Historical information

Nicholas Caire was born on Guernsey in the Channel Islands in 1837. He arrived in Adelaide with his parents in about 1860. In 1867, following photographic journeys in Gippsland, he opened a studio in Adelaide. From 1870 to 1876 he lived and worked in Talbot in Central Victoria. In 1876 he purchased T. F. Chuck's studios in the Royal Arcade Melbourne. In 1885, following the introduction of dry plate photography, he began a series of landscape series, which were commercially successful. As a photographer, he travelled extensively through Victoria, photographing places few of his contemporaries had previously seen. He died in 1918.
Reference: Jack Cato, 'Caire, Nicholas John (1837–1918)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University

Significance

An original, rare photograph from the series 'Views of Victoria: General Series' by the photographer, Nicholas Caire (1837-1918). The series of 60 photographs that comprise the series was issued c. 1876 and reinforced a neo-Romantic view of the Australian landscape to which a growing nationalist movement would respond. Nicholas Caire was active as a photographer in Australia from 1858 until his death in 1918. His vision of the Australian bush and pioneer life had a counterpart in the works of Henry Lawson and other nationalist poets, authors and painters.

Physical description

Albumen silver photograph mounted on board.
[Note: This is the first of two copies of this photograph in the collection]

Inscriptions & markings

printed in ink on support l.c.: VIEW OF THE TOWNSHIP OF FERNSHAWE. / COPYRIGHT REGISTERED.
printed in ink on support reverse c.: VIEWS OF VICTORIA. / (GENERAL SERIES.) / No. 14. / VIEW OF THE TOWNSHIP OF FERNSHAWE. / Fernshawe may be considered the most romantic town in the Colony of Victoria. It is situated at the foot of / the Black Spur, and is surrounded by a great many high hills, such as Mounts Riddell, Juliet, Munday, and others, / which form the crossing range into Gipps Land. It has, no doubt, derived its name from the fact that it is the / greatest Fern-growing district in the Colony.
printed in ink on support reverse l.c.l.: J.W. FORBES, Agent,
printed in ink on support reverse l.c.: ANGLO-AUSTRALASIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPANY, MELBOURNE.
printed in ink on support reverse l.c.r.: 10 Temple Court, Collins Street West.