Historical information

"P. & O. Cowper" does not appear in internet research as a known publishing company; it is possible either that none of their work has made its way online, or that they were locals publishing on a small scale capacity. If the latter is true, "P. Cowper" could have been Mr. P. Cowper who participated in forming the Emerald Co-operative Society in 1945.

The Emerald Church of Christ operated from 1913 until 1964 on the site (and building) now part of Fernlea Community House. The old post office was on that location from the 1910s until after the Church stopped operating, although by the 1960s there were telephone booths in front of the post office. This image could date from 1913 until the 1950s, although it is likely toward the later end of that range in the 1940s or 50s. This copy was produced in 2006 from the original.

Significance

This photograph captures two long-standing Emerald institutions from the first half of the 20th century, one of which is no longer in operation and the other which has moved and had its place replaced with an unrecognisable new structure.

Physical description

This black and white photograph is printed on glossy modern photo paper. Its lower margin is occupied by printed text explaining the publisher and the subject matter. The photograph itself centres on two buildings, each constructed from wooden planks with sloped, likely tin rooves. A power pole stands to the right in front of the rightmost building. The ege of a road is visible in the foreground, indicating that this picture was taken from on or across the road. The reverse has printed technical information about the photograph, typical of a digital printed photograph.

Inscriptions & markings

Obverse:
Left, Typed: "Published by P. & O. COWPER"
Centre, Typed: "CHURCH OF CHRIST AND P.O. EMERALD"
Sign in Image, Left: "[obscured] CHRIST"
Reverse:
"10 27 PCEMER~4.JPG 6 16.12.06 18.12.06"