Bessie and Fanny Campbell photographic album

PXA 7492

fonds

approximately 1882-1902

Graphic Materials, Photographs

9665463

1 album (38 photographs, 20 cabinet cards, 38 carte de visite, 1 memorial card) - 24 x 21 cm

Eliza Campbell (d. 1902) and her husband John Christopher Campbell (ca. 1829-1912) came to Sydney in 1871 with their touring waxworks. Originally named Campbell’s Waxworks Exhibition, it was renamed Mrs Campbell’s Waxworks in Sydney. After selling the business the following year, John Campbell ran a hairdressing business at 315 George Street. Bessie became known as ‘Australia’s Banjo Queen,’ enjoying a successful career performing the instrument. Her sister Fanny often accompanied her on piano. Their brother John (‘Jack’) Campbell (1866-1929) became a prominent theatrical advance agent.

Reference:
Library correspondence file

This photograph album was assembled as a gift to Eliza Campbell from her daughters Bessie and Fanny. It contains chromolithographed decorative images, photographs with sitters in theatrical dress, and portraits taken by Sydney and Melbourne photographic studios including Charlemont & Co, Boake, Creelman, J.T. Gorusand, J. Hubert Newman, Bardwell's, William Lawrence, Talma, Tuttle & Co, Paul C. Poulsen, Crouch, Batchhelder & Co, Gove & Allen, Howe, Goulter. Also included is a copy of Eliza’s memorial card, following her death.

Out of copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales

Inscribed "Presented to dear Mother from her affectionate daughters Fanny and Bessie on her wedding day, 26 March 1882" inside cover