This is the only example so far to emerge from either public or private collections of Thomas Nevin’s studio stamp from his photographic activities at New Town, near Hobart. He used the abbreviation “Thos. Nevin” on his marriage registration form in 1871.
The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery where it is located online does not include this stereograph by Thomas Nevin under his name among his other eight or so images online (some are not directly credited in the Images database although listed in the text only database) even though the verso of the image bears his New Town studio stamp.
TMAG entry: Ref: Q1987.392
ITEM NAME: Photograph:
MEDIUM: Sepia stereoscopic views.,
TITLE: ‘New Town from the Public School’ DATE:1872
The date given is 1872, which is later than the other stereoscopes attributed to Nevin at the TMAG. More likely, this is an earlier example of his work at his studio nearer his home at Kangaroo Valley prior to 1871 when he married Elizabeth Rachel Day.
The earlier date of the mid 1860s also reflects the popularity of stereoscopes as entertainment around that time. A publication called The Stereoscopic Series 1863 was supported and promoted by the amateur photographer Morton Allport.
Another reason for placing this stereoscope at an earlier date is that Thomas Nevin took over the City Photographic Establishment studio from Alfred Bock in 1867 as a full-time business near the centre of Hobart Town..
This image is a black and white print of the original, although it is not acknowledged as such (compare this with Nevin’s other sepia-toned stereoscopes). The “Public School” from which the photograph was taken would most likely be the Queen’s Orphan School which was located in the grounds of St John’s Church from the days of Lady Franklin’s interest in education in the colony.
The view is south towards Augusta Road where many of Hobart’s early substantial private residences were built, although the large building in this image is not readily identifiable.
Another of the “Thos. Nevin” series at the TMAG (not online yet) is Ref: Q1987.388, a carte-de-visite of the school master at New Town Public School, D. Chisholm “leaning on a fence at the gate, Brisbane St, Hobart Town.”
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