Historical information

James Legg married Emerald Watson at Gembrook in 1885. The couple had at least 10 children. Ned Kelly (1854-1880) is the most well-known Australian bushranger who, after his death, became something of a celebrity in the national imagining. The San Francisco Instantenous 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.

Significance

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.

Physical description

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.

Inscriptions & markings

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'