Photographers of Maitland

Kline, Balthazar

Maitland : 1863 -1880

Although Kline advertised his services as a photographer in Maitland from 1863 to about 1880, only two photographs have been identified to date as being his work. While the image above left clearly verifiable by the back of the photo, the image to the right is possibly Kline’s second wife, Sarah Emily Moy, whom he married in 1866.  [1]

Kline remains in Maitland until his death in 1893, a victim of the 1893 flood. Reported as a “sad death from drowning”, the Mercury conveyed some biographical information, viz. that Balthazar Kline was a native of Germany, aged 63 years, coming to the colony nearly forty years ago. During the greater portion of that time he was living in West Maitland, his occupation being a dealer. [2]

Balthazar Kline announced his new gallery in High Street, opposite the Bank of Australasia, in October 1863.  [3] Another new gallery was announced in October 1864, at a different High Street location opposite Rourke & Son, Saddlers. Kline was “now prepared to take likenesses in the best style.” [4]

Advertising photography at Jerry’s Plains in 1871, “staying for a short time”, indicates Kline spent some time as a travelling photographer. 

Flooding proves to be a problem as well as a business opportunity in 1874, Kline reducing the price of portraits  'as a consequence of the Late Disastrous Flood’. [5]

The advertising columns of the Maitland Mercury display the photographers’ competition for patronage, with Moss, Curtis and Kline appearing sequentially. [6]

Kline’s studio name “River View Portrait Gallery” first appears in the Maitland Mercury in October 1874 [10] and remains until at least 1877. [7]

In December 1876 Kline advertises that “Having charge of all the negatives taken by Mr. Nicholas, at Hart’s Portrait Gallery, persons wishing more copies of their portraits can have some, by applying at the River View Gallery, opposite Rourke and Sons, Saddlers.”

The River View Portrait Rooms were the target of theft in May 1877, indicating the equipment in use at the time. 
...the large photographic apparatus had been lifted bodily up and the camera belonging to it gone. He afterwards found it down the bank of the river at the rear of his promises, minus the lens. The apparatus is used for copying large likenesses, and is said to be the largest in the district; it was fitted up and attached to a room which is under lock and key. [8]