Caire Nicholas John Attributed (1 results)
More imagesSeller: Douglas Stewart Fine Books, Armadale, VIC, AustraliaDouglas Stewart Fine Books
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£ 64.42
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Add to basketVery large format albumen print photograph, 215 x 270 mm; dated in manuscript in negative lower left '1 Jan 1874'; the verso has a contemporary inscription in pencil 'No. 1' and a straight-line wet stamp in green ink whose lettering is unfortunately indecipherable; the print has three vertical folds, with a short tear at the bot…tom edge of the central fold; the photograph is preserved in the previous owner's archival mat, on which she wrote in pencil 'Nicholas Caire mount' - presumably, this is a reference to the remnants of a mount that must have perished. The scrubby, scarred landscape certainly makes it possible that this fabulous outdoor group portrait was taken somewhere on the Central Goldfields. Nicholas Caire was living and working in Sandhurst (Bendigo) at this time. There was a surprisingly large number of social events held in Bendigo on New Year's Day, 1874 - in fact, if truth be told, there was probably more entertainment on offer than there would be today. We believe the men in our photograph could have been attending the Oddfellows Picnic on the Campaspe River near Runnymede, to the northeast of Bendigo. A clue to their identity, though, might be found in the presence of the distinguished Indian gentleman who is prominent in the centre of the back row. On that morning - 1 January 1874 - a journalist in the Bendigo Advertiser gave a summary of all the local events that would take place in the day and evening: 'ODDFELLOWSPICNIC.The Oddfellows hold their annualpicnictoday, on the banks of the Campaspe, at Runnymede, and as the place is easily attainable byrail, and is a very pleasant place, and numerousamusements are to be provided, it is expectedthat there will be a large attendance.EAGLEHAWK FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.The Friendly Societies, of Eaglehawk, holdsports at the Botanic Gardens' reserve, Eaglehawk. A procession of the societies willstart from the Town Hall for the Gardens in the forenoon. Innocent sports andgames of all descriptions will be provided, sothat visitors will have every opportunity ofenjoying themselves.PROMENADE CONCERTS AND BALLSThere is to be a promenade concert at theSydenham Gardens given by Nicholl?s fineband while in the Oddfellows' Hall in theevening, Hallas?s City Band will give a promenade Concert. At Nissen's European Hotel,theBendigoDeutsche Liedertafel hold their firstanniversary ball in the evening.THEATRES. .At St. James' Hall Miss Blanch Stammers'and Mr. Garner will appear in the elegantcomedy of " The Happy Pair," and this will befollowed by the pantomime of "RobinsonCrusoe." At the Theatre Royal there will be avaried entertainment, concluding with the pantomime of " Beauty and the Beast."THE NEW YEAR'S RIFLE MATCHESThe annual meeting of theBendigoRiflestakes place to-day at the Back Creek Butts.Firing commences at 9 a.m., and as there arefive distinct matches, shooting will not concludebefore 6 p.m. From the number of entriesmade for the handicap matches there will, nodoubt, be a large gathering of our riflemen atthe Butts. That portion of the public also whotake an interest in shooting will, it is expected,pay a visit during the day to the convincingground. The Ladies' Trophy, which was subscribed for by the ladies of Sandhurst, consistsof a handsome silver tea and coffee service, andis on view at Mr. M. W. Bent's, Pall Mall. Thefiring for this, the principal prize, will commence about half-past one o'clock. Prizes of the total value of about £35 are to he competedfor.' Provenance: Private collection of Joyce Evans OAM (1929-2019), Melbourne.
