Photo Album and Manuscript Provenance

Click here to view album photos.

Click here to view manuscript pages.

Album dates from the very early 1860s in line with first photos and the  time of Philip's arrival July 1861 or possibly prior to or upon Peter’s arrival. 

Most likely though a gift to Peter together with the notebook For his 18th birthday 9/10

Album found together with Lorimer's Manuscript from same owner in donated bag from same household with old children's books.  9/10

Album and photo described in some of Lorimer's poems including ‘The Sweetest Face of Long Ago’ from 1892. 5/10

Initials and writing on inside cover matches Aunties and relatives in Manuscript thus possibly gift together with the manuscript book to Peter? 5/10

Embossed initial on clasp the letter "C". Was it originally owned by Philip's sister Charlotte?

Photos taken by Sydney Photographers between 1860 and 1870,  7/10

Photo addressed to Miss Mary Martin being Peter Lorimer's to be wife in the album. 10/10 

Photo by H Olsen San Fransisco operated 1864 to 1972 no photo attached.

Conclusion album definitely belonged to Lorimer family member and most likely by firstly Peter Lorimer as an 18th birthday gift and then Philip Lorimer until his death and then passed onto or back to Peter Lorimer or originally Peter’s, together with the notebook, and then passed onto his 3 daughters.

The most probable summarised timeline and ownership of both the Album and Manuscript book are as follows:

Originally manuscript ownership was of Peter Lorimer a gift of both from his Aunt Laura M Henderson (LMH), Aunt Eunice Henderson, Cousin Mary, Mathilde Westerwick, EDL or S, SJS, CL and EL, and family in September 1862.

First 2 photos, one of Philip most likely posted to Peter in 1862 together with the letter of invitation to travel and join Philip, and one of Charlotte and Peter Russell. Both most likely received by Peter prior to he leaving for Australia in June 1863.

Peter arrived in Australia October 1863 and met up with Philip as arranged carrying both Album and Manuscript book. 

Upon Peter's illness and return to Sydney for recovery at the end of 1866, Philip must have retained both Album and Manuscript and then proceeded to populate the notebook with his early poetry, and photos probably sent to Philip by Peter, and possibly inclusive of a photo of Mary Ann in a letter from Peter, advising Philip of her death?

Philip retained both album and manuscript likely until at least 1872 when poetry in the the manuscript finished. At this time both were possibly or probably returned to Peter. Alternately they were both retained by Philip until 1897 until his death then passed back to Peter and remained in Peter's possession until his death in 1917. The later is only possible with reference made to the books in later poetry.

Both were then passed onto the three sisters and retained by them until their successive deaths up until 1961. From here recipients are unknown.

Photo 1/ Group of ladies newer photo no mark on back. Probably Jessie Lorimer and Juanita Lorimer daughters of Mary and Peter Lorimer, Philip's brother, as their visual age indicates after Cecily’s death in about 1951. Jessie at 70 and Juanita at 65.

First photo in album. Two women on right same as those in photo 6.

Photo 2/ Young Lady, B Boake 330 George Street Sydney 1867 to 1878

Most likely taken in latter period 1876 to 1878 due to design and wording on the reverse. Probable to be a photo of Mary A Martin due to timing and position in the album and wedding band highlighted on left hand. Probable engagement or wedding photo as married February 1878.  Note also small corsage with oval brooch possible with the oval photo of groom Peter Lorimer? 7/10.

Photo 3/ Peter Nicol Russell and Charlotte Lorimer (Philip's Sister) Unknown Photographer as backing missing probable between 1859 to 1863 in Sydney on return from marriage in Edinburgh? Colouring technique in line with this time. This photo may have belonged to Peter also and placed in the album.

General picture match especially of Peter Russell 9/10.                                   

Refer photo comparison.

General picture match of Charlotte 7/10

Photo 4/ Lady in Dress mounted on Croft Bros paper with Chapman and Rigney on back leaf as actual card is in 5 pieces.

Stamped on the back 33 South Head Road Sydney. From Sands directory Rigney J K was in 1870 to 1871, Joseph Youdale 1872, and the Alexander Carlile in 1873. After Croft 1863 to 1865 and their successor Moore and Parkes June 1865 to September 1866 George Sullivan Hater and Clothier 1867, and C. Holmes 1868 who finished in 1869.  Is  mounted on reclaimed Croft paper . Chapman and Rigney then 1870 to 1871. Maybe J..E..L.., on Philips return to Sydney or maybe even Maryanne if a copy.

Photo taken in Sydney South Head Road close to where Philip lived and Peter and their connections lived.

Single young woman? Mary or Annie Martin? Possible also to be sister of Mary Ann Underwood, Kate whom Philip also dedicated a poem to.

