Memories on Glass: the Macpherson family collection

Memories on Glass: the Macpherson family collection


Extraordinary images of late 19th and early 20th century Sydney in transition, captured by the Macpherson family over a 50-year period.

PAST EXHIBITIONExhibition
Saturday 6 October 2018 to Sunday 5 May 2019
Admission: Free
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Memories on Glass: the Macpherson family collection


Extraordinary images of late 19th and early 20th century Sydney in transition, captured by the Macpherson family over a 50-year period. The recently acquired Macpherson photonegative collection provides a rare personal record of one Australian family’s life and the world around them. Over 70 images, including original glass-plate negatives, will be on public display for the first time.


A family's memories, captured on glass.
 


 

Photograph of blue latex gloved hands, holding a glass plate negative.

A Library conservator holds one of the Macpherson glass plate negatives, during the exhibition documentation process. 

 

Black and white photograph of family sitting on the grass next to a sandstone homestead.
Macpherson group (right) with the Samora family (left), Warringah Lodge, North Cremorne, c 1886
c 1886
William Joseph Macpherson
Digital ID: 
c071770002
View collection item detail
Black and white photograph of a man with an old camera on a tripod photographing a site where whale bones lie on the ground.
Edward Hume Macpherson photographing whale processing works at Cascade Bay, Norfolk Island, c 1904
c 1904
William Joseph Macpherson
Digital ID: 
c071670001
View collection item detail
A black and white photograph of a crowded beach. Most people are fully clothed in 19th Century dress.
Beach scene, with man in bowler hat and tram on horizon, Bondi, c 1900
c 1900
Digital ID: 
c071150010
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Black and white photograph of a cascading waterfall. A man sits on a rock in the foreground.
Waterfall cascade, with [Macpherson] male seated on rock, c 1905
c 1905
William Joseph Macpherson
Digital ID: 
c071850013
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Black and white photograph of tall ships moored in a harbour.
East Circular Quay, looking south to tall-masted ships, wharves, and Hill, Clark & Co wool store, 1890
c 1890
William Joseph Macpherson
Digital ID: 
c071150013
View collection item detail

Meet the curator

Photographic portrait of a red haired smiling woman, wearing glasses.

Margot Riley

Margot has curated numerous exhibitions and displays for the Library and contributes expertise across a variety of collection functions including research, acquisition and interpretation. She is a cultural historian with a special interest in popular culture, photography and dress and has written and lectured extensively about the Library's collections.

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