Photographers of Maitland

A Polish immigrant arriving in Australia in 1855 [1], Audet’s photography business is initially conducted in an itinerant fashion.

Audet marries Elizabeth Moss in August 1859 (sister of photographer Morris Moss) advertisements in the Maitland Mercury indicate that by February 1860 Audet has settled in Maitland with his photography business, in rooms opposite the Angel Inn, High Street.

Advertising  advises potential clients as to the effects of particular colours when photographed and suggestions for the most appropriate clothing are made – early days in the public’s experience of photography.

Audet advertises his “Skylight Gallery” repeatedly from March to June 1860 (often directly above or below advertisements by Elijah Hart) where photographs could be fitted in "Cases or Frames (Union or Morocco) in Brooches, Lockets or Studs. N.B.-A correct likeness or no charge. Babies taken daily."  [2]

In June, Audet’s business attention turns to jewellery and watchmaking, taking over the business of A. Goldman. [3]  The photography business continues simultaneously with the jewellery enterprise.

A severe storm strikes Maitland in February 1861 destroying the gallery’s skylight and causing significant damage, but by March Audet is back in the photography business with ‘considerable improvements’. 

The proprietor  is prepared to take PORTRAITS IN ANY STYLE OF THE ART,   including alabaster, portraits, stereoscopic, negatives, and positives. Portraits taken on cloth (without any framing) for transmission through the post. Mr. AUDET'S Portraits are too well known in Maitland to require that puffing which others put forth in their advertisements.

 J. AUDET, Skylight Gallery, High-street, West Maitland. March 1, 1861.  [4]

With financial problems, Jacob Audet is declared insolvent in February 1862. [5]  Ironically, Audet had composed and read an essay at the Maitland School of Arts in October 1861, on the question “Does insolvency clear a man’s conscience?” His conclusion being that the court did not clear a man's conscience. [6]

A few months after the insolvency declaration, Audet ‘erects a first class gallery at considerable expense’, where correct and truthful likenesses can be taken in any weather. “J. A. has taken upwards of 500 Photographs since opening the New Gallery, and confidently asserts that his likenesses cannot be Excelled in the Colony or Equalled in the Northern District. [7]

In August of 1862, Audet advises of his partnership with Morris Moss [8] and two years later, Moss purchases Audet’s business in its entirety.

Audet has taken premises in Newcastle in April of 1863 , to be opened as the Great Northern Photographic Company, while the Maitland business was to also continue. [9]

The importation of improved photographic apparatus features in a July advertisement, as does the information that Audet has taken upwards of 2,000 negatives in twelve months, giving an indication of the volume of photographs being taken. [10]

The introduction of sennotype  is the next significant step in Audet’s business, promoted as a new era in art. [11]
Later (in February of 1865) Audet claims that he is the sole practitioner of the sennotype. [access full article]