Early New Zealand Photographers

SMITH, Sydney Charles

Sydney Charles Smith
1915 - Melba Photographic Studio

born 14 November 1888
reg. 1888/8640, son of Mary and William Smith

died 27 April 1972 aged 83 years, buried Taita Lawn Cemetery, Wellington

married
21 July 1914, reg. 1914/3050 (registered as Sidney)

Mabel Francis Smith
died 7 September 1967 aged 73 years, buried Taita Lawn Cemetery

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 19, 19 July 1934, Page 1

SMITH.— At Wellington Hospital, on June 18, 1941, Stephen Jeffery Smith, aged 12 years, dearly beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Smith (photographer), of 4 Hungerford Road, Lyall Bay.

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 142, 18 June 1941, Page 1

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 824, 24 May 1910, Page 2

Politicians and a crowd, outside Parliament Buildings, upon the declaration of war with Germany. Smith, Sydney Charles, 1888-1972 :Photographs of New Zealand. Ref: 1/2-045239-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22472392

Sydney Charles Smith's photograph taken outside Parliament in 1914 was used in New Zealand Post’s 2014 WW1 stamp issue – 1914 For King and Empire.

Courtesy New Zealand Post.

"In Wellington in the early 1900s, Joseph Zacharia (1867-1965) established himself as a catch-as-catch-can photojournalist on the social circuit. He reproduced his images - and sometimes those of other Wellington photographers under contract to him, notably Sydney Charles Smith (1888-1972), who later set up his own photography studio in Newtown - in the form of hand-tinted postcards ..."

Into the Light : A History of New Zealand Photography, David Eggleton, Craig Potton Publishing (2006), pages 37 - 39.

Blaze in Willis St.

A Live Wire

Fireman gets Slight Shock

At half-past two on Sunday morning, Constable Parkinson, of Manners Street Police Station, discovered that No. 209 Willis Street, a two-story wooden building, was on fire. The constable gave an alarm, and the Central Fire Brigade reached the scene very soon afterwards. The blaze was quickly subdued, but in the meantime house No. 207 had caught fire. This further trouble, however, was got in hand without difficulty, and before much damage was done to the premises.

The lower floor of No. 209 was occupied by Mr. John Hopwell, engineer, and the top floor by Mr. S. C. Smith, of the Melba Photographic Studio [1]. The outbreak is reported to have occurred on the upper floor, and there the damage by fire was considerable to the building and its contents. Water damaged the contents of the ground floor rooms.

Mr. Hopwell had no insurance on his belongings, and Mr. Smith had a policy for £190 in the Phoenix Office. Mr. E. W. Petherick, Lower Hutt, owns the building.

While the brigade was engaged in suppressing the outbreak, Fireman James Garwood came in contact with a live wire. Fortunately it was only a lighting wire of 100 volts, and the shock, though unpleasant, was not severe. Fireman Garwood was able to return to the station on the brigade's motor wagon, and was quite recovered later in the day. Rumours were current in the city during the day that the accident was very serious, but such is not the case.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2361, 18 January 1915, Page 6

Formerly employed by the photographer Arthur Waldemar Schaef.

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 149, 26 June 1935, Page 10

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 106, 6 May 1940, Page 1

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 1, 1 July 1941, Page 1

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 133, 2 December 1943, Page 1

Boating on the Avon, Christchurch, N.Z.
Photo by S. C. Smith, 127 - Published by Tanner Bros.

Entrance to Botanical Gardens, Christchurch, N.Z.
Photo by S. C. Smith, 115 - Published by Tanner Bros.

[1] No other reference to the Melba Photographic Studio or Melba Studio could be found in Papers Past.

SCHAEF, Arthur Waldemar

Arthur Waldemar Schaef

born circa 1867 Australia

died 5 June 1940 Wellington aged 73 years, reg. 1940/25045

In December 1889 a meeting was held in Schaef and Son's premises to establish the Greymouth Bicycle Club. The officers of the club elected included the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr Jos. Zachariah, [then a pawnbroker and engraver in Greymouth and later a photographer in Wellington].

