francisgreenway

As one of Australia's leading museums, don't you feel some sort of responsibility in ensuring the map location is actually correct and that you should be sharing, at the least, your local knowledge? Why not say this is a view looking west of St James' Church designed by Francis Greenway for starters? Surely you should be doing a lot better than this or think again about what your priorities are. Don't you have an obligation through NSW taxpayer money to share your expertise (not deny it or hide it)?

Thanks for your response and the repositioning of the building on the map (it really is only worthwhile from a research point of view if these views are marked accurately on a map and not 'slightly out'). I understand that you are including whatever information is on the object (though I note not the dimensions of the glass plate negative itself). I also appreciate the objectives of the Commons project but question the low base you have chosen to start from. Why not tell us what you know about such photographic objects as an institution with immense expertise? This will encourage a deeper engagement with the material as a research tool in addition to any immediate aesthetic interest it may have. There is such potential for these images to tell us not only about Sydney but also their place in a national and international context when compared to similar images from the same time in different locations. It would also be really great to see these images available through Picture Australia - have you thought about sharing them that way as well? I appreciate that it's a balance and difficult with limited resources but can I ask you to keep striving to share your knowledge and expertise about objects as well as the objects themselves? Let us learn cleverly together and not just waste time reinventing wheels.

No sign of cable tram lines in this photo; therefore pre-1894. Similar subject by Kerry here: www.flickr.com/photos/powerhouse_museum/3022880907/ . @ velvetchainsaw - .

Charles Bayliss - www.nla.gov.au/apps/cdview?pi=nla.pic-an10697078-27

[http://www.flickr.com/photos/51979177@N02] Interesting stuff. From the flags, crowds, families, Sunday best clothing, and short shadows, I would guess this in another Centennial Anniversary Day photo from 26 January 1888. Interesting to compare with another Henry King photo taken in the winter (long shadows). Probably earlier because of that pepperpot tower. No sign of Hagon. -

Relevant map showing intersection of George Street [left], Cumberland Street [centre], and Lower Fort Street [right] - acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/_zoomify/2008/D00663/a1367463.html

Museums of History NSW - State Archives Collection Thanks for posting this. It is a wonderful forgotten corner of 'Old Sydney', obliterated for the Sydney Harbour Bridge southern approach. GoogleMapsStreetView - maps.google.com.au/maps?q=Sydney+NSW&hl=en&ll=-33...

pellethepoet The building called "Catholic Presbytery" on your map is of great interest. It is 'Cumberland Place' (not to be confused with the alleyway of the same name!) and best known as the home of Dr James Mitchell. Built by Francis Greenway in 1825; demolished c.1912. More info, photos and famous paintings of the property - collection.hht.net.au/firsthhtpictures/fullRecordPicture.... acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=430971# acms.sl.nsw.gov.au/item/itemDetailPaged.aspx?itemID=412822#

beachcomber australia Brilliant! David Scott Mitchell's (of Mitchell Library fame) childhood home. He lived there until 1871 when his mother died. More "Cumberland Place" images - www.photosau.com.au/cos/scripts/ExtSearch.asp?SearchTerm=... www.printsandprintmaking.gov.au/catalogues/work/51307/lio... And here's your virtual prize for being the first to tag The Stror 'At Coot! - aso.gov.au/titles/features/sentimental-bloke/clip2/

pellethepoet Luvvs it, I does! Thankee kindlee!

This photo would be well received in the group Australia Lighthouses.

Compare with - And

trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/111027035 - Evening News, 30th May, 1883...per this Evening News item, the lantern on the old lighthouse was then being dismantled...so I'd say this SLNSW pic was taken sometime prior to late May 1883... trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/64034631 - Illustrated Sydney News, 9th June, 1883...the illustration that appears here shows the old lighthouse without its lantern... Per the various newspaper reports, the building work on the new lighthouse was completed in April 1883 and the contractor handed the lighthouse over to the Government on 20th April, 1883...but the external work might have been completed before then, so it's difficult to guess at an earliest date...