Day: December 25, 2009

Christmas 1874: Thomas Nevin’s photographic feat

December 25, 2009

Seasons Greetings 2009 to all our readers, researchers, contributors and extended family.

Visitors to Thomas J. Nevin’s weblogs on 2nd January 2010 at midday:
On Christmas Day, 25th December 1874, The Mercury newspaper (Tasmania) published a notice which served the dual purpose of praising Nevin’s photographic talents and suggesting by way of praise that the “literary curiosity” would make a great gift as a Christmas card: … More Christmas 1874: Thomas Nevin’s photographic feat

Christmas 1874: Thomas Nevin’s photographic feat

Search this site

Search for:

Sabbatical 2022-23: We are taking a short break from regular posting January 2022 to mid 2023 but will be available to answer queries.

Thomas J. Nevin (1842-1923)

Thomas J. Nevin ca. 1867 (self-portrait)
Commercial and police photographer in 19th century Hobart, Tasmania
Copyright © KLW NFC Imprint Private Collection.
DO NOT REPRODUCE or PUBLISH.

Professional photographer Thomas James Nevin snr (1842-1923) produced large numbers of stereographs and cartes-de-visite within his commercial practice, and prisoner identification photographs on government contract. His career spanned nearly three decades, from the early 1860s to the late 1880s. He was one of the first photographers to work with the police in Australia, along with Charles Nettleton (Victoria) and Frazer Crawford (South Australia). His Tasmanian prisoner mugshots are among the earliest to survive in public collections, viz. the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Launceston; the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Hobart; the Tasmanian Heritage and Archives Office, Hobart; the Port Arthur Historic Site, Tasman Peninsula; the National Library of Australia, Canberra; and the Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW, Sydney. Thomas J. Nevin's stereographs and portraits are held in public and private collections in Australia, New Zealand, the USA, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Denmark, France and Switzerland.

Click here for key dates 1842-1923

In his own words …

“I hope that you have not got it in your mind that I am implicated with the ghost“.
The Mercury, 4 December 1880

“Defendant said that he was the father of a large number of children, and did not know which one was referred to. (Laughter.)”
The Mercury, 11 August 1886

“Mr. Thos Nevin was under the impression that the police should be under stricter supervision.”
The Mercury, 19 July 1888.

An important update

This is not John Jones per Wm Jardine 2
In Exiled, The Port Arthur Convict Photographs
(NLA 2011, pp 166-171)

Indigenous Notice

lutruwita/Tasmania/Van Diemen’s Land (loo-tru-wee-ta) always was, always will be Aboriginal land.

This weblog pays respect to the ancestors and elders past, present, and emerging of the first Australian peoples and acknowledges their continued connection to land, sea and culture as the traditional custodians of this country.

Irish-born Thomas J. Nevin would have been keenly aware that the residence and photographic studio he occupied at No’s 138-140 Elizabeth St. Hobart in the 1870s was built on the traditional lands of the palawa people. It is no small irony that today, the very same property, which is renumbered as No. 198 Elizabeth St. Hobart and is occupied by the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre, has returned to its traditional owners.

Looking east from the corner of Patrick St., the Royal Standard Hotel, 142 Elizabeth St. then T. J. Nevin’s studio and residence, 140-138 Elizabeth St. Hobart, 1870s

We also acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation as the traditional custodians of the City of Sydney, and the Ngunnawal people of the Australian Capital Territory on whose lands this site is maintained.

Please note: images on this weblog represent deceased people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Viewing such images may cause sadness and distress.

Most viewed today

Browse the archive

Featured this month

Rogues Gallery: The TMAG Collection

Featured 2021: 3D stereoscopy

Thomas J. Nevin’s stereography

Byron Miller and Jean Porthouse Graves at Caldew, West Hobart Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin 1870s

Three men sitting on boulders, kunanyi/Mt. Wellington Photographer: Thomas J. Nevin late 1860s

Group at the Rocking Stone, kunanyi/Mt Wellington Photographer: Thomas J. Nevin late 1860s

A large party sitting atop the Beacon Light, kunanyi/Mt. Wellington Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin late 1860s

A group at the Beacon Light, kunanyi/Mt. Wellington Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin late 1860s

Snow at the summit of kunanyi/Mt Wellington Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin 1860s

Man in top hat with view of Elwick Bay, Hobart, Tasmania Photo by T. J. Nevin ca. 1870

