Nettleton, Charles.

Brighton Beach photograph [with] 4 carte de visite views on verso.

Early 1870s. Charles Nettleton (1826-1902), was a well known Australian photographer said to have taken the only genuine photograph of Ned Kelly; he was appointed the special photographer to the government, recording the growth of Melbourne and the first visit of the English cricket team. This is a single album page, with a large view of Brighton Beach, ca. 1880 (State Library of Victoria, Accession No: H36540) by Charles Nettleton. The large beach scene shows gentlemen and ladies in their Sunday best, reclining on the grass and looking down towards the beach; the tide is out and children are hunting in the shallow water for treasures. 7 1/2 x 5 1/4".

Four albumen photographs (carte de visite size) are on the verso of the Nettleton Brighton Beach photograph, and they are neatly labeled in a contemporary hand, from top to bottom: "Entrance to Botanical Gardens, Sydney"; "Esplanade - St. Kilda - Victoria"; "St. Kilda" (possibly Glenferrie Road); and "Sydney, NSW" (with a view of the harbor). The photograph labeled "Esplanade - St. Kilda - Victoria" is actually taken on the pier, looking towards where the Esplanade Hotel was to be constructed in 1878. A photograph taken from the same location on the pier around 1880 by D. McDonald (Libraries Australia ID 49377438) shows considerably more construction, and the spot where the Esplanade Hotel is to be built is vacant. The photograph labeled "St. Kilda", an unidentified street scene, was not found on a search of Trove. It is taken from a rise, looking downward and away from town.

The photograph labelled "Sydney, NSW" is identified by the State Library of New South Wales as "Carte de visite, panoramic view Church Hill, Sydney [view looking toward Sydney Cove with St. Patrick's Church in foreground] early 1870s (State Library New South Wales SPF/85).

Album page 11 x 8 1/4" 1/2"; each photograph carte de visite size, 3 1/2 x 2 1/4". Album page slightly rippled; photographs in very good condition. Item #17325

Sold