cityscape

This was posted as Photo of the Day here - www.powerhousemuseum.com/imageservices/index.php/2010/11/... I think the confusing title should have been "Macquarie Street". That is where these warehouses were, fronting on to east Circular Quay. The recognizable buildings of the National School (National Trust now) and The Observatory (just built in 1858) help with triangulation. Looking west from Government House gardens (Tarpeian Way?) Luckily there is an interactive 1858 map of Sydney, which helps - www.nla.gov.au/apps/cdview?pi=nla.map-rm1272-sd&rgn=0...

Well! Nice! :-)

Empire Tuesday 16 August 1859, p. 1., 4th column -

UNDER THE DISTINGUISHED PATRONAGE OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL. MR. W. HETZER, 287, George-street, has much pleasure in announcing that he has just completed his STEREOSCOPIC ALBUM OF SYDNEY AND ENVIRONS. Mr. HETZER has made this publication for some time past the subject of careful study, and flatters himself that it will be found in every respect equal to the best English productions of a like nature. It will form a gratifying souvenir and an interesting and valuable present for friends at home. The ALBUM comprises a succession of views, presenting a correct and graphic illustration of the Site and Character of our Fine Metropolis, guiding the spectator from the entrance of the Harbour, along its picturesque shores, to the Quays and Principal Buildings, and making him acquinted with the Australian Bush, &c. The ALBUM contains 36 slides, and one additional one taken expressly for the subscriber, representing either a Likeness, Family Group, or any other subject, or, instead of this, six additional slides of his collection, whioh consists of about 80 different views. The price of subscription is £5 5s.

- trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/60403477 By the wording of the advertisement, it would seem Hetzer's first set of 36 Sydney stereoscopic views was issued in 1859 not 1858, as indicated on the Photo of the Day blog. beachcomber australia Note Degotardi a few entries above advertising himself, in German, as a printer of a German monthly magazine -

DEUTSCHE MONATSCHRIFT. - Soeben ist das IV. Heit erschienen; womit ein neuen Quartal beginnt. J. DEGOTARDI, Printer, 313, George-street, agent.

Ha! This is interesting. It is from the tall tower of Bernard Holterman's house, a favourite view for photographers. See background history and the famous 1875 Holtermann Panorama - nga.gov.au/Exhibition/PICTUREPARADISE/pdf/Holtermann.pdf There are many panoramas from here; it will be interesting to see if we can get a firm date for it. To start, the absence of the 1892 Hentsch's Bond (cnr Windmill and Kent St, Millers Point) suggests c.1890. Australian National Maritime Museum on The Commons Do you have any more adjoining photos for a possible panorama?

Interesting to compare with this later Charles Kerry photo from the same place, but slightly to the left. It just shows the Hensch's Bond at full Zoomit - from.ph/27618 PhM

The Hotel Australia (see note) is there, opened in July 1891. So this photo has to be 1891. Somebody cleverer than me could probably work out the month from the angle and length of the shadows!

www.flickr.com/photos/beachcomberaustralia/ What a fascinating man! Was just reading this blog on him over at SLNSW : Bernard Holterman

Ringing a bell ... CHA CHING ... Look out, it's P-a-n-o-r-a-m-a time!

For the images stitched together see also:

This PHM Collection Kerry pic looks to have been taken nearby...possibly higher... www.flickr.com/photos/powerhouse_museum/2697499038/in/pho...