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Circular Quay viewed from Sydney Observatory
Circular Quay viewed from Sydney Observatory

Circular Quay viewed from Sydney Observatory

Datec 1900
Object numberANMS1096[196]
NamePhotograph
MediumBlack and white photograph
DimensionsOverall: 270 x 314 mm
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Mr and Mrs Glassford
DescriptionBlack and white photograph possibly taken from Sydney Observatory looking across houses to Circular Quay. Botanical gardens extending across top of photograph with Woolloomooloo Bay and Sydney Harbour in background to top left of photograph. Custom's House and Government House are visible.HistoryThe donor Roderick Winchcombe Glassford (1920-1995) commenced work with Macdonald Hamilton & Co, agents for P&O in the 1930s. During World War Two he served in the Coast Artillery at South Head, acheiving the rank of Captain. He returned to work with Macdonald Hamilton and became a Passenger Superintendent with P&O. Deeply interested in maritime history, Glassford owned a yacht and was a prolific collector of objects and books. 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. The scrapbooks form an interesting and extensive collection of, mostly, sailing vessels. Many are photographs taken by Glassford of original photos. Some of the later vessels are original Glassford images. Glassford appears to have set out to establish an exhaustive collection of images of sailing vessels. Almost all are faithfully annotated. Some are clippings from magazines and papers, some are original postcards and souvenirs. As a whole they form an interesting collection that is a useful documentary resource.SignificanceThese albums and photographs form an excellent documentary resource on Australian sailing ships and highlight the role collecting images by an avid sailing ship enthusiast and maritime heritage collector.