Summary

Black photograph album with 11 black and white photographs mounted to most pages. Images depict the ceremonial laying of the first brick for Building 4 at the Kodak Australasia Pty Ltd factory in Abbotsford, 30 April 1928 and workers inside one of the buildings, circa 1928.

During the first few decades of the 20th century, the factory rapidly expanded with many new buildings added to the factory site.

Mr James Gault's grandson donated this photograph album to the Kodak Heritage Collection. James Gault was originally a photographic artist who later worked in various positions with Kodak, probably from about the early 20th century until about 1941, when he left to start a business with his son Robert who was an electrical engineer. He was held in good regard by the company. In 1913 he was rewarded 1 pound for an innovation to stop machinery in the case of an accident, to make the factory safer. When he left the company, Mr Gault and his son were invited to a lunch with the managing director Edgar Rouse in December 1941, to wish them good luck in their new endeavour on behalf of the company directors. In 1928, along with 9 other senior staff, Mr Gault was left 300 pounds by Kodak managing director Thomas Baker after he died. Kodak workers of more than eight years service were all provided for in Mr Baker's will, with most staff receiving from 40 to 200 pounds. James Gault's many years of service and the esteem he was held in by Thomas Baker no doubt contributed to the generous legacy that he received.

Physical Description

Black buckram photographic album with black pages bound with cotton rope and two eyelets. Each photograph is mounted on the pages.

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