Series 13: Photographs, circa 1850s -1920

The collection of photography in the Coppin Collection can be divided into three categories: (1) early format photographs; (2) family photographs; and (3) portraits of actors and views of stage productions and scenery design.

(1) A number of daguerreotypes, ambrotypes and glass plate negatives depict members of the Coppin family and their dwellings, and date from circa 1850s to 1870s;

(2) A large collection of photographs – in albums or loose - of the Coppin family and the Bland Holt family date from the 1870s to the 1900. Most are studio portraits, but some are less formal, showing the families in their Melbourne (Richmond) and seaside (Sorrento) homes; and

(3) A substantial collection of studio portraits of actors and other theatre personalities – both Australian and international - appear in numerous albums and in loose form. There are a number of albums dating from the late 19th century, produced in England, that depict stage and scenery designs. These were used as guides for designing productions in Australia.