commonwealth

With the motor vehicles and the Foden steam lorry, and the building of the CBA building (opened in 1916), this must be later than most of the Kerry collection, c.1915.

Fairly short shadows at 12:55pm - summer.

Moore Street! Moore street originally existed as little more than a laneway (like Bond Street) between Pitt and Castlereagh Streets and is still such a laneway on 1896 map; 1903 map shows it widened to match section between George and Pitt. This picture taken from Castlereagh Street before the final extension, completed in 1935; CBA building commenced 1913; completed 1916, so the photos is definitely c.1915, not 1900. Moore Street was renamed Martin Place in 1921.

best shot

The Federation of the Commonwealth of Australia celebrations held in Sydney during 1901 saw many arches erected through the city and down Oxford Street. This is the German arch, and it was erected in Park Street. Hyde Park can be seen to the left and right of shot. The two disc shaped bas-reliefs on the columns show at left "Germania" and at right "Australia". (location ref. City of Sydney archvies - www2.photosau.com/CosSQL/scripts/ExtSearch.asp?SearchTerm... ) The central slogan which is only visible through at the persistant URL is 'EINIGKEIT-MACHT-STARK". Literally, "Agreement makes strong."

Now that we know another arch, the 'Commonwealth Arch" (shown here: www.flickr.com/photos/powerhouse_museum/3129855980/ ) was on the corner of Elizabeth Street and Park Street, and that the Commonwealth Arch arch is visible in the background of this photograph then we can say that the view shown in this photograph is looking west along Park Street.

The reverse view of this arch, with a different main slogan in English can be seen here: www.flickr.com/photos/old_parliament_house/3230766690/in/...

From the Imperial War Museum site:


"THE ROYAL FLYING CORPS ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1918

part of "MINISTRY OF INFORMATION FIRST WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION" (photographs)

Made by: McLellan, David (Second Lieutenant) (Photographer)

1918-05-02

RAF Caquot kite balloon about to ascend, the basket is just leaving the ground. Air mechanics are holding the ropes and the motor winch can be seen beyond. Photograph taken in Gosnay, 2 May 1918."

THE ROYAL FLYING CORPS ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1918© IWM (Q 12029)

earlier shot from same event:

THE ROYAL FLYING CORPS ON THE WESTERN FRONT, 1914-1918© IWM (Q 12031)

More shots of balloon operations at Gosnay, France on May 2, 1918 by Lt. David McLellan:
www.iwm.org.uk/collections/search?query=mclellan%2C+gosna...

It looks like some sort of bizarre celebration of an internal organ... or a not so internal one.

Wow thats a cool image.