hydepark

Recent view: by Merryjack:

Built late 1882, one of an non-matching pair - " The Frazer Memorial Fountain in Hyde Park is one of two erected in Sydney, the other being on Prince Albert Road (See Inventory sheet 2424003). Both were designed by Thomas Saapsford[sic] and sculpted by Lawrence Beveridge. The second was erected in 1884 at the outer perimeter of the Domain on St Mary's Road. Both were dontaed[sic] by wealthy Sydney businessman John Frazer, MLC. (see also record M013). The Hyde Park fountain was originally installed at the Oxford Street corner of Hyde Park in 1881[sic - was 1882]. It was one of numerous public drinking fountains installed in public thoroughfares and parks during the early 1880s when the city's piped water supply was unreliable and largely restricted to the wealthy. For philanthropists, the masonry of the fountains also afforded a publicly visible space on which their name and good works could be recorded for posterity. The foutain[sic] featured Pyrmont sandstone, and a basin of gray granite from Scotland with dolphin taps and drinking cups of finely modelled engraved bronze. The fountain was moved twice in the first half of the twentieth century. The first, in 1917 was to make way for the Emden Gun. It moved near the Pool of Reflection. The second move in 1934 was caused by remodelling of Hyde Park South. It was transferred to its present position. Later in 1934 the taps and drinking cups were changed with a bubble fountain in keeping with changing attitudes towards health and hygiene." from an article in dire need of an editor! - www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/ViewHeritageItemDe... The fountain looks newish and unstained in this photo. I am wondering if it was taken c.1882 ? The terraces behind are in College Street, I think, but they do not seem to match Burdekins Terrace - gutenberg.net.au/ebooks06/0600151h-images/p70a.jpg

The later 1884 Frazer Fountain near St Mary's Cathedral - more classical style than the gothic one above -

www.flickr.com/photos/beachcomberaustralia/ [NB an article in dire need of an editor - well it's from the Environment Dept!! ] The Frazer Mausoleum at Rookwood (see comments) :

Andy Brill It would be fascinating to have a squizz inside - but spooky!

Yikes! It seems the photographer was at the top of the spire of St James King Street. Brave! Google Maps satellite 3D - www.google.com.au/maps/@-33.8691532,151.2109526,60a,35y,1...

Fascinating to compare with this different photo ("c. 1871") from the same steeple - collection.hht.net.au/firsthhtpictures/fullRecordPicture.... from an album (1872) - collection.hht.net.au/firsthhtpictures/fullRecord.jsp?rec...

Another poor print off the same negative … collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/1bGdJdPY Same day, different time (the sun's come out) … collection.sl.nsw.gov.au/record/1l4d5LK1/KdEpQGQ3NDzxa Dated circa 1871-1872 But, other than a few hansom cabs, not a person or other vehicle in sight!

Philip Cohen That's great! A panorama in 3D - I wonder if is possible to join them all together in virtual 3D. The HHT photos are earlier - see the 'new' GPO at foundation stage here - library.sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/images_linked/recno368... - and nearing completion in the stereoview pano - files02.sl.nsw.gov.au/fotoweb/public_archive/1063/1063711... I can't find anything (yet) in Trove about photographers climbing up St James' steeple with their trusty tripods ...

" ... In April 1871, Henry Lucas, who Merlin had employed a month before, was charged with embezzlement. Employed to canvas for orders on a 10% commission he said he was given: ‘a set of ten pictures of Sydney, taken from the tower of St. James’s Church, and witness delivered him a set; defendant made out a bill to Mr. Cowlshaw for the pictures, £4, and witness receipted the bill for Mr. Merlin; the defendant should have brought either the money or the pictures and the bill, but witness did not see him again until now; the pictures were the property of Mr. Merlin.’65 " From - geoffbarker.wordpress.com/2018/11/25/beaufoy-merlin-showm... Which implies that there was a set of 10 photos taken from St James before April 1871, for the American and Australasian Photographic Company.

From all the ghosts, and a relatively long exposure on a sunny day, I would say early 1890s. ?

View in "c. 1884-1917": View in 2008:

BobMeade Thanks for the interesting comparison photos. The Kerry one looks very similar except for the electric light post (1912+) on the corner. And the trees are larger. And the gas lamps have gone.

beachcomber australia You've got a good eye lining the angles up with your 'now' photos. More mashups...? AB

Museums of History NSW - State Archives Collection Not me! It was BobMeade