EARLY 1900s TASMANIAN CABINET PHOTO – UNIDENTIFIED GENTLEMAN – ALBA STUDIO, HOBART – SIDWELL COLLECTION

An appealing early 1900s Hobart cabinet photograph by the well-established Alba Studio, showing a well-dressed gentleman posed in a formal studio portrait. The mount bears the clear imprint:

“Alba Studio”

“Under Vice-Regal Patronage”

“69 Elizabeth Street, Hobart”

This photograph forms part of the same Sidwell family collection as the accompanying identified portraits and is very likely a relative, associate, or contemporary family connection, although the sitter remains unidentified.

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Studio research – Alba Studio, 69 Elizabeth Street, Hobart

Alba Studio operated from 69 Elizabeth Street, Hobart from the late 1890s through to the early 1900s, promoting itself as a premium photographic studio and prominently advertising its Vice-Regal Patronage.

The mount style, typography, and crest—combined with the handwritten date range on the reverse—firmly place this portrait in the period:

c. 1899–1907

This date range aligns precisely with the other Sidwell-related Alba Studio photographs from the same group.

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Description

   •   Photographer / Studio: Alba Studio, Hobart, Tasmania

   •   Studio address on mount: 69 Elizabeth Street, Hobart

   •   Format: Cabinet photograph on textured card mount

   •   Subject: Unidentified gentleman, formal studio portrait

   •   Collection: Sidwell family collection

   •   Date: c. 1899–1907

The sitter is shown wearing a three-piece suit with high collar and tie, and a floral boutonnière—typical of late Victorian / early Edwardian formal portraiture.

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Size

   •   Approx. 13.5 × 18.5 cm

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Condition (please read carefully)

   •   Image remains clear with good facial detail

   •   Foxing and age spotting present to both image and mount

   •   Mount shows edge wear, corner rounding, and age toning

   •   Reverse with foxing and handling marks, consistent with age

   •   No major creases or tears noted

(Please refer closely to the images—they form part of the description.)

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Why this photograph is desirable

   •   Genuine Tasmanian studio portrait c.1900

   •   Clear Alba Studio / 69 Elizabeth Street Hobart imprint

   •   Part of a documented Sidwell family group

   •   Excellent reference piece for Tasmanian genealogy, social history, or photographic study

   •   Ideal companion to the identified Florence Carrick / Sidwell portraits