Ask a librarian, Photography, Preservation:
In ‘Broken Glass (part 1)’, we looked at how the Library captures glass plate negatives, and explored some interestingly damaged photographs from the Library’s collection. In this – part 2 – we look at how the Library houses the negatives and show some more examples of unexpected beauty.
We are always looking for that perfect image of the past. While often seen as a detriment, broken glass and chemical emulsion damage on early photographic glass plate negatives can have their own particular beauty. Explore a selection of interestingly damaged photographs from the Library’s collection.
![Portrait of an unidentified young woman, photograph by Louis Grouzelle, (between 1880 and 1890?]](https://blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Portrait-of-an-unidentified-young-woman-1-120x120.jpg)
Family matters, Research tips & tricks:
When browsing through collections of old family photographs it’s not unusual to come across images of unknown people and places. But how do you discover who these nameless ancestors are?
One method is to work out when the photograph was taken – once you have a rough time frame, you can compare the details of the sitter to ancestors in your family tree and hopefully find a match. This can be a complicated task, but every family historian likes a good challenge!
Arts & literature, Such was life:
In 1937 the Library received 24 original works by William Henry Fox Talbot, one of the inventors of photography.
Social life & customs, Such was life:
The Myer Christmas windows hold a special place in the heart of most Melburnians. The brainchild of Fred Asmussen (1913-1974), who began his career at the Myer emporium in 1928 as a ‘wheeler’ boy, moving products from one place to another in wicker cart, the much-loved tradition is now in its 67th year.
This ANZAC Day we remember some Bendigo soldiers who are included in the Vincent Kelly photographic archive.
Arts & literature, Such was life:
Ruth Hollick is noted for her portraits of children and of Melbourne society’s elite as well as creating some of the earliest known fashion photographs in Australia.
People & professions, Such was life:
The Fred Boyle Photographic Collection portrays Echuca in the 1950s and ’60s as a town driven by community spirit.
Maggie Diaz was an American-born Australian commercial photographer who lived and worked in Melbourne.
