Summary

Hand written letter from Mr John Joseph (JJ) Rouse on Baker & Rouse letterhead, 24 February 1891 to, it seems likely, well-known studio portrait photographer Mr Henry Walter Barnett in Sydney. This letterhead shows the very first address that Baker & Rouse operated from, 37 Collins Street East, Melbourne.

The letter, marked 'Private', offers Mr Barnett the opportunity to purchase the Vandyck photography studio space in Collins Street, Melbourne. It describes the condition of the space and price and explains that it is currently being leased for 4 years and was making a small profit. It reiterates that the offer is a private one.

According to Sands & McDougall, in 1890 Vandyck Studio was located in Bourke Street Melbourne. By 1895 Sands & McDougall documents it operating in both Bourke Street next to the GPO and at 274 Collins Street. This letter therefore likely relates to the 274 Collins Street property suggesting it was used by Vandyck from 1891 onwards. It is unclear whether the property is offered as an investment for Mr Barnett, with Vandyck Studio continuing the lease, or if it was offered for Mr Barnett to operate his own photography studio from. If the latter, this was not taken up after the 4 year lease was up, as Sands & McDougall document Vandyck as still at this location in 1895, and in fact right up to at least 1930.

The Baker & Rouse Pty Ltd company was set up by Thomas Baker who operated in partnership with John (JJ) Rouse. The company merged with Kodak in 1908, with Kodak greatly expanding the original Austral Abbotsford factory over subsequent decades.

Physical Description

Hand written letter on thin letterhead paper.

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