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6640, 28 December 1889, Page 2

It gives us pleasure to announce to our readers that G. Schaef and Sons have succeeded in opening their new furniture showrooms on Mawhera Quay, and have on view the nicest selection of all classes furniture manufactured at their steam furniture factory, Herbert street. Having imported direct from Home the finest woodworking machinery for turning, planing, moulding, shaping, fretsawing; Venetian blindmaking; hair, flock, and kapok teazing machines. Connected with the furniture showrooms upstairs is one of the largest and best photographic studios, where Mr A. W. Schaef will give full satisfaction in turning out excellent photos. We wish the enterprising firm a continuance of public patronage.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9154, 8 June 1895, Page 2

Flood damage along Mawhera Quay, photographed from near the intersection with Albert Street, by Arthur Schaef, photographer, Greymouth

photograph courtesy of Smith's Bookshop Tannery Emporium, 3 Garlands Road, Woolston, Christchurch 8023.

On 6 February 1899 Schaef' and Sons' furniture shop and Arthur Schaef''s studio in Upper Mawhera Quay were both destroyed by fire; nothing was saved. The photographic equipment was insured for £300. The furniture shop was again destroyed by fire in 1913.

Grey River Argus, Volume LVII, Issue 10202, 6 February 1899, Page 3
Inangahua Times, 22 May 1913, Page 1

Mr. A. W. Schaef, proprietor of the Sarony Studios, Ingestre-street, who took some excellent photographs of the recent Bal Poudre in the Town Hall, has been appointed photographer to His Excellency the Governor.

Evening Post, Volume LXX, Issue 95, 19 October 1905, Page 4

Wired that Schaef, of Wellington, has successfully flown an aeroplane on a local beach, so that the great and terrible Schaef is almost the pioneer birdman in the Dominion. Schaef is a photographer — one of the most persistent cameranians the sun ever shone on. At a football match Schaef wants to be nearer the ball than the man who has it, he would climb over a mountain of broken bottles to snap a dog fight and he often takes sole charge of public meetings. Once in the dear dead days of Mayor Aitken's reign — when the Town Hall was brand new — Schaef was suddenly seen by the huge audience emerging on the platform from no where in particular with a tremendous camera and about thirty yards of fuse. He began to issue his usual instructions to the audience — he always took charge — and planted his machine. Then the Mayor arose, "Ah canna permit our new and be-au-ti-ful hall to be filled with smoke!" he said and waved Schaef off Schaef the hero of a thousand fights with officials, the man who would defy the angel Gabriel (or even the Rugby Union) climbed down his shutter unclicked, his fuse unburnt. And Schaef, who never yet fled, is flying now!

Observer, Volume XXXIII, Issue 18, 11 January 1913, Page 4

The Schaef monoplane, built by Mr A. W. Schaef, photographer and inventor, of Wellington, in 1910. The machine is seen rising from the beach at Lyall Bay. The weight of the machine was 2501bs, the wing span 30 feet, and the engine a 35 h.p. three-cylinder Anzani motor. The longest flight, achieved was about a mile at a maximum height of 100 feet. This machine was destroyed by fire through an unfortunate accident.
Free Lance, Volume XXI, Issue 1054, 1 September 1920, Page 13

Mr. A. W. Schaef of Wellington, who built the first New Zealand plane to fly successfully.

Sun, Volume I, Issue 25, 6 March 1914, Page 3

AVIATION NOTES Mr. A. W. Schaef, the well-known local aviation enthusiast, -hose monoplane was accidentally destroyed by fire some weeks ago, left for the Old Country by the Remuera on Thursday last. Mr. Schaef intends to maintain his connection with flying, which commenced some four years ago now, and will visit the principal aerodromes in England and on the Continent, with possibly a trip over to America to see what is being done there. It is likely that he will take his certificate as an air pilot. He has had a good deal of practical experience in the construction of aeroplanes, and understands the theory of aviation thoroughly. He should derive a good deal of profit by his trip.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 112, 13 May 1914, Page 11

Mr. A. W. Schaef (Wellington) is in London on a pleasure-holiday for a few months. He is interesting himself in photography and aeroplaning, and he intends visiting Germany and France. He returns via Suez to reach New Zealand about Christmas.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 27, 31 July 1914, Page 2

Mr. A. W. Schaef, the Free Lance photographer and flying enthusiast, who went Home early in the year, returns in a few weeks' time. While away he has taken the opportunity of bringing himself right up-to-date in the photographic line, and comes back armed with the very latest in cameras. Mr. Schaef will go down in history as the first birdman to make an actual flight in New Zealand. It will be remembered that by a stroke of bad luck his own-made aeroplane was burnt to ashes out at Lyall Bay a year or so ago through somebody throwing a match down and igniting the petrol leaking from the motor. But there is no word that he has a new flying machine packed away in his Saratoga. Perhaps he has concluded that snapshotting on terra firma is safer and more remunerative than making excursions in the clouds.

