Historical information

These photographs are copies of original paintings by the Australian marine artist A V Gregory (1867-1957), also known as Arthur Victor Gregory. Gregory lived and worked in South Melbourne. He took over the Gregory Studio owned by his father, George Frederick Gregory, painting actively between 1899 and 1932. He usually signed his works as ‘A V Gregory’. Some of his original works have been sold for thousands of dollars.

These mounted photographs, by A.V. Gregory, show both steam and sailing ships sailing in the Tea Race from China to London in 1872. The information included with the photographs has the following text:

“Tea Clippers “
Well done Cutty Sark, by Bobbie Burns
The CUTTY SARK and THERMOPYLAE. The start of the 1872 Tea Race from China to London. The “Cutty Sark” first away, followed closely by the “Thermopylae”, finally parting after several days’ company. On this race the “Cutty Sark” lost her rudder in the Indian Ocean, putting her hopelessly out of the race, and enabling the “Thermopylae” to pass her and reach London on 11th October, 115 days out, the “Cutty Sark” limping home seven days later. The credit of the race was given to the “Cutty Sark” by the shipping world.
Copies of the pictures may be had from A.V. Gregory, 326 Albert Road, South Melbourne."

Significance

The detailed images of the vessels depicted in this photographs shows some of the many sail and steam vessels painted by the renowned Victorian marine artist A V Gregory, whose original works are highly valued today by marine collectors.
The pictures and document are significant for their association with the Tea Clippers, famous for racing across the world to arrive in Australia with the fastest time.

Physical description

Photographs of paintings of sail and steamships, three photographs mounted together side by side, titled "Australian Rivals - Past and Present". The centre shows the sailing ships Thermopylae and Cutty Sark. It is flanked on each side by a photograph of a steamship. The document with the photographs gives the history of the famous Tea Race from China to London in 1872.

Inscriptions & markings

Title: "Australian Rivals - Past and Present".
Handwritten on Left photograph "A.V. GREGORY - SS KATOOMBA"
Handwritten on Centre photograph; "THERMOPLAE - A.V. GREGORY - CUTTY SARK - FIRST AWAY"
Handwritten on Right photograph; "CANBERRA - A/V/ GREGORY"
Handwritten on accompanying card is the story of the Tea Clippers.