Photographer, R.C.Harvey

[Mike]

One of the better Tasmanian photographers who produced real photo postcards was R.C.Harvey. His cards always have good light exposure and contrast. Printing quality is first class. I have seen over 130 different views by Harvey, mainly Southern Tasmanian including, Port Arthur, Hobart area, shipping and the East Coast. The vast majority of his cards are hand signed by him along with the title. Again the majority have a white border along the bottom of the card where the title and signature are located.

I have been able locate very little information about Harvey. Chris Long's book has little information. He is not sure if Harvey is a professional or an amateur photograper. The postcard on Scan 1 is addressed to Harvey at 154 Macquarie St Habart. It is signed WH. Perhaps a family member? Posted from Portsmouth UK 14/7/10.

Scan 2 was written by Harvey. He mentions that he is ill and cannot have the photos ready the next day. Card was posted 15/12/10

Scan 3 & 4 are top examples of his work.

Any more information would be much appreciated.

[Mike]

Noticed that 4 R.H.Harvey real photo postcards have just sold on eBay.
The prices range from $24.99 (reserve), $53.95 x 2 and a whopping $129.36 for a view of surf breaking in Cloudy Bay Bruny Island.
The vendor was an Adelaide Dealer. I am sure he is happy!! How I wish I brought more when they were advailable at $5 each (or even less).

Mike Simco.

[bob2deelan1]

Hi Mike
I think that he was a professional photographer. I agree with you that his composition and light were usually good to excellent, bearing in mind this was 1890 to 1910 or near.
I have had an interest for many years in this photographer am and also in possesssion of some of his original glass negatives. I have been wondering now for some time as to how to utilise these images. Any ideas?
I also had some hard copies with his writing that I sold some time ago, but they may have been the ones on ebay.
Best regards
Bob

[Ross Ewington]

Here is some basic biographical information provided by the Tas State Archives

R C HARVEY (PHOTOGRAPHER)
01 Jan 1883 - 06 Jun 1965

Born on the Isle of Wight, R C Harvey came to Tasmania with his father, Dr W A Harvey and mother Helen Clayton Harvey, nee Cowell.

On 1 Oct 1917 he enlisted in the 12th Battalion & served overseas, visiting England during this time.

Employed as a librarian for some time, he spent most of his life as a law clerk, but always had a keen interest in photography.

On 5 April 1934 at St Mark's Church, Pontville he married Agenoria Cooper, who survived him. Before his marriage R C Harvey lived in King Street, Sandy Bay but moved to 4 Richardson Avenue, Dynnyrne.

This link is to the archives listing of the above information where you can find links to their "R.C. Harvey" holdings.

http://search.archives.tas.gov.au/defau ... id=NG01029

They sure have a lot of Harvey's photos!

This link is to the State Library of Tasmania's digitized photos by R.C. Harvey

http://catalogue.statelibrary.tas.gov.a ... 8NS1003%29

You'll be "Harvey'd Out" by the time you have looked at them all!

[Mike]

Great research Ross. It would appear that my scan of postcard No 1 is from R C Harvey's father, (signed W.H).

So is it safe to say that Harvey was a very keen amateur or semi professional ?

Regards
Mike.

[Peter Allan]

Heres the Bruny Island Harvey PPC as sold on eBay recently

PPC-Bruny-Harvey.jpg (106.12 KiB) Viewed 9361 times

.

One of my collecting Interests is "The Islands", including Bruny, King, Furneaux etc. Although expensive at nearly $130, I see virtually no Post Cards from Bruny Island for sale. I know of a small number in the collection of a long-time collector from Kingston. This is a nice example, and Cloudy Bay would have been a remote destination when this card was made( and the place is a sentimental favourite as I have spent many weeks of my life surfing there). The quality of the photography and processing is pretty good, although there are a couple of flaws visible, presumably dust spots not removed when the photo was developed.
Any comments about scarcity of Post cards from Bruny ?

Pete

[John Shepherd]

I can feel a booklet on RC Harvey published by the TPS coming on. Have a think about it!

[Ross Ewington]

Perhaps a two or three page article in "The Courier" should suffice at some stage in the medium to long term future (we have only scratched the surface .... or should that be the emulsion?.....so far on this topic).

[Mike]

This is a scan of the only non-topographical R C Harvey card that I have seen. These bits of lace work are some of the winning entries from the Tasmanian Lace Exhibition. The top lace work took 1st prize. No dates (or stamp) must be about c1910.



Needlepoint Lace. RCH.

[Mike]

Peter, another Bruny Island view for you. I have a shipwreck real photo postcard taken at Adventure Bay. Will post under shipwrecks soon (not a Harvey).
I would consider Bruny Island cards rare. Mike.



View, Cloudy Bay S. Bruni. R.C.Harvey Photo.