Free Lance, Volume XV, Issue 752, 28 November 1914, Page 4

NZ Truth, Issue 661, 16 February 1918, Page 5

The Free Lance photographer (Mr. A. W. Schaef) on the war-path in London

Free Lance, Volume XV, Issue 742, 19 September 1914, Page 4

Charles Perrin Skerrett
Schaef, Arthur Waldemar, 1867-1940. (Photographer)
Original photographic prints and postcards from file print collection, Box 13. Ref: PAColl-6407-65. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22578575
This portrait photograph was published in the New Zealand Herald on 31 May 1926, Page 11

A large group of Austin motorcars lined up outside the premises of Magnus Motors Limited and E. Sime & Co., Wellington.

photograph by A. W. Schaef, Wellington.

[purchased November 2020]

The New Zealand Post Office Directory (Wise's) for 1894-95
Schaef Arthur W., Greymouth

The New Zealand Post Office Directory (Wise's) for 1896-97
Schaef A. W., Greymouth: landscapes & portrait at reasonable prices

The New Zealand Post Office Directory (Wise's) for 1898-99
Schaef Arthur, Greymouth

The New Zealand Post Office Directory (Wise's) for 1900
Schaef Arthur, Greymouth

Obituary

Mrs. Katherina Schaef

[Katherine Charlotte Julianna Schaef]

The present month has already seen several of the West Coast pioneers answer the final call, and yesterday another in the person of Mrs. Katherina Schaef, relict of Gustav Schaef crossed the Great Divide. The deceased lady had been ailing for about seven months and her death, which occurred about five o'clock yesterday morning was not unexpected. During her long residence on the Coast Mrs Schaef by her sterling qualities gained for herself a host of friends who will hear of her passing with profound regret. Her husband predeceased her by six years. The deceased lady was born at Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1843, and as a girl arrived in Victoria, meeting her future husband at the diggings there and marrying him in 1861. In 1868 Mr and Mrs Schaef came to the West Coast of New Zealand, going to Fox's, and in 1871 were in Hokitika, eventually arriving in Greymouth in 1890, where Mr Schaef established a business as a furniture dealer which was afterwards successfully carried on by himself and sons.

The deceased leaves four sons and one daughter. The eldest son is Mr Gustav Schaef and the others, Messrs Arthur, Guido, and Theodore; the daughter being Miss Adeline Schaef. With the exception of Mr Arthur Schaef, who is in business in Wellington, all are resident in Greymouth.

We join with their many friends in extending to them our sincere sympathy in their sad loss.

Grey River Argus, 16 May 1913, Page 5

Arthur Waldemar Schaef married Lucy Gleeson circa 1895, reg. 1895/2893

issue:
1. Arthur Gerard Schaef born circa 1897, reg. 1897/9933, married circa 1924, reg. 1924/6299 Linda Edith Jean Galloway (divorced).
2. Oscar Gindo Wynter Schaef born circa 1903, reg. 1903/19468, married 23 September 1927 at Taranaki Street Methodist Church, Wellington, reg. 1927/10697 Catherine Ellen Tonkin elder daughter of Mr. B. Tonkin.
3. Dorothy Mavis Schaef born circa 1907, reg. 1907/514

SHAW, Robert John Hardie

Robert John Hardie Shaw
born 13 January 1870, Union Street, Auckland, reg. 1870/13019
son of John Waddell Shaw and Elizabeth Liddell
died 15 July 1922 Wellington aged 52 years, reg. 1922/6430
ashes buried Karori Cemetery, Wellington, section CH ENG, plot number 48 R

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3895, 15 February 1870, Page 8

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 14, 17 July 1922, Page 1

The Hardie Shaw Studios

c. 1899 to 1903 - 3 Riddiford Street, Newton, Wellington
1903 to 1927 - 54 and 56 Willis Street, Wellington
succeeded by York Studios in 1927

Hardie Shaw (Wellington Photographer)
NZ Truth, Issue 274, 1 October 1910, Page 7

