5867 To reorder quote No ....... AB 4569shearing machinery, ingerson-arnold studios ltd -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Photograph - Black and White photograph/s - mounted, Hornly's Ballarat, 24/01/1926 12:00:00 AM
Block mounted photograph of the ESCo Employees Tramway Picnic 24.1.1926. Photograph is of the workers and families standing in front of seven buses or trucks, possibly at Moorabool Reservoir. On the left hand side is a truck with a ladder on the side, sign written to show it belongs to the Electric Supply Co. of Victoria. The black and white photograph has been mounted on to a heavy cardboard grey coloured with dark grey bands around the photograph and the edge of the mounting. The bottom right hand corner has been indented with the studio's name "Hornly's Studio Ballarat".trams, tramways, esco, hornly's, picnics, employees -
Ballarat Tramway Museum
Programme, City of Ballarat and Creative Brand Studio, "Ballarat Heritage Weekend", May. 2010
Fifty two page programme book titled ""Ballarat Heritage Weekend" for Mother's Day Weekend 9 - 9 May 2010. Outlines events that were planned to be undertaken during the weekend, exhibitions, events, gardens museums and activities, including guided tours and maps with photographs of the various locations. The BTM provided a free tram service using the horse tram and one electric tram. Horse Tram rides listed under activities page 33 and 35 and the BTM listed under Museums page 43.trams, tramways, city of ballarat, heritage, horse tram, btm -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Stuart Tompkins Studio, Electricity Supply Poles, Warrigal Road, Ashwood, 1965
Research provided by Stuart Tompkins Studio, Box Hill, into alternatives for median strip street lighting to be used in Burke Road, Kew. The photographers identified variants in different suburbs appropriate to Kew's needs.The series from which the photograph is drawn provides a snapshot by a commercial photographic studio of each named vicinity in 1965 as well as providing examples of public works infrastructure being commissioned by local government in the 1960s. The photos originally formed part of the Engineering Department's files in the City of Kew before being donated to the kew Historical Society.Electricity Supply Poles, Warrigal Road, Ashwood, 1965. Stuart Tompkins Studio provided this photograph for the Kew City Council. The photograph, taken at the intersection of Warrigal Road and High Street South, Ashwood looks north along High Street Road. The intent of the photograph was to provide the Council with models of electricity supply poles. In the photo, wooden and steel poles can be seen in the median strip. The photograph also includes the shops bordering High Street Road during this period. [There are three copies of this photograph in the Collection.]. Typed inscription on reverse: "Electricity Supply Poles. Photographed for Kew City Council 8/2/65. No.4 Warrigal Road - Ashwood. South of High Street Road looking north. Wooden and steel poles with different brackets in median strip." Studio stamp: "Stuart Tompkins Studio. 547 Station Street, Box Hill. WX1439."electric light poles, public works -- 1960s, civic infrastructure -- 1960s -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Stuart Tompkins Studio, Electricity Supply Poles, Warrigal Road, Ashwood, 1965
Research provided by Stuart Tompkins Studio, Box Hill, into alternatives for median strip street lighting to be used in Burke Road, Kew. The photographers identified variants in different suburbs appropriate to Kew's needs.The series from which the photograph is drawn provides a snapshot by a commercial photographic studio of each named vicinity in 1965 as well as providing examples of public works infrastructure being commissioned by local government in the 1960s. The photos originally formed part of the Engineering Department's files in the City of Kew before being donated to the kew Historical Society.Electricity Supply Poles, Warrigal Road, Ashwood, 1965. Stuart Tompkins Studio provided this photograph for the Kew City Council. The photograph, taken at the intersection of Warrigal Road and High Street South, Ashwood looks north along High Street Road. The intent of the photograph was to provide the Council with models of electricity supply poles. In the photo, wooden and steel poles can be seen in the median strip. The photograph also includes the shops bordering High Street Road during this period. [There are three copies of this photograph in the Collection.]. Typed inscription on reverse: "Electricity Supply Poles. Photographed for Kew City Council 8/2/65. No.4 Warrigal Road - Ashwood. South of High Street Road looking north. Wooden and steel poles with different brackets in median strip." Studio stamp: "Stuart Tompkins Studio. 547 Station Street, Box Hill. WX1439."electric light poles, civic infrastructure - 1960s, public works -- 1960s -
