Category: Henry Hall Baily

Elizabeth Allport nee Ritchie 1875

Elizabeth Allport nee Ritchie at Thomas J. Nevin’s studio 1876

September 8, 2020

This photograph taken by Thomas J. Nevin at his studio, the City Photographic Establishment of Elizabeth Allport (1835-1925) is arguably the finest portrait taken of her in her mature years. There is no other photograph – and there were many taken throughout her life – which reveals her sublime grace and character to this extent, a quality due in no small measure to the professional expertise of Thomas J. Nevin. Elizabeth Allport was the elder daughter of Lieutenant Thomas Ritchie, wife of Morton Allport (1830–1878), mother of Curzona (Lily), Minnie, Cecil, Evett and Henry Allport, and a friend to the family of Thomas J. Nevin, his wife Elizabeth Rachel Day and his sister Mary Anne Nevin. … More Elizabeth Allport nee Ritchie at Thomas J. Nevin’s studio 1876

Sarah Crouch cdv by Thomas J Nevin 1871

Sarah Crouch at Thomas J. Nevin’s studio ca. 1872

July 31, 2020

“SEVERAL Ladies having been long impressed with the desolate state of females occupying the sphere of domestic servants on leaving their situations while seeking others, the following ideas have been suggested: –
“That a society of ladies be formed, the design of which shall be to protect ALL lone female servants, and afford such advice as experience dictates and by judicious care and oversight prevent exposure to many evils which strangers in the colony are subject to; and also to provide a “Home” to ALL female servants willing to avail themselves of its privileges at a rate within the reach of their limited means. The “Home” will be conducted as much as possible in accordance with similar Institutions in London. Such a home will preclude the necessity of the well-intentioned taking up their abode with persons whose object is gain to themselves, though it should be the destruction of their supporters. With this view the ladies have taken a house in High-street, near the New Town Road (a respectable neighbourhood) at a very moderate rent, in which there is a sitting-room, with table requisites for the use of the inmates, and all necessary utensil for cooking, washing, &c – the dormitories furnished with beds, bedding, and everything necessary to the comfort of those desirous of placing themselves under the guardianship of the ladies….” … More Sarah Crouch at Thomas J. Nevin’s studio ca. 1872

The Odd Fellows’ Hall photograph 1871

June 26, 2011

“THE ODD FELLOWS’ HALL – A very fine photograph of the Odd Fellows’ Hall (corner of Davey and Harrington-streets) has been taken for the Society by Mr. Nevin, of Elizabeth-street. The view is taken from Davey-street, opposite the corner of the Freemasons’ Hotel, and thus shows the entrance to the rooms, with the whole front and side of the buildings. A well-known member of the institution, and a less known youth, have come within the range of the camera, and their presence greatly assists in conveying an idea of the dimensions of the hall. The picture is undoubtedly creditable to the artist.” … More The Odd Fellows’ Hall photograph 1871

Elwick racecourse, Hobart, Tasmania

Apprentices: The Good, The Bad and The Careless

September 18, 2009

Among photographers’ apprentices in 1870s Hobart was the notable Joshua Anson. He stole cameras, photographic equipment, mounts, chemicals and albums from his employer Henry Hall Baily over five years between 1872 and 1877. He ordered the importation of glass negatives and mounts from London and Paris on H. H. Baily’s account and without Baily’s consent. He also reprinted albums by Samuel Clifford as his own work. The value placed on the goods far exceeded the court valuation of £180. Chief Justice Francis Smith informed the jury that theft on this scale warranted a sentence of 14 years. The Law Digest (1897) recorded the event with the normative 14 year sentence, and the refusal of bail. Joshua Anson was sentenced to just two years because he was young, 22 years old at the time of the trial in June 1877, and pleaded to be kept apart from the others prisoners on incarceration because he felt he was above them. He was photographed on incarceration at the Hobart Gaol in 1877 by the Nevin brothers… … More Apprentices: The Good, The Bad and The Careless

Woman with child and her doll, photo by Charles A. Woolley 1860s

The Cohort: Charles A. Woolley and H.H. Baily

August 3, 2007

Thomas J. Nevin belonged to a cohort of Tasmanian professional photographers of the 1860s-1880 which included his two partners Alfred Bock who was an accomplished sennotypist (until 1867) and Samuel Clifford whose output of stereographs was prodigious (1860s-1878). From Alfred Bock he learnt studio portraiture, from Samuel Clifford he learnt stereography. Others with a close association were Charles A. Woolley who experimented with mega and micro photography and whose father furnished the cohort’s studios with carpets, tables, chairs, wall hangings etc  from his furniture warehouse; Alfred Winter who was a society portraitist and landscape photographer; and the Nevin family friend, H. H. Baily who was also a press lithographer. … More The Cohort: Charles A. Woolley and H.H. Baily

Thomas Nevin detained for acting in concert with the ”GHOST”

May 3, 2007

The man in the centre of the road threw a reflection upon the one alongside the wall. The reflection was also upon the wall for a height of about 7 ft. Witness walked quickly towards the man in the road, and at the same time two men came stealthily out of George-street. Witness then commenced to run. One of those who came out of George-street said, “Come back, George.” Witness replied, “Don’t you see this fellow playing the ghost?” when the man in the middle of the road again threw a reflection upon the ghost. Witness arrested this man, who proved to be Nevin. The other two me pursued the man who had been acting as ghost. Nevin was taken to the police station, where he was searched at his own request. There was nothing that would account for the appearance of the ghost found upon him. … More Thomas Nevin detained for acting in concert with the ”GHOST”

Thomas Nevin and Elizabeth Rachel Day, wedding 12 July 1871

Thomas & Elizabeth Nevin’s Wedding Photograph 1871

April 13, 2007

It is possible that the man standing on Jack Nevin’s right was Thomas Nevin’s close friend and partner, photographer Samuel Clifford. If H. H. Baily attended the wedding, did he take this photograph, or was he one of the two remaining unidentified men? If the latter, then who was the fifth photographer present from Thomas Nevin’s cohort – i.e. not Thomas himself or his brother Jack Nevin, not H. H. Baily nor Samuel Clifford, so who took it? Alfred Bock, perhaps, on a visit from Victoria, who was Nevin’s former mentor and lessee of the City Photographic Establishment studio until his departure from Tasmania in 1867. The two signatory witnesses on the marriage registration form were William Hanson, furniture dealer whose shop was located on the corner of Elizabeth and Warwick streets, Hobart (site of the former hotel the Black Prince), and Elizabeth’s younger sister and bridesmaid (both wore the same floral hair pin), standing at her left shoulder. There is also the possibility that one of the men standing was their father, Captain James Day (1808-1882); their mother, however, had died of consumption in 1857, leaving questions as to the identities of the other two women present. … More Thomas & Elizabeth Nevin’s Wedding Photograph 1871