View of Elwick Bay from the Tolosa estate, Glenorchy Tasmania Stereograph by T. J. Nevin ca. 1870

On board the City of Hobart, 31st January 1872 TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-2

Snow-laden ferns 1860s Stereograph by T. J.Nevin

Unidentified plant, sapling with feathery branches Photographer: Thomas J. Nevin late 1860s

Cobweb and unidentified feathery sapling Stereograph by Thomas J, Nevin 1860s-1870s

The Glenorchy Landslip 1872 TMAG Ref: Q16826-36

Snow at the Ploughed Field, kunanyi /Mount Wellington 1860s Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin late 1860s

Ferns around Kangaroo Valley (Tas) Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin ca. 1868 TMAG Ref: Q16826-34

New Town creek at Ancanthe, Tasmania Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin 1860s-1870s TMAG Ref: Q16826-33

Three men sitting on boulders, kunanyi/Mt Wellington Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin 1860s-1870s

Ferns around Mt Wellington and Kangaroo Valley (Tas) Stereograph on arched buff mount by Thomas J. Nevin ca. 1868 TMAG Ref: Q16826-31-2

Ferns heavily laden with snow, Kangaroo Valley (Tas) Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin 1868 TMAG Ref: Q16826-31-1

Ferns around the foothills of kunanyi/Mt Wellington, Hobart Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin on arched buff mount ca. 1868 Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery Collection TMAG Ref: Q16826-30-1

Sunroom conservatory with pot plants Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin 1860s-1870s TMAG Ref: Q16826-29

New Town public school, Tasmania Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin 1860s TMAG Ref: Q16826-28

The Glenorchy Landslip 1872 TMAG Ref: Q16826-27

After the storm, Kangaroo Valley 1872 Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery Collection TMAG Ref: Q16826-22

New Town Public School, Hobart, Tasmania 1860s Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin TMAG Ref: Q16826-20

At the Royal Botanic Gardens Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin 1860s-1870s TMAG Ref: Q16826-17

The bridge at New Norfolk, Tasmania Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin ca. 1868 TMAG Ref: Q16826-16

At the Salt Rock Caves, Huon, Tasmania Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin ca. 1870

Group of surveyors at the Salt Rock caves, Huon, Tasmania Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin ca. 1870

Man in top hat with view of Elwick Bay in background Stereograph by T. J. Nevin ca. 1870 TMAG Ref: Q16826-12

Sim’s Excelsior coal mine, Kangaroo Valley, Tasmania 1870s Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin ca. 1874 TMAG Ref: Q16826.11

With Jean Porthouse Graves at Caldew, West Hobart Stereograph by Thomas Nevin ca. 1870 TMAG Ref: Q16826-10

House with bluestone extensions, Kangaroo Valley Tasmania Stereograph by Nevin & Smith 1868 TMAG Ref: Q16826-9

A male friend, possibly Duncan Chisholm, posing against a tree Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin 1860s-1870s

Group at the Beacon, kunanyi/Mt Wellington Stereograph on buff mount by Thomas J. Nevin late 1860s TMAG Ref: Q16826-7

A house at New Town, Tasmania TMAG Ref: Q16826-5

On the Rocking Stone kunyani/Mt Wellington Hobart Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin 1860s

Mary Ann Nevin at the Kangaroo Valley school house ca. 1870 Stereograph by her brother Thomas J. Nevin TMAG Ref: Q16826-1-2

Group at the Lady Franklin Museum, Ancanthe, Kangaroo Valley, Tasmania Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin 1860s-1870s TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-34

Thomas Nevin’s studio, 140 Elizabeth St. Hobart Stereograph on buff mount Thomas J. Nevin ca. 1870 TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-33

Group at Sir John Franklin’s tree, Kangaroo Valley, Tasmania Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin ca 1870 TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-31

Hobart from Lime Kiln Hill looking down Harrington Street Stereograph by Thomas Nevin ca. late 1860s-1870 TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-30

A group at the Beacon Light, kunanyi/Mt. Wellington Stereograph on buff mount by Thomas J. Nevin late 1860s TMAG Ref: 1994.56.29.