Kew Historical Society Inc
Photograph, Stuart Tompkins Studio, Electricity Supply Poles, Warrigal Road, Ashwood, 1965
Research provided by Stuart Tompkins Studio, Box Hill, into alternatives for median strip street lighting to be used in Burke Road, Kew. The photographers identified variants in different suburbs appropriate to Kew's needs.The series from which the photograph is drawn provides a snapshot by a commercial photographic studio of each named vicinity in 1965 as well as providing examples of public works infrastructure being commissioned by local government in the 1960s. The photos originally formed part of the Engineering Department's files in the City of Kew before being donated to the kew Historical Society.Electricity Supply Poles, Warrigal Road, Ashwood, 1965. Stuart Tompkins Studio provided this photograph for the Kew City Council. The photograph, taken at the intersection of Warrigal Road and High Street South, Ashwood looks north along High Street Road. The intent of the photograph was to provide the Council with models of electricity supply poles. In the photo, wooden and steel poles can be seen in the median strip. The photograph also includes the shops bordering High Street Road during this period. [There are three copies of this photograph in the Collection.]. Typed inscription on reverse: "Electricity Supply Poles. Photographed for Kew City Council 8/2/65. No.4 Warrigal Road - Ashwood. South of High Street Road looking north. Wooden and steel poles with different brackets in median strip." Studio stamp: "Stuart Tompkins Studio. 547 Station Street, Box Hill. WX1439."electric light poles, public infrastructure -- 1960s, civic works -- 1960s -
Melbourne Tram Museum
Photograph - Cable tram engine house interior, Darge Photos, c1920
Photograph by Darge Photo studios with a Collins Street address and telephone number, shows the interior of an unknown Melbourne cable tram engine house or winding house. Shows the drive mechanisms, tension adjustment, steam engine and possibly an auxiliary electric drive.Yields information about the interior engineering arrangements of a winding house.Block mounted black and white photograph onto dark grey card, stamped with studio name in gold.tramways, william st, cable trams, interior, engine house, winding house -
Flagstaff Hill Maritime Museum and Village
Decorative object - Peacock, Minton Majolica life-size model, Paul Comolera, artist, Designed: c. 1873; Made: c. 1875
This majestic peacock embodies the technical achievement, skill and ingenuity of artisans during the 19th century. It is now known as the 'Loch Ard Peacock' and was designed and modelled in 1873 by Paul Comolera (1818-1897) and fired in one piece at the Minton factory at Stoke-on-Trent in the United Kingdom in 1875. The peacock has been portrayed in symbolic motifs and has figured heavily in folktales and fables since antiquity, and many cultures around the world see it as a symbol of beauty, rebirth and power. Wealthy Victorians loved majolica, and the large peacock would have been the ultimate home accessory as a conservatory ornament – combining their desire for nature, the exotic and vibrant colours. The peacock model was listed in catalogues by Minton & Co. for a retail price of 35 guineas or sold as a pair for 90 guineas. Minton & Co. was founded in 1793 by Thomas Minton (1765–1836) and became a famous pottery and porcelain manufacturer. Comolera was a French artist and sculptor, renowned for dramatic naturalistic forms and life-size renditions of birds and animals that won him admiration in public and artistic circles. He was employed by Minton & Co. from 1873 to 1880, and the life-sized peacock became his best-known work. Comolera kept a live peacock loaned from the nearby Duke of Sutherland's Trentham Hall Estate in his studio to create a life-size model of fine buff earthenware model, which was then hand painted in brilliantly coloured green and blue glazes to mimic the peafowl’s dazzling plumage. There are no surviving production records, but according to documents in