According to Butterworth, photographer Fred Hardie was sent abroad by his company, the Scottish firm George Washington Wilson & Co., to South Africa and then onto Australia, to photograph the cities and townships of the colonies. In Australia, Fred Hardie traveled by rail with side trips by carriage from Cairns in Queensland to Gawler in South Australia, and created five sets of lantern slides with narrative text for the states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. The New South Wales set, which consisted of 60 slides, contained 15 images of Newcastle. A set of these resides with the State Library of New South Wales at PXD 754 Fred Hardie – Photographs of Sydney, Newcastle, New South Wales and Aboriginals for George Washington Wilson & Co., 1892-1893 The Newcastle set are numbered 177 to 192. The University of Aberdeen hold the original glass plate negatives of 32 images taken by Hardie. Some in the NSW State Library set, in particular items 179 and 180, do not appear to have original glass negatives in the University of Aberdeen’s online holdings.
The NSW State Library dates the images to between 1892-1893, while Butterworth (apparently citing a NSW State Library source page) appears to suggest he traveled to Australia in the late 1890s instead (Butterworth, 261 and footnote 16). So there may be some confusion as to the dating of these images, so viewer suggestions would be welcome. The closest we could find to “Australia Views” were advertisements for G. W. Wilson & Co’s titled Splendid Views of English, Scotch and Australian Views in Great Variety and Splendid Views of English, Scotch and Australian Scenery in Great Variety In Scraps, Medallions and Opals; also Albums of various localities. Advertisements for sets of photographs of Sydney also appear to be up for sale in 1896 and 1897. See: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221124209; http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120776672; http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article145932731.
[August 2018 Update]: Following the Feature on the photographs published in the Newcastle Herald on Saturday 11 August 2018, “armchair history enthusiast” Mati Morel wrote:
“Dear Gionni,
A clue to the time period of these Fred Hardie photos is in the front page of the Herald. There is an overhead advertising banner which reads “Newcastle Poultry, Pigeon, Canary & Dog Society, 2nd Annual Show, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday May 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th”. This show (the 2nd one as stated) was held in 1893, rather than 1892. Confirmed by logging into Trove, and checking the NMH files. Advertisements appeared as early as 1893 May 11 in the press, which narrows down the window of time, as to when the photos were taken. Sorry to be a know-all, but I certainly appreciate these photos, as an armchair history enthusiast.
My congratulations.
Regards,
Mati Morel”
Thanks to Mati’s find, we can comfortably date the images to post May 1893. Thanks Mati.
For a Google Earth map of the photos (.kmz file) click here.
If you are interested in further photographs of Newcastle from the earlier 1870s see the posts at the following links:
On the Beach, Newcastle N.S.W. 30,419 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘D’ series plates 8.5″ by 6.5″ (22cm by 17cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)Church of England, Newcastle N.S.W. 30,420 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘A’ series plate 12″ by 10″ (30cm by 25cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.) St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Newcastle.
Court House Newcastle N.S.W. 30,321 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘D’ series plate 8.5″ by 6.5″ (22cm by 17cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Hospital, Newcastle N.S.W. 30,422 G.W.W. 8.5″ by 6.5″ (22cm by 17cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Hospital, Newcastle, N.S.W. 30,422 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘A’ series plate 12″ by 10″ (30cm by 25cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Custom House Newcastle N.S.W. 30,423 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘A’ series plate 12″ by 10″ (30cm by 25cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen)
Custom House Newcastle N.S.W. 30,423 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘D’ series plate 8.5″ by 6.5″ (22cm by 17cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen)
Burwood and Hunter Streets, Newcastle, N.S.W. 30,424 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘D’ series plate 8.5″ by 6.5″ (22cm by 17cm) in size. Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Burwood and Hunter Streets, Newcastle N.S.W. 30,424 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘A’ series plate 12″ by 10″ (30cm by 25cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
General Post Office, Hunter Street, Newcastle, N.S.W. 30,425 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘D’ series plate 8.5″ by 6.5″ (22cm by 17cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeeen, U.K.)
