Summary

Note: This object includes racist slurs in the original captioning. Such words and sentiments are not condoned by Museums Victoria which considers them to be racist. Historical distance and context do not excuse or erase this fact.

Image taken by Archibald James Campell during the Victorian Field Naturalsits expedition to the Furneaux Group of islands, Bass Strait, in November 1893. It is of sixty-nine photographs in a bound album. The album also includes a map of the Kent Group of islands in the inside front cover and numerous contemporary newspaper clippings relating to the expedition. This image shows a family and their home on the island.

Campbell, a well known Naturalist and Ornithologist, was one of the first in Australia to employ nature photography in recording his fieldwork. Campbell's interest in nature was aroused in childhood at Werribee, Victoria where he lived with his grandparents until the age of 10. His first love was egg-collecting, and his general interest in birds was further inspired by the study of John Gould's works at the Public Library. He was for many years active in the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria. By 1896 his collection of eggs represented 500 species. Campbell initiated the first of several dinners which led to the formation in 1901 of the (Royal) Australasian Ornithologists' Union. Campbell's egg collection along with his vast image collection is housed at Museum Victoria.

One of sixty-nine black and white and sepia toned photographs in a bound album [six of which are loose] taken by A .J. Campbell during a Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria scientific expedition to the Furneaux Group of islands, Bass Strait, in November1893.The album also includes a map of the Kent Group of islands in the inside front cover and numerous contemporary newspaper clippings relating to the expedition.

Description of Content

A family gathered in front of their rough-hewn timber home in a bush setting on Flinders Island. There is a man, woman and three children. The man has a full-length beard and is wearing a cap and the woman is wearing a bonnet and apron. The house has a timber shingle roof, paling chimney and tea-tree fence. Photograph taken by Archibald J. Campbell during a scientific expedition by the Field Naturalists Club of Victoria to the Furneaux Group of islands in November 1893.

Physical Description

Sepia toned photograph mounted on off-white board in bound album with red cloth cover.

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