the Minton Archive, nine peacocks were made by Comolera. However, today, some historians now believe that twelve were fired at the Minton factory; research is ongoing. These peacocks were so admired that Minton & Co. used them as exhibition showpieces at International Exhibitions in London, Paris, and the United States of America, ensuring the company had a worldwide reputation. So, when Melbourne hosted an International Exposition in 1880, Minton & Co. sent out ceramics and tiles, and in particular, this peacock was intended to be part of their exhibit in the British Court in the Exhibition Building, built in the Carlton Gardens. The early dispatch date (1878) indicates that the company may have intended to exhibit their wares, including the peacock, at the 1879 Sydney International Exhibition, but the company did not take up this option. The ship that Minton & Co. used to bring the peacock and their other wares to the Australian colonies was the ill-fated Loch Ard, which sunk after striking Mutton Bird Island near Port Campbell, Victoria, in calm foggy weather in June 1878 on the final leg of the ship's journey to Melbourne. The loss of 52 lives made it one of Victoria’s worst shipwrecks. Therefore, this peacock never made it to the grand exposition in Melbourne, as Minton & Co. had planned. Charles McGillivray dragged this peacock, still in its original packing case, onto the beach in the gorge just two days after the Loch Ard went down. The peacock was rescued unscathed apart from a chip on its beak (only repaired in 1988). After a disagreement with a Melbourne Customs Officer, Joseph Daish, McGillivray stopped his salvage operations, leaving the peacock on the beach. The second salvagers were James Miller and Thomas Keys. Miller was a member of the firm Howarth, Miller and Matthews, Geelong, who had brought the salvage rights to the Loch Ard wreck on 10 June. When Miller and Keys arrived at the wreck site, a storm had washed many of the salvaged goods, including this peacoc,k back into the sea. The two men found the peacock in its case ‘bobbing along in the water’ and pulled it back to the beach. To ensure the peacock wasn't washed out to sea again, Miller and Keys hauled the packing case containing the peacock up the gorge's cliff face to the top, ready to be transported. In an interview in 1928, Keys claimed that at the time of the rescue, the head had broken from the body. This account was proven to be true in 1988, following the birds' display in Brisbane. This peacock began its life in Australia, not in the grandeur of an International Exhibition as intended, but in the hallway of a simple domestic house in Geelong. It appears Minton & Co. did not attempt to buy this peacock back. Florence Miller, daughter of James Miller (Loch Ard salvage rights holder), later remarked that the only item of real value rescued from the wreck had been the peacock and that this had been kept by her father in the family home at Malvern for many years and became a treasured family possession. As such, this 'Loch Ard peacock' was almost forgotten and mistaken with other Minton peacocks around the world. Miss Florence Miller tried to sell the peacock due to financial difficulties in the 1930s but was unsuccessful. While attempting to sell her Loch Ard relic, it was displayed in the window of the old Argus newspaper office, which was at 76 Collins Street, Melbourne; the Argus had relocated to the corner of Elizabeth and La Trobe Streets in 1926. Between 1935 and 1939, the old Argus building was occupied by the Joshua N. McClelland Print Room, which sold not only paintings and prints but also antiques and authentic replicas, as well as hosting exhibitions. Miss Florence Miller loaned her peacock for display at the Victorian Historical Exhibition held in the National Gallery on 1st June 1935, the 57th anniversary of the Loch Ard wreck. As a result, the peacock attracted public attention in books, newspapers and magazine articles that told the story of its survival from a shipwreck. Miss Florence Miller was keen to sell the peacock, even writing overseas to Captain Blain on November 30th, 1938, about the possibility of a sale, but this became no longer possible due to the outbreak of war. Recent information points to the Loch Ard peacock being owned by John S R Heath before its sale to Frank Ridley-Lee in May 1941. Research is ongoing, but it seems likely that John Samuel Robert Heath, a leading Melbourne dentist with a practice in Collins