letterreceiver

[Thanks State Records NSW] Between 1887 (James Barnet rebuild) and 1896 (Walter Liberty Vernon additions), see www.sydneyarchitecture.com/ROC/QUA05.htm . See also comments here - and

Note the streets paved with woodblocks. And no trams tracks. Should help us narrow the date further.

Trams were 1899; woodblocking first done in 1887 at Circular Quay - (SMH 16/8/1887, para 8) - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/28350536 . So no closer, except the woodblocks do look shiny and new (they mistakenly used the wrong unseasoned wood and the blocks rotted - letter from John Young in SMH 3/7/1894 - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/13958155 ) And the 'ghosts' imply a long exposure and earlier photographic techniques. I reckon this is a record of the newly completed Customs House and newly woodblocked Circular Quay in 1887. Or not?

beachcomber australia We can practically hear your brain ticking this one over! 1887-1896 is a great start and more than we had. AB

Whirr - buzz - tick - tock - bleep . . . . ! The 1887 date on the building is easier to see on this Henry King photo or the persistent URL at full zoom - from.ph/31441

Evening News, Monday 26 August 1889, p. 7. - "The Post master-General notified that it had been decided to erect a pillar-letter receiver at the corner of Homebush and Redmyre roads." - trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/108101295

Great piece of research there! Thanks.

RAHS Some old research on this image that touched on early Sydney letter-receivers might be of interest -

Poor beast is looking a bit, well, sheepish. (Not ovine, just sheepish.)