Timber was the most important early industry in the Dandenongs, including at Emerald. It provided timber for infrastructure as well as for fuel for the rapidly growing city. Some mills were quite small as this one appears to be. The writer 'Emmy' is probably the daughter of James and Emerald (Watson) Legg who were married in Gembrook in 1885, as Emmy references the names of Legg siblings. This and other photographs and postcards came from the estate of David Moyle (1938-2015) who was a police officer in Emerald during late 1960s-early 1970s, and subsequently at Belgrave in the early 1980s. David Moyle was closely associated with the now defunct Sherbrooke Historical Association.This postcard is significant because of it is a reminder of the importance of the timber industry during early colonial settlement in the Dandenongs and because it references a local family. it is also part of a collection belonging to a community member who had a close association with a local historical society. There is a separate photo of Emmy's father, James Legg, in the collection.Postcard of a timber mill at Emerald early 20th century.On front: 'The Mill - Emerald' On back printed: 'POST CARD / Correspondence Address On back handwritten: 'Jim, Maudie, and Emerald / Wishing you all a Bright / and Happy New Year with / best love from your loving / Sister Emmie'david moyle, police, emerald, belgrave, timber mill

James Legg married Emerald Watson at Gembrook in 1885. The couple had at least 10 children. The San Francisco Instantaneous Photographic Company developed a new technique after 1870 which required exposures for only a fraction of a second. The Company would travel to advertised locations where they would take portrait photographs. This photograph is circa late nineteenth century. This and other postcards and photographs came from the estate of David Moyle (1938-2015) who was a police officer in Emerald during late 1960s-early 1970s, and subsequently at Belgrave in the early 1980s. David Moyle was closely associated with the now defunct Sherbrooke Historical Association.This postcard is significant because of its representation of a well-known local man and its evocation of a style of portraiture. It is also part of a collection belonging to a community member who had a close association with a local historical society.A style of photographic portraiture which became popular in Melbourne in the late 19th century, and which could be shared amongst family and friends. This one is sepia colored with rounded corners. The subject, James Legg, appears to be deliberately dressed as a working man and he is holding a long stick or tool and standing on leaves. Some background details are too faded to be able to be discerned accurately.On back printed: 'SAN FRANCISCO / INSTANTANEOUS / PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPANY' On back on the L side handwritten: 'Mr J Legg / alias / Ned Kelly' On back underneath the company information, handwritten: ' Pakenham / J. Legg'david moyle, police, san francisco instantaneous photographic company, gembrook, james legg, emerald

96 p.; 30 cmnon-fictionA photographic history of Emerald, Victoriaemerald (vic.), photographs, this is a reprint of emerald in focus : a photographic history published in 2006. this edition contains minor corrections and revisions for accuracy. contents table and index added. nobelius nursery emerald vic, joseph bosisto, tivoli homestead clematis vic, nightingale's nursery avonsleigh vic, sarah watson, george hunt, legg family, george davey, emerald state school, macclesfield cricket team, emerald rifle club, emerald cricket club, emerald football team, emerald basketball team, st mark's church emerald vic, st joseph church emerald vic, emerald museum, avonsleigh house, banool tearooms, berneray guest house, brookdale guest house, cascades guest house, fernlea guest house, la belle guest house, lumeah guest house, nottingham house, the chalet guest house, the grange guest house, woodlands guest house, mckenzie timber mill