Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Photographic postcard of a man at his desk
Photographic postcard of a man at his desk

Photographic postcard of a man at his desk

Date1890-1930
Object numberANMS1109[043]
NamePostcard
MediumPhotograph on paper
DimensionsOverall: 86 x 137 x 1 mm
ClassificationsPosters and postcards
Credit LineANMM Collection
DescriptionThis photographic postcard depicts a man at his desk with a Sands Directory in the background on top of the fireplace. Sands Directories encompassed the Sydney metropolitan area and rural New South Wales. They were published annually by John Sands from 1859 to 1932 and were a residential and business directory. Information was collected by Sands' agents as they door knocked homes and businesses to obtain the name of the head of the household or business.SignificanceThe Samuel J Hood photographic collection records an extensive range of maritime activity on Sydney Harbour, including sail and steam ships, crew portraits, crews at work, ship interiors, stevedores loading and unloading cargo, port scenes, pleasure boats and harbourside social activities from the 1890s through to the 1950s. They are also highly competent artistic studies and views - Hood was regarded as an important figure in early Australian photojournalism. Hood’s maritime photographs are one of the most significant collections of such work in Australia.