RARE TASMANIAN CDV – CLAUDE & CECIL FERGUSON – R.J. NICHOLAS – LAUNCESTON c1885–86
A delightful and particularly well-provenanced Tasmanian carte-de-visite photograph, depicting the young brothers Claude Frederick Ferguson and Cecil Herbert Ferguson, photographed by noted Tasmanian photographer Richard J. Nicholas of Launceston, circa 1885–86.
Details
* Photographer: Richard J. Nicholas
* Location: Launceston, Tasmania
* Format: Carte-de-visite (CDV)
* Date: Circa 1885–86
* Sitters: Claude Frederick Ferguson & Cecil Herbert Ferguson
* Claude: Born 17 March 1882
* Cecil: Born 1 August 1883
* Parents: John Albert Ferguson & Mary Ferguson
* Identification: Later family identification handwritten in ballpoint pen to reverse
* Provenance: Ferguson family, Tasmania
* Photographer’s mount: Signed “Nicholas – Tasmania”
Description
A particularly charming late-Victorian portrait of two very young Tasmanian brothers.
Claude, the elder child, is seated at right wearing a fashionable sailor-style suit, with striped collar and cuffs, while his younger brother Cecil stands closely beside him. Their tousled hair, wonderfully expressive faces and slightly informal pose give the photograph considerably more character than is often encountered in Victorian studio portraiture.
The children are posed before a softly painted studio backdrop with a rustic studio prop beneath the seated boy. Photographing children of this age was not always an easy undertaking with nineteenth-century photographic equipment, and Nicholas has captured a remarkably engaging image.
Based upon their known birth dates and apparent ages, the portrait most probably dates to approximately 1885–86, when Claude was around three to four years old and Cecil around two to three.
Identification to Reverse
The reverse bears a later handwritten inscription in ballpoint pen, recording:
“Claude Ferguson 17/3/1882
Cecil Ferguson 1/8/1883
sons of John Albert
and Mary Ferguson”
Although this inscription is clearly later than the photograph itself, it provides valuable family provenance, identifying both children, recording their exact birth dates and naming their parents.
This is particularly important with nineteenth-century photography, where the identities of so many sitters have unfortunately been lost.
The Ferguson Family
The boys were Claude Frederick Ferguson (1882–1972) and his younger brother Cecil Herbert Ferguson (1883–1963), sons of John Albert Ferguson and Mary Ferguson.
The Ferguson family had strong connections with north-western Tasmania, particularly the Horton–Stanley district.
The fact that both children are positively identified makes the photograph considerably more interesting as a Tasmanian historical and genealogical record rather than simply an attractive anonymous Victorian portrait.
Richard J. Nicholas – Launceston Photographer
Richard J. Nicholas was an important professional photographer working in Tasmania during the late nineteenth century.
After earlier photographic work in Hobart, Nicholas established himself in Launceston, developing a substantial portrait practice. He later became particularly associated with the Tasmanian International Exhibition held in Launceston in 1891–92, where he served as official photographer.
Nicholas produced a remarkable photographic record of Launceston society during this period, and surviving examples of his work are now of considerable interest to collectors of early Tasmanian photography.
The lower margin of this CDV carries his distinctive studio imprint:
“Nicholas – Tasmania”
The relatively simple form of this photographer’s mark is also consistent with the photograph being an earlier example of his Tasmanian work, preceding his better-known Exhibition-period portraits of the early 1890s.
Condition
Good antique condition for a photograph approximately 140 years old.
The photographic image remains pleasingly clear with attractive original sepia tones. There is some expected age-related fading, toning, spotting and general surface wear.
The reverse has areas of old paper and adhesive residue, indicating that the photograph was probably once mounted or secured within an album. The later ballpoint identification remains clearly legible.
Please study all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.
A Wonderful Piece of Tasmanian Social History
An especially appealing early Tasmanian CDV combining a known and important Launceston photographer, fully identified young sitters, recorded birth dates, family provenance and a wonderfully expressive Victorian childhood portrait.
Of particular interest to collectors of Tasmanian photography, Launceston history, Ferguson family history, Victorian childhood photography, cartes-de-visite and Australian colonial social history.
Combined postage is always available for multiple purchases.
USA buyers: Any applicable duty is added at lodgement.