PORTRAIT UNKNOWN MAN

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1895 - 1905

Subcollections

Overview

Small glossy, sepia-toned photographic portrait of a young man showing his upper body. He is looking to his right slightly and has a moustache and is wearing a boutonnière. (a single flower or small floral arrangement worn on the left lapel of a suit jacket or tuxedo).
Format: Photographic print mounted on stiff cardboard backing.
Attire: A dark tailored suit jacket and vest with a patterned tie and high-collared shirt.
The face of the print has some stains and slight scratches.

Historical information

Talma Studios (also operating as Talma & Co) was established in 1892 by Andrew Barrie (1859-1937) & Henry Weedon (1859-1921). The flagship studio was located at 119 Swanston Street, Melbourne. Talma Studios was highly acclaimed as one of Melbourne's premier portrait destinations.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-37-2007.27

Item type

Photographs

Material

Card

Photo Paper

Width

100 mm

Height or length

150 mm

Inscriptions and markings

Embossed in the bottom right corner is 'Talma/Melbourne'.

Contextual information

This example was commonly termed a 'cabinet card' because it was large enough to be displayed on small cabinets and tabletops in Victorian-era parlours.
The photo is estimated to date from the late 1890s to the very early 1900s (circa 1895–1905). Several fashion and photographic details support this timeframe:
The Neckwear: The man is wearing a patterned ascot tie secured with a stickpin. This specific style of wide, puff-wing cravat paired with a stiff, high-winged collar became exceptionally popular for formal occasions and weddings during the late Victorian and early Edwardian periods.
The Groom's Boutonniere: The formal boutonniere (floral buttonhole piece) on his left lapel heavily suggests this portrait was taken on his wedding day.
The Photograph Format: The physical presentation of the card, soft vignetted edges around the subject, and an elegant thick card mount—is characteristic of professional studio cabinet prints produced at the turn of the 20th century.

Year

1895 - 1905

Primary significance criteria

Historic significance

Last modified

Thursday, 10 September, 2026

Completeness

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