1 May – 30 June 2007
Auckland City Libraries holds a collection of over 2000 glass plate negatives showing scenic views of New Zealand from Northland to Stewart Island. The photographs show small rural towns and large cities, street scenes, gardens, buildings and beaches from the early part of the 20th Century. The provenance of this collection is unknown though it is assumed that they were used for the production of postcards. It was once believed the collection was the file of the Tourist Postcard Company, but this has since been disputed.
Most of the negatives in the collection were taken by Frederick George Radcliffe. Born in Liverpool in 1863, Radcliffe ventured to New Zealand in the 1890s. He began his life in New Zealand as a farmer, but his interest soon turned to photography. He became well regarded as a scenic photographer and spent 20 years of his life touring the country taking photographs. From 1909, with the help of his wife and one of his daughters, he operated a postcard business from his home in Whangarei. F. G. Radcliffe died in 1923.
This exhibition shows a sample of photographs printed from this extensive collection allowing us to view New Zealand as it was almost 100 years ago.
For further biographical information about F.G Radcliffe see:
Ringer, Mim. 'Radcliffe, Frederick George 1863 - 1923'. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, updated 7 April 2006.
This exhibition is being held in conjunction with the Auckland Festival of Photography.
Exhibition hours:
Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm
Sunday: 10am to 4pm
Location:
Special collections exhibition room, level 2, Central City Library, 44-46 Lorne Street, City
For more information email special collections
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