Self-portrait of the photographer, and of a young woman (possibly his wife). Melbourne, c.1865.

Two albumen print photographs with hand colouring, each 102 x 62 mm (mounts); versos with the imprint of ‘H. G. Hodges, Photographic Artist, 83 Brunswick St., Collingwood’; both of the prints and the mounts are in fine condition.

Henry George Hodges is an obscure Collingwood (Fitzroy) photographer of the 1860s. As he does not appear to have believed in newspaper advertisements, there is little that can be gleaned about his career and private life, aside from the fact that Mrs Hodges gave birth to two sons, William in 1860 (at 83 Brunswick Street), and Edward Marshall in 1863 (place of birth given as Fitzroy) during the family’s time in Brunswick Street. There can be little doubt that the gentleman posing proudly with his camera is Henry Hodges himself; and, as both cartes came from the same source in the UK, we believe the other carte is a companion portrait – the sitter likely to be Hodges’ wife. Perhaps she was also the colourist responsible for the oil tinting, which is – aside from the green drape (a little heavily applied) – quite subtle and skilfully executed.