T.E. Richards photographs of funambulist Henri L'Estrange

PXA 7846

fonds

probably 1877

Graphic Materials, Photographs

9682992

4 photographic prints - albumen - 11 x 7 cm

Thomas E. Richards, advertising as T.E. Richards, was a photographer at the American Studio, based at 324 George Street, Sydney, from at least 1875. He had previously been with the American Portrait Gallery, first in Gosford, then on Harbour Street, Sydney. In 1878, the manager of the American Studio was listed as G. Richards, probably a relation. Thomas Richards went on to work at the Roberts & Richards studio from 1879 and the Richards & Co. Royal Studio from 1880 until at least 1891.

References:
Barrie, Sandy. Australians Behind the Camera. Sydney South, 1992.

Sydney Morning Herald. 5 November 1875. Accessed 9 October 2024. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13367196

Sydney Morning Herald. 8 January 1878. Accessed 9 October 2024. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13405468

From a group of theatre-related photographs originally collected by the Sydney actor, stage manager and playwright Alfred Dampier.

4 albumen photographic prints in carte de visite format of funambulist (tightrope walker) Henri L'Estrange, known as 'the Australian Blondin', (a reference to his stage namesake, Charles Blondin) taken as studio portraits by T.E. Richards of the American Studio in about 1877. All four images show L'Estrange in various costumes with props, posing on or with a tightrope.

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

Henri L'Estrange is occasionally referred to as Harry L'Estrange.

Four images inscribed "H. L'Estrange, the Australian Blondin, complimentary card ; T. E. Richards, American Studio, 324. George Street, Sydney" on verso.

Date based on L'Estrange's performances in The Domain, Sydney, from January to April 1877