Most likely to be though after calculated elimination to be Annie Martin at age 18 coming of age photo coincides to 1871 7/10

Photo 5/ Child girl,  A. Cunningham Photo Artist Armidale 1867 to 1902 possible Cicely Lorimer (Philip's neice) in 1881 or of one of the other two sisters. Armidale? 6/10.

Also possible to be a daughter of Janet Russell sister of Peter Nicol Russell who married John Richardson and moved to Armidale in 1872.

Photo 6/ Two Women Lorimer Sisters Justina and Guanita (Nieces of Philip's) unknown photographer as more recent and marked on the back “Us”. Same women as those in Photo 1.

Indication by ‘us’ is only them and that they live together and ‘their photo.’ Cecily living still in Orange.

They lived together alone at this time 8/10

Age difference visual in line with actual age difference 5 years 7/10

Photo 7/ Portrait man small cut out and glued to sheet.. Possible Peter Lorimer was a brooch photo owned by Mary. Check photo of Mary Ann possible wearing brooch. 7/10.

Refer photo comparison Lorimer likeness.  7/10

Possibly came from the wedding brooch owned by Mary Martin/Lorimer and in her photo removed after her death from the peice and placed on paper by Peter and later placed in album by Peters daughters? 5/10. 

Photo 8/ Old Man,  J C Milligan Photographer 84 King Street Sydney, Milligan Brothers 1863 to 1867.  Joseph Charles Milligan 1868 to 1871.

Possibly Thomas Underwood Mary Ann's father? 2/10

Similar facial features to the possible Mary Ann adjacent especially eyes 2/10

Cannot be Nathaniel Martin, Mary Martin’s father, due to Nathaniel dying in 1857 prior to photo being produced. Did Alexander Lorimer visit Australia even if so at time photo taken only 56 years of age? Unlikely to be he.

Page opposite to the possible Mary Ann Underwood 4/10

Year photo taken comparable to age of Thomas Underwood Aged 61 years? Possible but unlikely 4/10.

Possible Mary Martin’s grandfather or Elizabeth Mary Martin’s née Rowe father, John Rowe wife of Mary Rowe all originally from Dublin. They possibly emigrating from Dublin Ireland after Elizabeth's immigration in 1845.  Thus at time of photo in 1865 John Rowe at least 65 years of age. 7/10

Photo taken in Sydney.

Photo 9/ Young Lady, possibly Mary Anne Underwood who died 8th November 1866?  May be a reprint or copy taken to be sent to Philip by Peter on his return to Sydney from Burketown to remember her by? It would seem that the manuscript book owned by Peter in 1868 was retained by Philip in Burketown possibly together with the photo album? 2/10

C F Holmes Photographic Artist 33 South Head Road Sydney January 1868 to June 1869. Having taken rooms after Croft 1863 to 1865 and Moore and Parkes 1865 to Sept 1866. Men's clothing store Caledonia House from Nov 1866. Premises then occupied by C F Holmes from January 1868 then Chapman and Rigney 1870 to 1871. All negatives held by Croft, and Moore and Parkes held for reprints and transferred on business sales. Reprint sent to Philip on his return to Sydney or given to Philip by the Underwood family or posted to Philip by Peter between 1868 and 1869?

Long golden tresses synonymous with the image as per poem?

Age very comparable approx 18 years if original from Croft and is a reprint?

Photo described referred to in his poetry additionally reference to ‘fair bands of blue across his heart’?

Back to back in album with Philip Lorimer

Evidence of being kissed on surface of photo smudge on face 3/10

Album broken at her photo page due to repetition of opening or forced to lie flat during reflection at cemetery or thereafter? 3/10.

Photo taken nearest photographer to her home on road that goes through Paddington. 3/10

The most probable alternative is that it is Mary A Martin at 18 years coming of age photo. Family traditional photo. Album was possibly owned or possessed by Mary and photo retained by daughters years on. 8/10 

Photo 10/ Young Man, Philip Lorimer, Pickering Photographic Artist 612 George Street Sydney 1860 to 1865. 

Probably taken 1861 or early 1862 on arrival in Sydney as wasn't in Sydney from 1862 to 1870. Pickering was at 612 George Street from 1861 to early 1862. From then the studio address was known at 616 George Street following expansion to this address.

Possible sent back to Peter and family with letter sent to Peter advising of his prosperity  if originally Peters Album?

Date taken in line with arrival, and in Sydney per above at the time.

Visual age in line with the time at approx 18 years.

Scar on right chin most evident as per numerous documented jail descriptions later. 9/10

Facial features very similar to sister Charlotte and possible brother photo of Peter. Refer photo comparison  9/10

Features both facial and height very similar to that of known photo of Philip at age of 54 years and the sketch of Lorimer. Refer photo comparison. 9/10