Evening Post, Volume LI, Issue 6, 8 January 1896, Page 3

Evening Post, Volume LI, Issue 119, 20 May 1896, Page 3

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 3, 3 July 1897, Page 5

Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 124, 22 November 1900, Page 4

Evening Post, Volume LXII, Issue 138, 7 December 1901, Page 6

The old Trocadero site in Willis-street is to be occupied by a handsome three- story building, erected by Messrs W. H. Morrah and Co., auctioneers. The tender of Mr. J. H. Meyer has been accepted for its construction in accordance with plans prepared by Mr. J. Charlesworth, architect, and the building will be completed by about April next. The ground floor will be occupied by Messrs. Morrah and Co., and in addition to the usual offices will include an auction-room 36ft by 90ft. The second floor will be divided into suites of offices for letting purposes, and the top floor will be occupied exclusively by Mr. Hardie Shaw as a photographic studio.

Evening Post, Volume LXIV, Issue 113, 8 November 1902, Page 4

Photography
We the undermentioned Photographers of Wellington agree to close our Studios for the Easter Holidays from Thursday, 9th April, till Tuesday Morning, 14th April, 1903:-

Signed by
F. E. Tomlinson, 20, Manners-street. [Francis Ernest Tomlinson]
J. N. Isaacs, Victoria Studio, Manners-st.
Berry and Co., N.Z. Photo Company, 64 Cuba-street.
W. S. Kinsey, Lambton-quay.
Hardie Shaw Studio, Newtown.
J. H. Brown, Upper Willis-street.
C. A. Ogilvie, Airlie Studio, Vivian-street.
York Studio, Manners-street.
Wrigglesworth and Binns, Willis-street.

Evening Post, Volume LXV, Issue 80, 4 April 1903, Page 6

Hardie Shaw Studios

Sir Charles Perrin Skerrett.

Chapman Tripp Sheffield Young :Photographs relating to Sir Charles Perrin Skerrett. Ref: PAColl-6418-1-12. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23117301

Morrah's Building, Willis Street
...A handsome easy-grade stairway leads to the second floor, the whole of which, consisting of a suite of fourteen rooms, has been taken by Mr. Hardie Shaw for the purposes of his photographic business. The studio is one of the finest in the colony, having an eastern aspect and occupying the full width of the building, with a depth of 25ft 6in. Mr. Shaw has also a third floor, which is really a mansard roof, which he will use as his printing offices...

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 14, 16 July 1903, Page 7

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 64, 12 September 1903, Page 1

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 70, 19 September 1903, Page 1

Honorary Secretary of the Theosophical Society.

Evening Post, Volume LXIX, Issue 82, 7 April 1905, Page 6

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 75, 21 December 1907, Page 8

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 312, 26 September 1908, Page 10

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 115, 17 May 1909, Page 8

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 58, 10 March 1910, Page 1

NZ Truth, Issue 378, 21 September 1912, Page 4

NZ Truth, Issue 385, 9 November 1912, Page 7

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1898, 5 November 1913, Page 17

...At the wedding breakfast the usual happy speeches were made, and afterwards Miss Hardie-Shaw, who is at present a patient at the Home [Lahmaan Health Home], attempted to take photographs of the party, but the boisterous weather proved too much, and after trying to take the bride's photograph while no less than four people held her veil down, the attempt was given up amidst much laughter...

Free Lance, Volume XIV, Issue 710, 7 February 1914, Page 16

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2277, 10 October 1914, Page 9

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 128, 26 November 1927, Page 5

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 11, 14 July 1928, Page 3

Death of Mr. R. J. Hardie Shaw

A wide circle of friends will regret to learn of the death of Mr. R. J. Hardie Shaw, which, took place this morning, after an illness extending over some months. Deceased, who was born in Auckland, was a son of the late Mr. John W. Shaw, Deputy-Registrar of Deeds and Lands, and lived mainly in Sydney and Wellington. He entered business in Wellington as a process engraver a considerable time ego, and remained in this until he was taken ill. He was a prominent member of the Wellington Industrial Association, Central Chamber of Commerce, and many other local societies. He leaves three sisters (including Miss Margaret Shaw, who has been associated with him in his business), and a brother, to mourn their loss.

