Torquay photos unearthed in historic collection

A SIGNIFICANT collection of historic photographs discovered under bunk beds in the spare bedroom of a home in Victoria includes iconic photos of Torquay.

The Rose Stereograph Company Collection – one of Australia’s most significant photographic collections dating back to 1880 – comprises more than 100,000 items that will soon go up for auction.

Original images of Point Danger, Olympic Beach, The Esplanade and even Rocky Point Headland, along with many others taken locally, feature in the expansive collection.

Bidding for each of the 29 photographs of Torquay started at $1 and closes on Monday (June 28).

“There are original glass negatives in this collection that capture the very first moments of not only local Australian but World history and some that may even change the course of history,” said Lee Hames, chief operations officer for Lloyds Auctions.

“We believe this to be a world-first, to offer these tangible original glass plates which rival any modern photographic resolution.”

The collection features significant moments in time such as the landing at Gallipoli (1915), the very first known pictures of Queen Elizabeth II, Phar Lap winning the Melbourne Cup (1930) and even Ned Kelly’s armour taken during his trial (1880).

A statement from Stephen and Jeffrey Cutts, the current custodians of the collection, said: “It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to a collection that spans five generations and 140 years.

“We understand that for these historically important pieces to rest with one family is to deny others the pleasure of their custodianship. It is for this reason that we have entrusted you as the new custodian of our treasured item.”

Mr Hames said it was one of the most important photographic collections in Australia, if not the world.

Winning bidders will receive ownership of both the minted NFT, along with a tangible one-of-one original glass plate negative.

In a world-first, Lloyds Auctions mint NFTs to offer blockchain proof of ownership and customers can bid for ownership on both the Lloyds Auctions platform and in cryptocurrency on leading NFT marketplaces for rare digital collectibles.

The Rose Stereograph Company was founded in 1880 by George Rose and Herbert Cutts who formed a lifetime working partnership and strong personal friendship.

It has continued its operations for more than 140 years and remains an incorporated Australian company to this day.

The company was initially built on stereographs, but as cinema took over and stereographs fell out of fashion, the company developed Australia’s first commercially viable photographic postcard business.

Specialising in postcards of iconic historical moments and significant landmarks, it became a staple of the Australian travel industry.

To browse the collection or to make a bid head to lloydsauctions.com.au/photo.