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Collection of 25 items relating to the career of Roderick Glassford

Date1875-1973

Object numberANMS1095

NameArchive series

MediumCard, paper

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Mr and Mrs Glassford

Terms

DescriptionThese 25 items were collected by Roderick Winchcombe Glassford during his employment with P&O and over his lifetime. They consist of one postcard featuring SS MARMORA at Bombay; seven magazine articles relating to DUNTROON, TINGIRA, MS CHANGSHA and HILDEBRAND II and III; six black and white photographs of CLAN BRODIE, SS MALOJA, CHUSAN and MACQUARIE; one print of the painting KIRCUDBRIGHTSHIRE by John Allcot and 10 photograph albums containing images of sail, steam, cargo and passenger ships and MACQUARIE, the MELBOURNE and the hulk FORTUNA.HistoryMr Glassford was employed in shipping, an enthusiastic sailor, and was an active historian and collector of ship ephemera. He began his employment with Macdonald Hamilton & Co, agents for P&O (Peninsular & Oriental Steam & Navigation Company) in the 1930s. This was interrupted by WWII when he served in the Coast Artillery at South Head, achieving the rank of Captain. He returned to work with Macdonald Hamilton and became a Passenger Superintendent with P&O. He was also associated with the Royal Australian Historical Society, being a councillor over the period 1954-1957, and with the decline in passenger ships from the 1970s, he managed the Art Gallery Society and was involved in early efforts to form the first Sydney Maritime Museum. Mr Glassford also contributed to the publication of 'The Story of the EDWIN FOX' (Edwin Fox Restoration Society Inc., 1987).SignificanceThe collection documents the change in international cargo and passenger shipping to the dominance of steam powered vessels, as well as the evolution of the Sydney Harbour water front.