[Mike]

I have scanned 3 real photo postcards which I am certain are Harvey cards.(They came with other Harvey cards). Unfortunately they are not signed and do not have the location mentioned.
I believe they are of Southern Tasmanian views.

Can anyone identify these views? Could 2 of them be of Bruny Island?

[Mike]

A very nice Harvey card posted from Chatswood (NSW) June 1910 to USA. Underpaid hence tax marking and postage due. This is the only Harvey card that I have seen posted to an overseas destination. Mike.





Tesselated Pavement Eagle Hawk Neck. R C Harvey Photo.

[Ross Ewington]

Hi Mike

re your "where is it?" queries

rch3.jpg (26.55 KiB) Viewed 8988 times

this image is definitely the cove at East Risdon (there are similar RP cards from the same period by Propsting)

[Peter Allan]

I would say the midle card is Freycinet Peninsular, and almost certainly the S end of Wineglass Bay. You can see the granite cliffs of the Hazards coming down to the water and out to sea the Island, I forget its name, which can be seen from the current Lighthouse look out.
At a guess I'd say the bottom card may be Tasmanian Peninsular but not sure where. The sloping Island is very familiar.
Nice cards indeed.

Pete

[Ross Ewington]

Could the third Harvey photo have been taken from the northern tip of Maria Island looking north-east towards Freycinet?

rch1.jpg (24.26 KiB) Viewed 8983 times

[Peter Allan]

Could the third Harvey photo have been taken from the northern tip of Maria Island looking north-east towards Freycinet?

rch1.jpg

That would make the largest island Ile du Foque . I need to get the map out. i suspect its Slopen Island on the W side of Tas Peninsular, from Saltwater River or thereabouts.
Pete

[Mike]

The following army information was found on this web site. http://www.aif.adfa.edu.au:8080/showPerson?pid=130206
It is interesting to note that his occupation is listed as orchardist. The archives list said he was a librarian and later a law clerk

Richard Crawford Harvey.

Regimental number 20713
Religion Church of England
Occupation Orchardist
Address Hobart, Tasmania
Marital status Single
Age at embarkation 34
Next of kin Father, W A Harvey, 366 Macquarie Street, Hobart, Tasmania
Enlistment date 22 March 1917
Rank on enlistment Private
Unit name Army Medical Corps, General Reinforcements
AWM Embarkation Roll number 26/99/2
Rank from Nominal Roll Private
Unit from Nominal Roll 3rd Australian General Hospital
Fate Returned to Australia 23 July 1919

[Mike]

I know this could be a long shot and I could be shot down in flames, but could this scan be R C Harvey with his parents, Dr W A Harvey and his mother Helen? This photo came with a large number of Harvey photo postcards and was the only portrait postcard in the lot. Unfortunately the card is not signed and the back is not written on. Any comments? Mike.

[Mike]

Two more unlocated real photo postcards which I believe to be R C Harvey photographs. I guess they are of Hobart. Can anyone recognise the exact locations? Both cards are unused and again came with the R C Harvey lot.
Card 1. A footy ground somewhere.
Card 2. Parkland an street scene in the snow. Hills in the background.

Mike.

[Ross Ewington]

More great cards Mike!

re your queries:

1) I will see if I can find a portrait of Harvey. Unfortunately, as he was an amateur he may be much harder to locate than Beattie, Spurling et al.

2) I am uncertain of the location of the footy ground. Does it appear to have a cycle track?

3) my "best guess" for the snow scene is New Norfolk.

cheers ... Ross

[Ross Ewington]

Here's a Harvey card "View, Fern Tree" that has just landed on my desk.



Unused so there's no date. Printed on "Empire Post Card" photographic
stock - does anyone have Harvey cards not printed on this brand?

[Mike]

Most of my Harvey cards are printed on Empire paper say 90% a few on Kodak paper and the rest are printed on un-named paper, but one must be English as it mentions "Half penny stamp for inland and one penny for foreign".

A few more interesting Harvey real photo cards.









A christmas card signed by Harvey on the back.







Another Harvey card addressed to overseas, has been "hacked" about unfortunately

[Mike]

Another 5 Harvey postcards. All great photographs! Includes 2 from Coles Bay area.

[Ross Ewington]

Images of three Harvey real photo cards have been posted on a topic regarding Ida Bay postal markings.

To view please use the link below ~~~ to return to this thread, use your backspace key.

http://tps.org.au/bb/viewtopic.php?f=7& ... rt=10#p625

[bob2deelan1]

I have about 170 glass negatives by R C Harvey in very good to fair condition, including some shots of Masons memorabilia, ships, yachts and scenes of Hobart and environs. I am open to a fair offer as I have to move and they are weighty and fragile to move with any ease. There are 3 full plate negs, the Springs Hotel, St Davids Cathedral, and the Carlton Football Team Premiers 1925-26, the rest are mostly half plate glass negs. I also have Beattie Lanter Slides .
Please post if interested.
Bob Mobile +61 (0)420877200