Ships from the “Sydney Wool Fleet” at anchor in Darling Harbour. 15 September 1891.

Large format albumen print photograph, 210 x 290 mm; captioned in manuscript in the negative across the lower edge: ‘Sept. 15th 1891. Wilcannia / Rodney / Illawarra / Hubbock / Woolloomooloo / Tartar’, and with the photographer’s name ‘C. Bayliss Photo.’ at lower right; in good condition, laid down on the original card mount removed from a nineteenth-century album.

A rare view of ships from the so-called “Sydney Wool Fleet”, which were managed by shipping agents Alfred Lamb & Co.. The ships’ names written in the negative are deliberately placed to correspond with the vessels immediately above.

We have only been able to trace one copy of this photograph in Australian institutional collections (State Library of South Australia, PRG 1373/32/44, A.D. Edwardes Collection).

The photograph is also uncommon because of the fact that it has a precise date inscribed in the negative, making it particularly valuable for anyone researching the history of wharf and building development on Miller’s Point.

The original owner of the photograph probably had some association with the Illawarra, as there is a small “x” in ink below the ship’s name.