Summary
One of 108 images in an album from World War I likely to have been taken by Captain Edward Albert McKenna. The album contains photographs of the 7th Battalion in Egypt.
Image of the sphinx at Memphis, known as the 'Alabaster' or 'Calcite' Sphinx. According to the inscription this image was taken on the trip Captains McCrae, McKenna and Mason and Lieutenants Chapman, De Ravin and Scanlan took to 'Sakara.'
'Sakara' is likely to refer to 'Saqqara' an ancient Egyptian burial ground most famous for the 'Step Pyramid' of the Third Dynasty Pharaoh Djoser (Netjerikhet) and its associated complex. The sphinx is wearing a nemes headdress and is believed to depict one of the 18th Dynasty Pharaohs. The sphinx was discovered in 1910.
The album relates to the service of Captain Edward Albert McKenna. McKenna served in the 7th Battalion Australian Infantry and was killed in action in Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, aged 37.
Description of Content
The stone Sphinx of Memphis. The statue sits on a stone foundation that is surrounded by water. In the background beyond the statue a few standing men are just visible and groups of tall palm trees stretch into the distance.
Physical Description
Black and white photographic print on paper with a white border.
More Information
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Collection Names
Returned and Services League (RSL) Collection, Military Memorabilia Collection
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Mr J. Willis, circa 1986
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Acknowledgement
Mr. J. Willis
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Place & Date Depicted
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Photographer
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Creator
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Format
Photograph, Black & White
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Inscriptions
Hand written in ink on support underneath the photograph: 'Sphinx at Memphis' Hand written in pencil on back of the photograph: 'Sakkara trip / Sphinx at Memphis'
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Image Dimensions - Photograph
108 mm (Width), 84 mm (Height)
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Image Dimensions - Photograph album page
174 mm (Width), 141 mm (Height)
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References
National Archives of Australia: McKenna Edward Albert, barcode 1949283, series B2455/1. 'Netjerikhet,' The Ancient Egypt Site, at: [Link 1] accessed: December 19, 2012 'Alabaster Sphinx at Memphis, Egypt,' TourEgypt.net, at: [Link 2] accessed: December 19, 2012
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Keywords