One of the oldest photographs ever taken of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich has been found in New Zealand’s Public Library Archives where it’s been kept for over five decades and is described simply as a “building with scaffolding.”
Building with scaffolding. Craddock, Gerald Rainsford, 1910-1990 :Photographs relating to the Glaisher family. Ref: PA1-o-191-43. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22834107
The remarkable 160 year old image is attributed to James Glaisher, the famed balloonist and former Superintendent of Meteorology at the Observatory who lived on Dartmouth Hill and who enjoyed two spells as Royal Photographic Society president.
His photo, taken in 1857 less than 20 years after the birth of photography, captures the construction of the Great Equatorial Building, also known as the South East Dome, which housed the Merz 12.8-inch Visual Refractor. About 35 years later the Merz was replaced in the tower by the famous 28-inch telescope.
Charles Shepherd’s iconic 24 hour clock which was installed in 1852 can also be seen in the picture. But to an unfamiliar eye on the other side of the globe, the photo’s recognisable features and significance appears to have been missed and for over 50 years it’s been catalogued with no detailed description.
Other photos from around the same time exist in the Royal Greenwich Observatory archives at Cambridge – such as one showing the rear of the Meridian Building and one showing Flamsteed House. Which picture was taken first isn’t clear but this image of the Great Equatorial Building has a claim to be amongst the oldest photos of the observatory in existence.
Glaisher’s daughter Cecilia moved to New Zealand with her husband Frederick Hunt and it appears some of her father’s photos travelled across the world with her. In 1963, two years after the death of Glaisher’s granddaughter, a collection of Hunt family papers including two photo albums containing dozens of albumen prints was given to the Alexander Turnbull Library, part of New Zealand’s National Library.
That collection includes family portraits and scenes from locations including Devon and Sussex as well some much closer to home. One picture which has been indexed with an accurate description shows Our Lady Star of the Sea Church on Crooms Hill. The picture – probably the earliest ever taken of the church – was mentioned in Father Kevin Robinson’s superb recent lecture to Greenwich Historical Society after it was found online by congregation member Maeve Donegan.
Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Crooms Hill, Greenwich, England. Craddock, Gerald Rainsford, 1910-1990 :Photographs relating to the Glaisher family. Ref: PAColl-1477-1-11. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22641742
Following Maeve’s exciting discovery of the church photo, I examined the rest of the images in the collection and was taken aback to find the recognisable shape of the observatory’s Great Equatorial Tower and the Shepherd Gate Clock as seen from Greenwich Park.
It is recorded in Journal of the Astronomer Royal that the scaffolding was removed on 12 December 1857.
“Home and Park”: Another photo in the Glaisher collection which has not been identified until now shows Park Hall at the top of Crooms Hill as seen from Greenwich Park. Park Hall was built and lived in by architect John James. Between 1722 and 1724 it became home to Sir James Thornhill of Painted Hall fame.
House and park, Britain. Craddock, Gerald Rainsford, 1910-1990 :Photographs relating to the Glaisher family. Ref: PAColl-1477-1-02. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22708237
“Church, England”: St Luke’s Church in Charlton also features in the collection but has not been identified until now.
Church, England. Craddock, Gerald Rainsford, 1910-1990 :Photographs relating to the Glaisher family. Ref: PA1-o-191-60. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23215493
Other pictures credited to Glaisher which could be local scenes include these photos of trees.
Trees in park. Craddock, Gerald Rainsford, 1910-1990 :Photographs relating to the Glaisher family. Ref: PA1-o-191-25. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22634997
Trees in park. Craddock, Gerald Rainsford, 1910-1990 :Photographs relating to the Glaisher family. Ref: PA1-o-191-53. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/22317765
Trees in snow. Craddock, Gerald Rainsford, 1910-1990 :Photographs relating to the Glaisher family. Ref: PA1-o-191-50. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23010275
Could these be local scenes too? Can you spot any recognisable features? The whole collection can be viewed online here.
With thanks to Maeve Donegan for the finding the Our Lady Star of the Sea photo which led to further discoveries; to Graham Dolan of royalobservatorygreenwich.org for invaluable knowledge and expertise on the Royal Observatory; and to Julian Watson for identifying Park Hall and St Luke’s, Charlton.
Thanks for your kind remarks. Will come again to talk about George England and Robert Fairlie and the surviving locomotives of the Ffestiniog Railway constructed in the 1850′ and 60’s at New Cross