readingroom

See a year 2009 view of this scene here:http://lifeasdaddy.typepad.com/lifeasdaddy/2009/04/sydney-then-and-now-state-library-of-new-south-wales.html

Thanks, lifeasdaddy - you found the same place to take the photo!

The original photograph had sat in my favourites file for a long time. Firstly because of the beautiful symmetry, and secondly so I could one day take a comparison shot. Over the past two months I had sat in the reading room a few times, wondering if I would be able to get permission to ascend to a "staff only" platform that sits exactly opposite the clock in the photograph so I could take the comparison shot. Then one time I was passing behind the place from where my photograph was taken and discovered there is a locked door to the balcony I wanted to access, but that the door has paynes of glass. I took this pic through the glass, no special access required.

And here is an even earlier reading room: www.flickr.com/photos/statelibraryofnsw/3575553304/

Google LibraryView

A few suspects from 1911. There are fewer in 1901 claiming the NLI specifically, A roundup of 1901 suspects. Some more of them.

Libraryview I see that the notes in the catalogue wonder if that is Sean T. O'Kelly. Glad you're feeling better!

Congratulation for your beautiful Album.

Sharon Corbet That's always been the word on the street here at Library Towers! Would be great to prove/disprove that it's Seán T. O'Kelly, one way or the other...

Fascinating image. There's a fair bit of movement from some of the soldiers. Gives it a slightly ghostly feel.

Nick Stewart Some of them were definitely fidgety and must have driven the photographer mad. Do you mean the chap with the newspaper in the row of chairs on the right? He must have been flying through that paper, leaning forward and back...

Great photograph but there are a number of things about it that raise a question mark. Why have they all (bar 1) got their caps on indoors in a recreation room? I've worn uniforms for most of my life and one of the first things one does is take the darned cap off and especially in a room such as this. They are all, more or less, facing the camera which would indicate that it was posed and if so why did the silly beggars insist on moving so much? The likelihood that an Irish ampersand is used in a religious text in a British army rec room is remote to say the least. This was a rec room for other ranks i.e privates as there are no officers present and no signs of ranks on the sleeves of tunics as far as I can see. As regards "Golden SCA text" I expect that it was something like Services Christian Association? Very interesting indeed! Another thought struck me, why all the flowers? There must have been a generals inspection coming off for this level of adornment?

Swordscookie Definitely agree about the posing! Caps were on for the photographer without a doubt. I have another one from the Curragh tomorrow, and again all are wearing their caps... So do you think 16.7.16 is safe enough to assume as the date??

I think it is safe enough. The flowers are "cut-flowers" and are fresh as distinct from pot plants and they are plentiful so that means spring/summer at the least. July is probably right for that shot! The ampersand used up to recently in material relating to the Dept. of Posts and Telegraphs did have the 7 shape but it was distinctively lower that the other numbers.