Street, and his wife, a dental mechanic, had purchased Miss Miller’s Loch Ard peacock before its sale in 1941. They were lovers of fine arts, music, wine and food. The peacock in the window of the old Argus building could have attracted their attention as they had already purchased the old stone Presbyterian Church on Warrigal Road, Oakleigh, in 1933 and had converted its interior. The home, renamed The Studio, even included Melbourne’s first all-electric kitchen. The peacock was perfect for display in the Studio’s entrance. A magazine article published after the conversion was completed included photographs of the interior. The picture of the ‘portico’ had a caption below that stated, “Some of her [Mrs Heath’s] finest pottery was salvaged from the Loch Ard Wreck”. In 2025, Heath’s two remaining sons remember running around in the entrance with the peacock standing there, oblivious to its value. Heath was an accomplished artist, studying under Max Meldrum. He painted and exhibited his works at The Studio and in a public exhibition, and he was a finalist eight times in the coveted Archibald Prize portrait competition, including the submission of his self-portrait that is now part of his grandson’s collection. The next owner of the Loch Ard Peacock was Frank Ridley-Lee. He displayed it at his home in Ivanhoe after buying it at an auction in May 1941. The peacock remained in the hands of the Ridley-Lee family until it was offered for sale by auction in 1975 as part of an art collection belonging to Mrs Ridley-Lee's estate. The peacock was not sold at this time, as the reserve price of $4500 was not met. This news was passed on to the board of the newly created Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village. Urgent efforts were made to collect the necessary money through fundraising by the Warrnambool City Council and public donations. The Fletcher Jones Company and the Victorian Government contributed half the cost. On 9 September 1975, the Loch Ard peacock was purchased by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, and it found a new home at the maritime museum. Since then, it has only left Warrnambool twice. Firstly, in 1980, at the centenary celebrations of the Royal Exhibition Building in Melbourne, and secondly, in 1988, the peacock was given pride of place at the entrance to the Victorian Pavilion at the Brisbane World Expo, acknowledging that this Minton Majolica peacock is the most significant shipwreck object in Australia. The Minton majolica peacock is considered of historical social and aesthetic significance to Victoria and is one of only a few 'objects' registered on the Victorian Heritage Register (H 2132), as it is a most notable and rare object associated with the Minton factory of the 1870s and works by the celebrated sculptor Paul Comolera along with the wreck of the Loch Ard on the Victorian coastline. This Minton peacock is historically significant for its rarity; it was one of only 9-12 known to exist. The shipwreck of the Loch Ard is also of significance for Victoria and is registered on the Victorian Heritage Register Ref (S 417). Flagstaff Hill has a varied collection of artefacts from Loch Ard and its collection is significant for being one of the largest accumulation of artefacts from this notable Victorian shipwreck. The collections object is to also give us a snapshot into history so we can interpret the story of this tragic event. The collection is also archaeologically significant as it represents aspects of Victoria's shipping history that allows us to interpret Victoria's early social and historical themes. The collection is historically significant is that it is associated, unfortunately with the worst and best-known shipwreck in Victoria's history. The peacock, resplendent in polychrome glaze, stands perched on a rocky plinth decorated with vines, leaves, flowers, blackberries and wild mushrooms. The peacock’s breast is cobalt blue; the wings and legs are in naturalistic colours. The tail is a mass of feathers coloured in green, ochre blue and brown — a fantastic display of artistry and Minton expertise. Inscribed at the base :P Comolera, and a Minton & Co. design number: 2045.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, loch ard, loch ard gorge, peacock, paul comolera, victorian heritage register, minton peacock, minton & co., stoke upon trent, bird figures, mintons, ceramics, international expositions, majolica, naturalistic, staffordshire, john samuel robert heath