Summary

Two men sitting on the ground demonstrating how to start a fire with the use of a firestick and friction. Behind them are two shelters. A possum skin cloak can be seen laid out over some branches. Original photograph in R.E. Johns album, 1890. The handwritten entry in the index at the front the of the album provides a the following information: 'Victorian Aborigines kindling fire by friction 1872'. No other information regarding the men, the location or the photographer has been found to date. The date entered into the index alongside each entry most likely refers to the the date the photograph was created or added to the album.

Physical Description

Albumen print. Adhered to standard cardboard stock. Print is inserted into window mount through an opening at the bottom of the page. The page is sealed on three sides. Mount has gilded edging and the window is framed by a decorative gold border. One of 52 photographs in an album dated 1890 with an index located at the front. Page number "30" annotated top left-hand corner. Image is a landscape turned on its side in album.

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