View of Elwick Bay from Tolosa estate, Glenorchy Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin 1860s-1870s TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-27

The cattleyard and abbatoir, Queen’s Domain, Hobart Hand coloured stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin’s studio ca 1870 TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-25

VIPs at Adventure Bay 31 January 1872 Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-24

View across the Domain to the Hobart Gaol, Campbell St. Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin 1860s-1870s TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-23

A farmer and friend surveying his sown crop Stereograph on arched yellow card by Thomas J. Nevin ca, 1870 TMAG Collection Ref: Q1994.56.22

The River Derwent at Plenty, Tasmania Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-21

Terpsichoreans at New Norfolk ,December 1867 or Rosny, May1868 Stereograph by Nevin & Smith 140 Elizabeth St. Hobart Tasmania TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-20.1

Government House from the Queen’s Domain, Hobart Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin 1860s-1870s TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-18

Duncan Chisholm outside his house, Brisbane St. Hobart ca. 1870 Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin ca. 1870 TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-17

Snow at the Ploughed Field, kunanyi /Mount Wellington 1860s Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin late 1860s

Sunny path in an orchard Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin 1860s-1870s TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-15

“Junction of Plenty and Derwent Rivers” Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin ca. 1870 TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-14

Ferns at Kangaroo Valley, Hobart Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin 1860s-70s TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-13

Thomas Nevin’s studio, 140 Elizabeth St Hobart 1868 Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-12

At the Salmon Ponds 1870 ca Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin Studio impress on left of mount TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-7

View of St Mary’s Church Hobart Tasmania Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin 1874 TMAG Ref: Q1994-56-6

VIP Trip to Adventure Bay, Bruny Island Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin January 31, 1872 TMAG Collection Ref: Q1994-56-5

A concertina player and party at the Rocking Stone, kunanyi/Mt. Wellington. Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin late 1860s

On board the City of Hobart January 1872 Stereograph by Thomas J. Nevin VIP visitors’ trip to Adventure Bay, Bruny Island. TMAG Collection Ref: Q1994.56.2

Thomas Nevin, lower figure, with friend on the Queens Domain, Hobart. ca 1870 TMAG Ref: Q16826-3

Featured 2022: About women

Thomas Nevin's women clients 1870s

John Nevin snr (1808-1887)

Soldier, journalist, teacher and poet John Nevin snr (1808-1887) in the Royal Scots 1825-1841

Disclaimer

We have not voluntarily contributed to any publication which supports the misattribution of Nevin's prisoner/convict photographs (300+ extant) to the non-photographer A.H. Boyd, nor do we condone any attempts by public institutions or private individuals to co-opt the work on these Nevin weblogs and associated sites to apply the misattribution.

Old Chinese saying: "When you drink the water, remember who dug the well".

Mugshots by T. J. Nevin 1870s

Prisoner Cornelius GLEESON

Prisoner SEWELL, William TMAG Ref: Q15573 Photographer: Thomas J. Nevin

Prisoner Daniel DAVIS,

Prisoner William CAMPBELL aka Job SMITH

Prisoner Robert WEST

Prisoner Stephen KELLY

Prisoner George GROWSETT

Prisoner James MARTIN

Prisoner Job SMITH alias William CAMPBELL alias BRODIE

Prisoner William DAWSON

Prisoner John GREGSON

Prisoner Daniel MURPHY

Prisoner William PRICE

Prisoner Henry SMITH

Prisoner George WILLIS

Prisoner John WHITE

Prisoner James MERCHANT

Prisoner DUNN, John alias DEMPSEY

Prisoner Hugh McCULLUM

Prisoner William RYAN

Prisoner Ephraim BOOTH

Prisoner John NESTOR

Prisoner John MORAN

Prisoner Alfred DORAN

Prisoner William HARRISON

Prisoner William RUSSELL

Prisoner George FISHER

Prisoner Phillip BURTON

Prisoner James WYNNE

Prisoner George GLASSFORD or WHITE

Prisoner David CLARK

Prisoner James GLENN

Prisoner Thomas RYAN

Prisoner James HARRISON

Prisoner John BRITTON or BRITTAIN

Prisoner Thomas WOOD

Prisoner Richard PHILLIPS

Prisoner Joseph WALMSLEY

Prisoner Cornelius HESTER

Prisoner William SAYER or Sawyer

Prisoner Henry CLABBY

Prisoner Thomas OWENS

Prisoner George LEATHLEY

Prisoner John NOWLAN alias DOWLING

Prisoner John WILLIAMS

Prisoner James ROGERS

Prisoner Samuel BLORE

Prisoner Thomas SMITH

Prisoner George CHARLTON

Prisoner John FITZPATRICK

Prisoner John MAYNE

Constable John Nevin (1851-1891)

Constable John ( W. J. ) Nevin, photo by older brother Thomas J. Nevin ca. 1880
Copyright © KLW NFC Imprint Private Collection.
DO NOT REPRODUCE or PUBLISH.

