Summary

One of a subset of 43 negatives taken of Melbourne central business district, Sandown Racetrack and Port Melbourne.

This subset is part of approximately 3,000 negatives taken by Jim Payens, the Melbourne based aerial photographer, and form part of the Payens Collection. The images span the period predominantly between the 1950s - 1970s.

Jim Payens was one of a very small number of Australian photographers to have specialised in oblique and survey aerial photography. He was also one of the earliest Australian aerial photographers. This collection consists predominantly of aerial views of the city of Melbourne, surrounding suburbs and regional Victoria but also extends to other parts of Australia. The Collection depicts a variety of landmark events and major engineering projects throughout Australia including the Australian Grand Prix, Olympic Games (Melbourne & Sydney) and the construction of Eildon Weir.

The Museum also holds the aerial camera and equipment used by Payens to take these images as well as an oral history interview with the photographer.

Description of Content

Oblique aerial photograph of the Yarra River looking east from Spencer Street Bridge showing the area bounded by Spencer Street Bridge, Flinders Street, and St Kilda Road. The Port Melbourne railway line can be seen crossing the river into South Melbourne. On the south side of the river A.W. Allen Confectionery factory can be seen along with other factories including Sennitt's, Holden and the Union Steam Ship Company.

Physical Description

negative; black and white; silver gelatin; cellulose acetate.

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