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1890s Annandale A Short Walk second edition Marghanita da Cruz with line drawing of Church with steeple

1890s Annandale: A Short Walk

Paperback and eBook (for Available on the iBookstoreiTunes, iPad, iPhone, KindleKindle, nooknook or lulu buy nowLulu) takes you on a self guided walk through Annandale of the 1890s...more

Paperback available at Annandale Village Newsagent, Johnston Street.

1890s

Annandale's Electricity Pioneers | Depression & Politics | Artists, Sculptors & Musicians | Queen Victoria Maternity Hospital

Artists, Sculptors and Music

Narcissus George Arguimbau

In 1891, Auctioneer William Pritchard was nominated for election to the Leichhardt Council by Narcissus George Arguimbau, commander R.N, Joseph F. Broad, Warehouseman and others. 1891 'Advertising.', Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), 5 February, p. 3, viewed 11 June, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article114307396

In 1897, Artist and Naval officer Narcissus George Arguimbau was living at Clivenden and his 5th daughter married in St Aiden's, Annandale. Dictionary of Australian Artists Online. H.M.S.Iris, 1857 / Narcissus George Arguimbau . See also South Pacific Ocean. Murua or Woodlark Island. Guasopa Harbour / from sketch surveys by N.G. Arguimban, Master H.M.S. Iris 1858 and Lieut. E. Reeves, H.M.S. Royalist, 1895, engraved by Davies & Company.

Mariage Church, Newtown, by the Rev. Dr. Corlette, D.D., All Saints' Cathedral, Goulburn, assisted by the Rev. A. E. Bellingham, B.A , Charles Louis Tange, B.A., solicitor, son of the late A. Tange, Consul for Denmark, Delmar, Ash- field, to Kate Frances, daughter of Commander Arguimbau, Royal Navy, Cliveden, Annandale...1889 'Family Notices.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 5 November, p. 1, viewed 26 October, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13748223

Arguimbau Street, Annandale

blue and white tiles on step faceSignor Sani

Sani sculpted a large bust of Garabaldi, in just 6 days, for a Commemoration, organised by Sceusa, at the Garden Palace on 17 June 1882...www.dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/italians" (viewed 2 March 2012)

Sani lived at 120 Trafalgar Street, Annandale between 1894-1900. Other Italians in the neighbourhood were Thomas Riccardi, a singing teacher,lived in Young Street and Signwriter Ramacciotti, lived at 48 Wells Street in 1898. Francesco Sceusa, a draftsman, at 103 Young Street in 1905. Arthur Sarina was a greengrocer at 59 Booth Street in 1897 and at 187 Catherine Street, Leichhardt in 1902. A. Palise a fruiterer at 91 Parramatta Road, Madame Morelli's was a costumière at 189 Parramatta Road in 1909 - www.virtualtour.com.au/melocco (viewed 2 March 2012)

In 1883 James Barnet the State Architect commissioned sandstone carvingsTommao Sani to carve the Spandrel Sculptures for the second phase of the GPO, in Martin Place. In addition to the coat of arms, in the spandrel sculptures on the Pitt Street facade, Sani satired the men of the day.

More about the post office sculptures at General Post Office (www.sydneyarchitecture.com viewed 3 March 2012); See Also NAA: Historical carvings [sculpture] of heads above GPO [General Post Office Sydney] facade poster

Sani's 1893 sculpture "We Won" or "The Footballer" is in the Centennial Parklands in Sydney - www.centennialparklands.com.au. "controversy surrounded the installation" -

"The sculptor of the statuette was Signor Sani, of Booth-street, Annandale..." - 1896 'Statuette of Sir Henry Parkes.', Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW : 1870 - 1907), 30 May, p. 27, viewed 2 March, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71246332

Sani borrowed money to build a new studio at Annandale and Sir Henry Parkes commissioned him to do the sculptures of prominent people for the niches of the Lands Department Building in 1891 (Source: Noel S. Hutchison, 'Sani, Tomaso (1839–1915)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/sani-tomaso-4537/text7433, published first in hardcopy 1976, accessed online 13 March 2020.

The Sheriffs

As well as Sani at 120 Trafalgar Street/Booth Street, Edwinville, at 41 Trafalgar Street (adjoining the Beale Piano factory), has a finely carved curved sandstone facade. The carvings include classical heads and local flora and fauna motifs. This was the home of the Sherrifs

sandstone building Next to Imperial Arcade(168-174 Pitt Street and 83-87 Castlereagh Street), the City Bank Building has a 60 by 178foot high facade carved from Pyrmont Stone. The spandrel sculptures are of women to depict Telegraphy, Justice, Manufactures, and Commerce and Mining, Navigation and Agriculture are depicted by boys at work. The facade is credited to Mr. A Sheriff, of Annandale - 1893 'CITY BANK OF SYDNEY.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 7 December, p. 6, viewed 15 May, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13913652. The spandrel bust sculputres on the Pitt Street entrance to the Imperial arcade are similar to those of 41 Trafalgar Street.

