Wellington Harbour Board Photographic Glass Plate Negatives, 1895-1955

Descriptive Data

Archives IdentifierAC098Date Range1843-1880DescriptionThis series comprises photographic negatives commissioned by or donated to the Wellington Harbour Board (WHB). It is directly related to AC097 and may once have been part of that series, indicated by correlating subject matter and gaps in the numbering sequence of AC097. It is not clear, however, why the negatives in AC098 were removed from AC097. Photography taken specifically for the WHB was contracted out (for a sample of photographers used see AC065 – Sundry Accounts). This practice appears to have continued throughout the Board’s lifetime (see AC023:194:9). In general the photographic/negative collections were used for record, publicity and reference purposes, with a particular focus on the history of the Port of Wellington (see AC023:194:9). Many of the AC098 negatives correspond to photographic prints in the WHB photograph albums or other photographic material, some of which may have had more specific intents (e.g. AC026 – Grainger Street Photographs). Copies of photographic material were regularly requested by the public for use in publications, for personal interest and for occasions such as reunions (see AC020 - Inwards Correspondence and AC023 - WHB Administration Files). There is even correspondence from the Alexander Turnbull Library expressing interest in obtaining copies (see AC023:194:9). Negatives corresponding to photographic prints in the WHB photograph albums have album references recorded in the Copies field of the individual record item. The earliest original negatives date from the turn of the 20th Century. There are some copy negatives with even earlier dates. Copy negatives have a date range enclosed with square brackets, indicating that the item is a later reproduction of an original. Subject matter focuses particularly on Wellington Harbour Board activities and facilities. It also covers visiting ships, the general Wellington harbour-side area and a survey of Grainger Street (see AC026 – Grainger Street photographs). There is little record of how the negatives were managed by the WHB other than the numbering sequence into which they were arranged. The WHB administration and inwards correspondence series indicate that AC098 was probably managed through the Head Office Department. There are no WHB controlling indexes. As mentioned it is likely that AC098, along with AC099, was once part of AC097 forming a single sequence of negatives. However, the WHB numbering sequence into which they had been most lately arranged has been retained, forming the item number for individual record items. Physically the items are boxed according to size, adhering to safe storage practice.Quantity (Linear Metres)1.5MediumPhotographSystem of ArrangementNumericalCollection TypeWellington Museums Trust

Access Information

Restriction StatusOpen

Related Agencies

Controlling or Creating AgencyWellington Harbour BoardRelationship Date Range1880-1989

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Wellington Harbour Board Photographic Glass Plate Negatives, 1895-1955