Poster boys: Supreme Court convictions Tasmania 1870s

Poster of Tasmanian prisoners' photographs by T. J. Nevin 1870s (1991 QVMAG Collection) Photo copyright KLW NFC Imprint 2009

Browse the categories

19th century photographer cohort (79)
- Alfred Bock (19)
- Alfred Winter (1)
- Ansons Bros. (6)
- Charles A. Woolley (10)
- George Cherry (1)
- Henry Hall Baily (8)
- John Watt Beattie (7)
- Morton Allport (6)
- Nevin & Smith (12)
- Samuel Clifford (22)
19th century prison photography (262)
- Hobart Gaol Campbell St. (74)
- Mitchell Library SLNSW (36)
- Police mugshots by Nevin (205)
- Police Records (157)
- Supreme Court men (160)
Aboriginal and Indigenous Tasmania (13)
Art Gallery NSW (6)
Art Gallery South Australia (1)
Attribution Issues (73)
Biographica (175)
- Descendants and In-Laws (59)
- Hobart Town Hall (24)
- Kangaroo Valley Hobart (38)
- Thomas Nevin's Family Portraits (65)
Biotica (21)
Cascades (8)
Clothing (31)
Exhibitions and Publications (148)
Hotels and Inns (20)
Legal fraternity (16)
Library of Congress (1)
National Archives UK (13)
National Gallery of Victoria (5)
National Library of Australia (121)
National Portrait Gallery of Australia (6)
New Zealand National Collections (11)
Newspapers (65)
Private Collections (197)
- C. G. Harrisson Collection (8)
- John McCullagh Collection (13)
- KLW NFC Collection (83)
- KLW NFC Photography (71)
- Liam Peters Collection (14)
- Lucy Batchelor Collection (7)
- Marcel Safier Collection (6)
Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (66)
Reviews (3)
Ships and Captains (85)
- Captain Edward Goldsmith (54)
- Captain Hector Axup (11)
State Library of NSW (23)
State Library of Tasmania (36)
State Library of Victoria (15)
Stereography (70)
Tasmanian Heritage and Archives Office (60)
Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (75)
Tasmanian Parliament (8)
Videos (28)

Nevin collection SLNSW

Nevin's thirteen prisoner portraits at the Mitchell Library State Library NSW

KLW NFC Photography

Mugshots by T. J. Nevin 1875 of prisoners in grey uniforms and leather caps, SLNSW Mitchell Collection Photo copyright KLW NFC Imprint

Poster of Tasmanian prisoners’ photographs by T. J. Nevin 1870s (1991 QVMAG Collection) Photo copyright KLW NFC Imprint 2009

Tasmanian Ports slip yard, from Hobart Domain Photo KLW NFC Imprint 2014

Sloane St. Battery Point Hobart Tasmania former site of patent slip Photo copyright KLW NFC Imprint 2016

Towns Wharf, numbered as Pier 8, and the Port Authority building, Towns Place, Sydney Harbour NSW Photo copyright KLW NFC Imprint 2013

Report on Captain Goldsmith’s patent slip by the Director of Public Works, 1855 Photo copyright KLW NFC Imprint 2014 SLNSW

92 Warwick St. Hobart Tasmania Photo copyright KLW NFC Imprint 2014

Caldew, former home of John Woodcock Graves, West Hobart, Tasmania Photo copyright KLW NFC Imprint 2015

Chinese soapstone vase or brush washer 1800s Photo copyright KLW NFC Imprint 2015

Thomas J. Nevin and Samuel Clifford: identical views Photo copyright KLW NFC Imprint 2015

Odd Fellows Hall, Hobart Tasmania Photo KLW NFC Imprint 2014

Marion camera at Hobart Gaol late 19th century Photo copyright KLW NFC Imprint 2015

Captain and Mrs Leslie on board the Harriet McGregor 1871

The Derwent from 270 Lenah Valley Rd, Hobart, Tasmania Photo copyright KLW NFC Imprint 2014

Prisoner cdvs taken by T. J. Nevin 1870s under glass at the TMAG Photo copyright KLW NFC Imprint 2014

A note about links

This site imports posts developed on the main weblog at Blogger.

LINKS in articles viewed here, therefore, will refer you back to other articles on the main weblog, in most cases. Click on camera icon to go to the Blogger weblog.