Hunter Street Newcastle, N.S.W. Looking East 30,426 1 glass plate negative ‘D’ series plate 8.5″ by 6.5″ (22cm by 17cm) in size. (Courtesy of University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Hunter Street Newcastle, N.S.W. Looking East 30,426 1 glass plate negative ‘D’ series plate 8.5″ by 6.5″ (22cm by 17cm) in size. (Courtesy of University of Aberdeen, U.K.) – Larger File
Hunter Street Newcastle, N.S.W. Looking West 30,427 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘D’ series plate 8.5″ by 6.5″ (22cm by 17cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Hunters Street Newcastle, N.S.W. Looking West 30,428 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘A’ series plate 12″ by 10″ (30cm by 25cm) in size. (Courtesy of University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Hunters Street Newcastle, N.S.W. Looking West 30,428 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘D’ series plate 8.5″ by 6.5″ (22cm by 17cm) in size. (Courtesy of University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Scott Street Newcastle N.S.W. 30,429 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘D’ series plate 8.5″ by 6.5″ (22cm by 17cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Scott Street Newcastle N.S.W. 30,429 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘A’ series plate 12″ by 10″ (30cm by 25cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Watt’s Street Newcastle N.S.W. 30,430 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘A’ series plate 12″ by 10″ (30cm by 25cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Coaling at Newcastle N.S.W. 30,431 G.W.W. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Coaling at Newcastle N.S.W. 30,431 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘A’ series plate 12″ by 10″ (30cm by 25cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Nobby’s and Entrance to Harbour, Newcastle N.S.W. 30,432 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘A’ series plate 12″ by 10″ (30cm by 25cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
On the road to Nobby’s Newcastle N.S.W. 30,433 G.W.W. glass plate negative ‘D’ series plate 8.5″ by 6.5″ (22cm by 17cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
On the road to Nobby’s Newcastle N.S.W. 30,433 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘A’ series plate 12″ by 10″ (30cm by 25cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Horse Shoe Wharf Newcastle, N.S.W. 30,434 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘A’ series plate 12″ by 10″ (30cm by 25cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Horse Shoe Wharf, Newcastle, N.S.W. 30,434 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘D’ series plate 8.5″ by 6.5″ (22cm by 17cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Nobby’s and Fort, Newcastle N.S.W. 30,435 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘D’ series plate 8.5″ by 6.5″ (22cm by 17cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Nobby’s and Fort, Newcastle N.S.W. 30,435 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘A’ series plate 12″ by 10″ (30cm by 25cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Newcastle, N.S.W. From South. 30,436 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘A’ series plate 12″ by 10″ (30cm by 25cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Newcastle, N.S.W. From Breakwater. 30,437 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘D’ series plate 8.5″ by 6.5″ (22cm by 17cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Newcastle, N.S.W. From Stockton. 30,438 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘A’ series plate 12″ by 10″ (30cm by 25cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Newcastle, N.S.W. From Stockton. 30,438 G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘D’ series plate 8.5″ by 6.5″ (22cm by 17cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Newcastle, N.S.W. From Nobby’s. 30,439. G.W.W. 1 glass plate negative ‘D’ series plate 8.5″ by 6.5″ (22cm by 17cm) in size. (Courtesy of the University of Aberdeen, U.K.)
Detail of the Newcastle Townscape from Nobby’s (Click for Larger View)
177. Newcastle, N.S.W. From South. (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
177. Newcastle, N.S.W. From South
178. Newcastle, N.S.W. From Stockton. (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
178. Newcastle, N.S.W. From Stockton
179. Newcastle, N.S.W. From Nobby’s (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
179. Newcastle, N.S.W. From Nobby’s
180. Nobby’s Head, Newcastle, N.S.W. From the Breakwater (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
180. Nobby’s Head, Newcastle, N.S.W. From the Breakwater
181. On the Road to Nobby’s Newcastle, N.S.W. (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
181. On the Road to Nobby’s Newcastle, N.S.W.
182. Nobby’s and Entrance to Harbour, Newcastle, N.S.W.
182. Nobby’s and Entrance to Harbour, Newcastle, N.S.W.
183. Horse Shoe Wharf, Newcastle, N.S.W. (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
183. Horse Shoe Wharf, Newcastle, N.S.W.
184. Coaling at Newcastle, N.S.W. (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
184. Coaling at Newcastle, N.S.W.
185. Burwood and Hunter Streets, Newcastle, N.S.W. (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
185. Burwood and Hunter Streets, Newcastle, N.S.W.
186. Scott Street, Newcastle, N.S.W. (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
186. Scott Street, Newcastle, N.S.W.
187. Hunter Street, Newcastle, N.S.W. (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
187. Hunter Street, Newcastle, N.S.W.
188. Watt Street, Newcastle, N.S.W. (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
188. Watt Street, Newcastle, N.S.W.
189. Hospital, Newcastle, N.S.W. (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
189. Hospital, Newcastle, N.S.W.
Custom House, Newcastle (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
190. Custom House, Newcastle, N.S.W.
191. Court House, Newcastle, N.S.W. (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
191. Court House, Newcastle, N.S.W.
192. Church of England, Newcastle, N.S.W. [St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church] (Courtesy of the State Library of NSW)
192. Church of England, Newcastle, N.S.W. [St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church].
What magnificent photos! I got a bit teary, having lived in the Boatrowers homes in Nobbys Road in the 50’s/60’s
Very nostalgic. On the road to Nobbys photo, when I moved to Newcastle that little house below Fort Scratchley was still standing, somewhat!..thank you for these images
Wow. Stunning photographs. Congratulations to Matt Ward on this find.
Marvellous photos. Brilliant!
What magnificent photos! I got a bit teary, having lived in the Boatrowers homes in Nobbys Road in the 50’s/60’s
Very nostalgic. On the road to Nobbys photo, when I moved to Newcastle that little house below Fort Scratchley was still standing, somewhat!..thank you for these images