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 13, 15 July 1922, Page 8

The many friends of Mr. R, J. Hardie-Shaw, the well-known Wellington photographer, will learn with deep regret of his death on Saturday last after a lingering and painful illness (reports the Dominion). Mr. Shaw, who was eldest son of the late John Waddell Shaw, of Edinburgh and Wellington Deputy Registrar of Lands and Deeds, was born at Auckland, but had lived mainly in Wellington and Sydney. Mr. Shaw started his career under his father, but felt the call of art and found expression for his talent in establishing with his sisters as partners, the photographic and process engraving business in Willis Street, 21 years ago. His expert knowledge was often called upon as judge in the photographic section at the various shows. Although of a very retiring disposition, Mr. Shaw took a keen interest in the progress of Wellington, and was among other societies, a member of the Wellington Industrial Association and Central Chamber of Commerce.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, 20 July 1922, Page 4

Family

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXIV, Issue 3572, 30 December 1868, Page 2

John Waddell Shaw died 27 January 1896 at his residence Coromandel Street, Newtown, Wellington aged 61 years [1]. He was buried in the Karori Cemetery on 28 January 1896 aged 61 years.

We regret to announce the death of Mr. J. W. Shaw, late Deputy-Registrar of Deeds and Assistant Land Registrar in Wellington, who has succumbed to a painful and now too common disease. Mr. Shaw was the only son of the late Dr. Robert Shaw, D.D.. of Whitburn, Scotland. He arrived in the colony about 1860, and took a charge as minister in the Presbyterian Church, but owing to his voice failing he was obliged to retire, and he entered the Civil Service about 1874. He leaves a wife and six children four daughters and two sons, the eldest of whom is the well-known photographer.

Evening Post, Volume LI, Issue 22, 27 January 1896, Page 3

Dr. Robert Shaw (1795-1863) was a Scottish Presbyterian theologian and minister at Whitburn (halfway between Edinburgh and Glasgow). He was a leader in the Original Secession Church. Author of "The Reformed Faith: Exposition of the Westminster Confession of Faith."

Children of John Waddell Shaw and Elizabeth Liddell:
1. Robert John Hardie Shaw born circa 1870, reg. 1870/13019, died 15 July 1922 aged 52 years
2. Agnes Elizabeth Shaw born circa 1872, reg. 1872/230, died 27 August 1938 at Wellington Hospital
3. Thomas Liddell Shaw born circa 1874, reg. 1874/16657, died circa 1925, reg. 1925/588 aged 40 years
4. Margaret Hardie Shaw born circa 1875, reg. 1875/2913
5. Evelyn Shaw born circa 1876, reg. 1876/12953
6. Elizabeth Waddell Shaw born circa 1881, reg. 1881/3335

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 50, 27 August 1938, Page 1

[1] Evening Post, Volume LI, Issue 22, 27 January 1896, Page

WICKENS, Trayton George

Trayton George Wickens
Manners Street
Wellington

succeeded in 1900 by Ernest John Halford

Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 146, 18 December 1895, Page 3

A photographic gallery in the vestibule of the fine building now completed at the corner of Cornhill and Manners streets indicates the business premises of the firm of T. G. Wickens and Co., who have taken a suite of rooms on the first floor of the building, and the apartments, which were specially built for a studio, contain, besides all the most modern conveniences, a splendidly lighted and roomy operating gallery, in which the firm will be able to make a feature of grouping. The work on exhibition speaks for itself, but especially fine are the enlargements of well-known members of Parliament. As despatch is to be combined with artistic finish, the new firm may expect the patronage of the public.

Evening Post, Volume LI, Issue 3, 4 January 1896, Page 2

Death.— Mr T. G. Wickens, photographer, formerly of Palmerston North, died at Wellington of typhoid fever today. Mr Wickens was married about three years ago to a daughter of Mr Anthony Nathan, formerly of Palmerston North.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 6692, 9 May 1900, Page 2

We regret to record the death at the Hospital this morning of a young business mam, Mr. T. G. Wickens, who succumbed to an attack of typhoid fever. Mr. Wickens, who was only 26 years of age, and who has been in business here for some time as a photographer, was very popular, and to add to the sadness of his early decease is the fact that he leaves a wife and two children. Much sympathy will be felt with Mrs. Wickens in her heavy bereavement.

Evening Post, Volume LIX, Issue 109, 9 May 1900, Page 4