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Three models being served drinkings on a ship
Three models being served drinkings on a ship

Three models being served drinkings on a ship

Photographer (1919-1999)
Date1946-1962
Object numberANMS1404[716]
NameNegative
MediumCellulose (nitrate or acetate) negative, black and white
DimensionsOverall: 125 × 100 × 1 mm
Copyright©Leigh Purcell
ClassificationsPhotographs
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Leigh Purcell
DescriptionImage of three models on a ship being served a drink by a ship's waiter by commercial photographer Gervaise Purcell. HistoryFrom the late 1940s, Gervaise focused his career on fashion photography often his photographs would appear in publications such as the 'Australian Women’s Weekly'. Gervaise also worked on other commissions involving maritime links to the swimwear manufacturer, Jantzen and the cruise ship operators, the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O). He also worked for retailing giants David Jones and Hordern Brothers, radio technology manufacturer Amalgamated Wireless Australasia (AWA) and tourism operator Ansett Airways. Purcell was responsible for all aspects of the fashion shoot from photography to selecting the props, locations and hiring the models. In the 1950s he used a Graflex Crown Graphic camera and flash gun mounted on a tripod which took large format sheet film. While on location only two or three exposures could be taken of each swimsuit as film stock was vulnerable to damage by the elements. After the shoot the images would be proofed and retouched if necessary for the client to make their final selection.SignificanceThese photographic negatives were taken by Australian commercial photographer Gervaise Purcell from the late 1940s to the early 1960s. They represent his work for clients such as swimwear manufacturer Jantzen, as well as retail giants David Jones and Hordern Brothers, cruise ship operators the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O), radio technology manufacturer Amalgamated Wireless Australasia (AWA) and tourism operator Ansett Airways. Many of the images were taken with a Graflex Crown Graphic camera in the 1950s.