Summary

Black and white photograph of Kodak Australasia Managing Director JJ Rouse and senior executives posed outside under a tree at the Kodak factory in Abbotsford, circa early 1930s.

Back row, left to right: JE Page, Fred E Manning, Edgar Rouse, John Sutherland, Henry Foote, Slocombe. Front row, left to right: H Beauchamp, John Joseph (JJ) Rouse, GD Cree.

Possibly from an album belonging to Mr Stuart Middleton. (HT 31153, Photograph Album - Kodak Australasia Pty Ltd, Presented to Mr Stewart P Middleton, Coburg, October 1966).

Henry Foote was brought out from Eastman Kodak head office in Rochester, USA, to manage the manufacturing at the factory after the death of Thomas Baker in 1928. This portrait was likely taken in the first few years after Mr Foote arrived in 1929, to commemorate his role in the company.

Mr Baker was the founder of the Austral Laboratory, and then Baker & Rouse, which merged into Kodak Australasia in 1908. Baker had remained a director of Kodak Australasia and been an indispensable technical director of manufacturing until his death. JJ Rouse (co-founder of Baker & Rouse) and his son Edgar were also closely involved with Kodak as directors during their lifetimes.

Part of a collection of research material and artefacts assembled by former Kodak Australasia employee Nigel Beale while he was writing Kodak's company history in the 1980s.

Kodak manufactured and distributed a wide range of photographic products to Australasia, such as film, paper, chemicals, cameras and miscellaneous equipment. Its client base included amateur and professional photographers, as well as specialist medical, educational, defence, scientific and graphic art professionals who used photography, x-ray and other imaging techniques.

Description of Content

Two rows of men posed in informal portrait outside under a tree. Back row of six men are standing. The front row of three men are seated on chairs. The men all wear suits and ties. Two men have moustaches. A woman can also be seen seated on the ground in the background at left behind the tree.

Physical Description

Black and white landscape format photograph, mounted on grey card, with four holes punched in the side binding area of the card, separated from the photographs with an indented line. There are two photographs mounted on this card, perpendicular to the binding. Both photographs have captions written underneath them. This photograph is located at bottom of the page when looking at the photographs and caption in their correct viewing position. Thought to be from an album belonging to Mr Stuart Middleton. (HT 31153, Photograph Album - Kodak Australasia Pty Ltd, Presented to Mr Stewart P Middleton, Coburg, October 1966).

Significance

This item enhances our understanding of photographic manufacturing and retailing in Australia, and specifically traces the history of Kodak and its executive workforce. It highlights the male dominated corporate governance body of Kodak Australasia, which did not substantially change over the course of its manufacturing history. This portrait also features key personnel, including JJ Rouse, Edgar Rouse and Henry Foote.

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