Creator unknown: Photograph album mainly of Wellington residents and scenes

Photograph album containing portraits of notable male residents of Wellington, together with scenes of Wellington and Nelson, probably taken circa 1860s. Photographers are unidentified, except for one image by William Henry Davis (who may have also taken others). Title `New Zealand historical photographs' is embossed on the album spine and listing of photograph subjects is tipped into the front. Compiler of album unknown.

- Fourteen images show portraits of men who lived and worked in Wellington during the mid-1800s; all their names are indexed below, except for a Mr D'Oyley, who could not be precisely identified. There are two portraits each of Alexander Johnston and William Whitewood. Five portraits (pp 4, 5, 11, 12, and 14) include the same side table and tapestry throw, reversed in some cases. Some images are colour tinted.

- Three small images show the rangatira Hoani Tunuiarangi, Hamiora Kaiwhakataka, and Hami Te Hau. These portraits appear to be part of a series of reproductions. They each include printed name, iwi affiliation, and location; and are numbered 5, 24, and 27 respectively.

- Also images showing views of Nelson and notable buildings there, together with a view of hops cultivation, including stacked climbing poles.

- Also images showing Wellington, including of the toll gate at Kaiwharawhara and nearby wreck of the ship Oliver Lang; and Cox drapers shop. View of Te Aro Flat shows Dransfield boat builders, Stuart Kinross and Company stores, and Te Aro pa. Three photographs showing Lambton Quay and Te Aro Flat are accompanied by hand-drawn keys. These identify many of the buildings shown and credit one image (p 22) to "W Davis", probably William Henry Davis, who may have also taken the next image (p 23).

- Some images are dated to the 1847-1849 period, but are more likely to have been taken during the 1860s

Source of title - Title supplied by Library

Source of descriptive information - William Henry Davis has been identified as the probable photographer of image on p 23, from William Main's 'Wellington through a Victorian lens' (Wellington: Steele Roberts, 2010). Main includes an identical image on p 21 and infers it was taken by Davis.

Quantity: 1 album(s) Album(s).

Physical Description: Blue and green album measuring 22.5 x 32 cm, with gold embossed lettering and insignia on cover and spine

Provenance: Donated by Parliamentary Library, Wellington, 2014

Transfers: From Book Collections - From New Zealand and Pacific Book Collections as part of a large ongoing donation of mainly published material.