In January 1899, Alexander Sherrif followed up with the Annandale Borough on what action had been taken, to address his complaint about smoke from a certain factory filling his house with smoke and ruining clothes hung out to dry. The Mayor (Allen Taylor) responded that he had seen the firm responsible and that they were taking steps to address the matter and that Mr Sherrif should be informed of this progress. 1899 'MUNICIPAL COUNCILS. ANNANDALE.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 20 January, p. 4, viewed 15 May, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14196221

In 1902, Mr. D. J. P. Sheriff was commissioned to execute in marble a portrait of Mrs. E. Playfair, of Rockwall, Potts Point, and has already succeeded in producing a life-size plaster model of the bust. Mr. Sheriff previously produced portrait reliefs of the late Mr. T. Playfair and Captain Creer, of Watson's Bay, the father's of Mr. and Mrs. E. Playfair respectively. 1902 'PERSONAL ITEMS.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 8 November, p. 8, viewed 15 May, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14496376

James White
Boer War Memorial, Kings Park, Perth, Western Australia
bronze panel bronze panel bronze panel

Photographs of Memorial:
First memorial service held in Kings Park at the Fallen Soldiers Memorial, 10.30am Sunday 25 December 1904 [picture]
The Fallen Soldiers Memorial, Kings Park [picture] 28 May 1915 and
Kings Park memorial service [picture]. Alphabetical roll of Western Australian Contingents in South Africa.

White and his King's Park Memorial are featured in Federation Annandale A Short Walk Marghanita da CruzFederation Annandale: A Short Walk

Sani and Sheriff, were not Annandale's only sculptures of the period. James White, who had his Studio in Annandale, was commissioned to design and execute a memorial to the officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Western Australian contingents who were killed in action or died from wounds or disease in the Boer War. The memorial was unveiled in January 1902.

The memorial at the entrance to Perth's King's Park depicts an officer aiding a wounded trooper. The trooper is holding onto the regimental colours in his left hand, while drinking from the Officer's water bottle, with his right. The officer is standing "at the ready," with the trooper's rifle, and bayonet. The men are dressed in the khaki uniforms of the Western Australian mounted troopers.

White used the "lost wax" process to create the eight foot sculpture. The sculpture stands on twelve foot pedestal. A bronze panel, inscribed the names of the fallen soldiers in raised letters, together with the particulars of the casualties, is attached to the front face. The remaining sides will carry illustrations of events in the war. This stands on a plynth which carries more depictions of the war. 1902 'FALLEN SOLDIERS' MEMORIAL.', Western Mail (Perth, WA : 1885 - 1954), 13 September, p. 10, viewed 9 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article37541828

Having arrived in Sydney about 1884, White worked for Achille Simonetti in 1888-90 on Governor Phillip's monument, Botanic Gardens. In 1892 White won the competition for an allegorical group on the pediment of the Metropolitan Board of Water Supply and Sewerage building; he was paid £252 for the completed stone figures..

Mr James White's successful bronze bust of Sir Edwin T.Smith, KCMG, has especial claims to attention, in asmuch as it was cast at the sculptor's Annandale foundry by the " lost wax " process, and is believed to be tho first autograph bronze executed in the colony by this system... 1899 'THE ART EXHIBITIONS.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 22 August, p. 3, viewed 2 March, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14251756

The Fallen Soldiers Memorial, Kings Park was designed and constructed by James White. More in Federation Annandale: A Short Walk

"The memorial was executed by Mr. James White at his Annandale studio, the trachyte pedestal... Both the statue and memorial at Watson's Bay were designed by Mr. J. Horbury Hunt, who personally supervised the carrying out of both memorials. - 1904 'Statue of Sir John Robertson.', Australian Town and Country Journal (NSW : 1870 - 1907), 28 September, p. 37, viewed 2 March, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71514848

M Australia Sealy (Mrs Harry Sealy)

On the 18th June 1907, Australia Sealy of Abingdon, Albion Street, registered her copyright in two "Musical production-songs, at a cost of £37 each entitled "Tomorrow" and "Forget Him" (copyright no 145).

Tomorrow was for "song" and piano and Forget Him was for Voice and Piano. Both were Published by WH Paling & Co Ltd. White-Simmons Print and priced at 2/= Net.

"Two songs by M. Australia Sealy (Mrs Harry Sealy) were sent from Palings, viz, 'Tomorrow' and 'Forget Him' Love is the theme of each of these, and the melodies are appropriate, with facile accompaniments." (1907 'NEW MUSIC.', Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), 24 June, p. 3, viewed 21 January, 2014, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article115233839)

"Messrs. W. H. Paling and Co. publish two songs by M. Australia Sealy (Mrs, Harry Sealy). "Forget Him" is a music-hall ballad in vaise time in which the composer has failed to reach any effective standard, but in "To-morrow" a good flowing melody will recommend the sentimental song to variety and similar audiences."1907 'NEW MUSIC.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 22 June, p. 17, viewed 21 January, 2014, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14868264

"A song by M. Australia Sealy (Mrs. Harry Sealy) called "Forget Him" which will appeal to lovers of sentiment. It is in three-four time, and a pleasing composition." 1908 'MUSIC.', Queensland Figaro (Brisbane, Qld. : 1901 - 1936), 2 April, p. 10, viewed 21 January, 2014, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article84138927

NLA Trove Tag: M Australia Sealy

"SEALY -The Relatives and Friends of Mr HARRY SEALY late of 42 Weldon street, Burwood are invited to attend the funeral of his late beloved wife Mary Australia Sealy which will leave Kinsela's Chapel Oxford Street Taylor square Darlinghurst THIS THURSDAY at 2 p m, for the Catholic Cemetery Rookwood"1933 'Family Notices.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 29 June, p. 7, viewed 23 January, 2014, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article16963601

Birth: "SHEARER. -June 29, 1900 at her residence, Abingdon. Albion Street, Annandale, the wife of John Shearer, jun., a daughter." (1900 'Family Notices.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 7 July, p. 1, viewed 23 January, 2014, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14322435)

This page www.ramin.com.au/annandale/story3-1-sculptures.shtml last updated: 13 March 2020.