Item #25540 South Island, New Zealand (Dunedin). 14 Albumen photographs. New Zealand, Photography, William Meluish, Frank A. Coxhead, John Richard Morris, Charles Campbell.
South Island, New Zealand (Dunedin). 14 Albumen photographs.
South Island, New Zealand (Dunedin). 14 Albumen photographs.
South Island, New Zealand (Dunedin). 14 Albumen photographs.
South Island, New Zealand (Dunedin). 14 Albumen photographs.
South Island, New Zealand (Dunedin). 14 Albumen photographs.
South Island, New Zealand (Dunedin). 14 Albumen photographs.
South Island, New Zealand (Dunedin). 14 Albumen photographs.

South Island, New Zealand (Dunedin). 14 Albumen photographs.

Dunedin, New Zealand: 1860 - 1861; reissued 1880s. Large albumen photographs of early Dunedin, Lake Wakatipu, Mt. Pembroke, Milford Sound, Maori carvings, and Smith Sound, Mt. Peak, Dusky Sound and George Sound. The majority were taken by William Meluish in 1860 and 1861, noted Dunedin photographer, and reprinted by Frank A. Coxhead in the 1880s. The 2 Maori carving photographs are credited "Morris".

William Meluish (1823? - 1888) settled in Dunedin in 1859, and opened a photography studio with his wife. The couple were known for their "Old Dunedin" views; their negatives were later acquired by Mr. F. A. Coxhead. The photographs are laid down on both sides of 4 thick card album sheets, and usually titled in the lower left corner in the image.
Sheet 1 includes 4 Dunedin photographs by Meluish, reprinted by Frank A. Coxhead (F.A.C.):
1. "Princes Street, Dunedin. 1861". View looks down the broad street from a rise, towards shops and dwellings. "Tin Plate Worker, J. Curle" sign is visible on the first building at the left side of the street. "Tickle & Co, commercial sales room" is visible further down also on the left side.
2. A panoramic view of the harbor, titled "Dunedin from View St, 1861", showing farms in the foreground, and looking down towards the town, the harbor and mountains in the distance.
3. "Dunedin from Maitland St. 1860", a panoramic view showing a large partially cleared and fenced field in the foreground, the harbor, town and mountains in the distance.
4. "Dunedin from Bell Hill. 1860", a view from the hillside with stone dwellings in the foreground, looking down at the town and main waterfront road.

Sheet 2 includes 4 photographs by Meluish/F.A.C, of various Sounds:
1. "Halls Arm, Smith Sd. NZ, 1882", view taken from ship showing distinctive curved bump of Halls Arm at the left; passengers on deck visible at the right side of the image.
2. "Mt. Peak, Milford Sound [?]", a lovely view showing the profile of the mountains reflected in the still water of the foreground, with a ship in the hollow between mountains, and grasses in the foreground.
3. "V'et Jacket Arm Dusky Sound NZ '76", showing rowboats with passengers drawn up on the rocky shore, mountains in the distance.
4. "George Sound N Z '64", taken from the rocky shore, with steam ship at left against cloud covered mountain ridge.

Sheet 3 includes 2 very large photographs of Maori carvings, by John Richard Morris (1854 - 1919). These measure 11 x 8 1/4":
1. "Ancient Maori Carvings. No. 1 X Morris", a studio photograph consisting of a large assortment of carved and woven Maori items arranged against a cloth backdrop.
2. "Morris photographer, Dunedin NZ", showing a display of 4 elaborately carved door lintels, with a hand printed display label below the bottom most carving.

Sheet 4 includes 2 photographs by Charles Campbell (1860 - ca 1943), and 2 by an unidentified photographer:
1. "Campbell Photo. 142. Head of Lake Wakatipu NZ from 25 mile", showing a view of the lake, cloud filled sky, and tree covered slopes.
2. "Mount Pembroke, Milford Sound", a lovely view of the mountain at center, a ship passing beneath, and rushes in the foreground. Title in period pen below the photograph, the photographer's title in the image blurry.
3. "Phoenix Mine" titled in ink below the photo, a view looking down on the mine from a height, with large shed in foreground, numerous roadways leading away into the surrounding land.
4. "Queen's Town" titled in ink below the photo, a panoramic view looking down on the town and protected harbor and many houses, the mountains in the distance.

The large photographs varying in size from 8 1/4 x 7" to 12 3/4 x 4 1/2", laid down on card stock 12 x 15 3/4". Photographs in very good condition, a few sunned at margins; the Queen's Town panorama with closed tear at bottom right edge, intruding into the water. Very good overall. Item #25540

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