Elijah Hart
Maitland : 1854 – 1873
Elijah Hart advertises his daguerreotype portraits in Sydney in 1852 and two years later advises that he is closing his Sydney studio and proceed on a tour ‘of the interior. ’ [1] By the end of May, 1854, Hart had arrived at Maitland advertising as a Daguerrean artist, available at the Northumberland Hotel. More elaborate advertising appears in June: [2]
Hart's Daguerreotype Portrait Gallery. E. HART, in announcing his arrival at the
Northumberland Hotel, West Maitland, begs respectfully to invite public attention
to the SPLENDID MINIATURES he is now taking in Daguerreotype or by the new
Xylo-graphic or Glass Process. These pictures are tree from any metallic reflection,
may be seen in any position through the glass on which they are taken, and every
thing appears natural, and not reversed. They are indestructible by time, and
possess a richness of tone, exquisite softness, combined with the beautiful delineation.
Northumberland Hotel, West Maitland. Open from 9 till 4. June 3rd, 1854.
Throughout July and August 1854, Hart advertises that his stay in Maitland “will not be so long as originally intended”, having to return to Sydney to arrange business, prior to his intended visit to Patrick’s Plains, Newcastle and the surrounding districts. Hart’s Daguerrean Gallery at the Northumberland Hotel closes in October 1854. [3]
Hart relocates to Newcastle for November and reappears back in Sydney for a number of months, but in June of 1855 Hart reopens in Maitland, resuming his profession in one of the cottages known as Early’s Terrace, while his new gallery is being built. [4]
Hart makes good use of “opinions of the press” in his advertising, noting his ‘magnificent apparatus’: [5]
"The productions of Mr Hart's magnificent apparatus are the most perfect of any we have seen in the colony."- Bell's Life, January.
Only a few days later, Hart places an advertisement indicating his intention to ‘go into another profession’ hence a great reduction in prices. [6]
This change of profession apparently never occurred at this time, as Hart continues his photography business in Maitland, advertising in 1856 that portraits are taken in all branches of photography, viz. daguerreotype, callotype, xylography or glass pictures. [7] By January of 1857 Hart is located in High Street, using a lengthy advertisement [access full article], extolling the virtues of photography as an art form, the very perfection of apparatus used by Hart and suggestions for dress for both ladies and gentlemen to ensure the best image is obtained. [8]
It is in September 1857 when Hart's first flood photographs are reported. [9]
Hart’s dainty collodiotypes are mentioned in the Maitland Mercury:
We were shown the other day a miniature portrait executed in collodiotype by Mr. E. Hart, of Maitland, and set in a small locket. The portrait was admirably distinct and sharp and we notice it as being considerably smaller than any collodiotype portrait we have ever seen. [10]
After advertising his intention to ‘shortly visit the country districts to take portraits’ (specifying Patricks’ Plains and Wollombi) the Hart’s property is described in a notice ‘to let’ : [11]
Those DESIRABLE BUSINESS PREMISES, next the Joint Stock Bank, known a
Hart's Portrait Gallery, containing 9 rooms, viz , Ground Floor shop, 18 x 30,
two parlours, suitable for offices, kitchen, fitted with oven, range, and bath
boiler; First floor - four bedrooms, 15 x 12, drawing-room, 16 x 21.
Large enclosed yard, with sheds, &c. , kitchen and flower garden.
The end of August sees Hart advertising the new milleniatypes - the latest improvement in portraiture, which are taken on leather or oil-cloth. Advantages are described as durability, not liable to fracture and can be bent without injury. [12]
A major change in Hart’s business affairs takes place in January of 1859, when he opens his “Maitland Auction Mart” at 'those central and spacious premises known as Hart's Portrait Gallery.' Sale stock comprised colonial produce, furniture and general merchandise, with Hart as Auctioneer and General Commission Agent, although he continues advertising for portrait production at the same time.
Through July and August of 1859 photographic competitor Roggenkamp is also advertising, so Hart again relies on an innovative photographic process, viz. alabastrine ambrotype, to stand out from the competition. [13]
In another shift of business focus, at least part of Hart’s photographic gallery becomes a drapery saleroom in April 1860, with ‘bargains that will astonish everybody’!! [14]
Portraits continue to be taken as well.
In June 1862, Hart’s premises are enlarged, but a few months’ later, he informs the public that his portrait gallery is finally closed. [15]
Newcastle appears to have been Hart’s location until about April of 1863, then he reopens the Maitland gallery with entirely new stock and the services of first-class assistants.[16]
It’s back to business with Hart’s snappy little multiple advertisements, including a favourite phrase:
All portraits taken at Hart’s gallery are warranted not to fade, spot, or turn brown. [17]
Hart modernizes his equipment withthe new invention of a diamond cameo portrait camera, for taking four positions on one card.[7]
The portrait gallery is enlarged at the end of 1866, calling for tenders in October and announcing closure for a week while making ‘extensive renovations.’ [19]
In 1868 the Mercury admires Hart’s latest efforts: photographs on paper or card approaching life-size, and have been produced by throwing on the sensitive paper the reflected images of ordinary cartes de visite, magnified by passing through a lens... striking specimens of successful portraiture, in a style rarely attempted. [20]
Hart’s photographic business draws to an end in the 1870s, but there are some significant highlights, one of which is the depiction from the Illustrated Sydney News.Mr. Elijah Hart, of West Maitland, has furnished the series of photographs from which our illustrations of the Hunter River floods are taken. [21]
The Intercolonial Exhibition proved to be successful, the special correspondent in Sydney noting that ‘Mr. E. Hart, the photographer, has some nice specimens in his line, which have attracted attention amongst connoisseurs.’ [22]
In June of 1872 tenders are called for ‘erecting a colonnade’, applications forwarded to Harts Gallery.
The successful architect was J.W. Pender with the colonnade being erected "in front of the premises formerly occupied by Mr E Hart as a portrait gallery, but which we believe are to be opened in another business." [23]
In December of 1873 Hart announces that he has disposed of his interest in the photographic business to Arthur Curtis and Hart’s new toy and fancy repository store is opened next door to the portrait gallery. [24]
Hart continues in this business (known as the Rocking Horse Toy and Fancy Warehouse) until 1876, with the ‘commodious premises’ then being leased to the government for use as the post office. [25]
In November of 1878, Robert Baxter takes over the former Hart gallery.
Elijah Hart dies in 1893 at Woollahra, Sydney, aged 72.
Image of Elijah Hart from St. Paul's Church History.