Wherrett & Co.

Wherrett & Co.

(also see Charles Wherrett)  

WHERRETT & CO., 
HIGH ART PHOTOGRAPHERS, 113, ELIZABETH-STREET.   
[ESTABLISHED 1872.] 

Few inventions of the present century are more truly interesting, useful, or pleasing, than that of Photography, for by its aid every object in nature can be reproduced in pictorial form, and rendered permanently available for contemplation or study. The faces and forms of beloved friends are kept continually before us. All the wonders of nature and art are revealed and rendered familiar to us; and the magnificent buildings and remarkable inventions of man are brought in convenient form to our hands, to become a source of continual instruction and entertainment. Without the slightest exertion we may in thought scale the mighty peaks of the Himalayas, the Andes, or the Alps; we may peer into the mysteries of gigantic volcanoes from Cotopaxi to Etna, Vesuvius or Erebus; we may explore the most remarkable caves or grottoes, stand   with wonder before the great geysers, admire the glorious scenery of lakes, rivers, or waterfalls, plumb the depths of ocean, or ascend into the air and study the Aurora Borealis. The "counterfeit presentment" of most wonderful animals from all parts of the known world are brought without effort to our hands. The pyramids and tie ruins of ancient civilisations of Egypt, of Babylon, or of Nineveh, of Rome, mid of the vanished cities are spread in profusion before us, and we may study at our ease the rock-cut temples of India, or the Druidical monuments of Stonehenge. All "temples, palaces, or piles stupendous," ancient or modern, are revealed to our startled vision, and all by the aid of a little " apparatus that can't lie." No wonder that photography has become an essential of our daily life, that nearly every tourist carries a "Kodak," very much as he carries a watch, and that in almost every city or town the professional photographic artist finds abundant employment for his skill.

For very many years Hobart has been an exceedingly good "diggings" for these artistic gentlemen, and the oldest and the best establishment is that of Messrs. Wherrett & Co., of Elizabeth-street. This business was started as far back as 1872 by the late Mr. Charles Wherrett; father of the present proprietor, and is now carried on, by his eldest son, Mr. Charles B. Wherrett, under the, style of Wherrett & Co. As a portrait studio it is second to none in the colonies, and is largely patronised, not only by Tasmanians, but by vistors (sic) during the season, and universal admiration is expressed at the clearness and artistic style in which all the pictures are produced. The progress of the art of photography has developed very many processes beyond the ordinary system of studio portraiture, and of these Mr. Wherrett has taken up three, and made a specialty of them, producing a great deal of really admirable work. In his ordinary portraits, his poses are always good, and his developments distinguished by clearness and softness but from his special plates really wonderful effects are obtained. He uses the silver chloride, platinotype, and bromide processes, and some of his platinotypes are really magnificent, and have such wonderful sharpness and precision of outline, that they may almost be mistaken for steel engravings. Of course in successful work of this description, much depends upon the skilful preparation of the plates before printing, and Mr. Wherrett has on his staff a very expert re-toucher, who carefully looks after this particular process of the art. The firm devote attention to all the various branches of photography, and have operators who have been specially trained in their respective lines. They are prepared to produce photographs of wedding, picnic, and other groups, football, cricket, bowling, tennis, and, polo teams, bicyclists, etc., in the field or otherwise, yachts, shipping, animals at rest or in motion, and all branches of instantaneous photography. Architecture (interior and exterior), monuments, and gravestones, copying and still life, landscapes, etc. They also announce special arrangements for flashlight photography. By this comparatively new branch of the art daylight is dispensed with, and it is now possible to obtain photographs of family groups in their own homes, ball parties, theatrical scenes, and audiences in public halls, lodge and other groups, interiors of warehouses, shops, and buildings too dark for daylight work. This branch has been placed in the hands of a gentleman who has won premier position throughout Australasia for flashlight work, and thoroughly understands the subject.
 
One of the features which renders a good photographic establishment valuable in a city is the facility for obtaining reproductions of the portraits of the past. When friends have departed from the colony, or probably passed to "that bourne from whence no traveller returns," it is frequently desired to obtain copies of their living presentiments, and it permanent, well conducted studio generally retains and carefully catalogues all the negative plates taken so that prints from them can be obtained at any time. Messrs. Wherrett and Co. have a large stock of these negatives, extending back to the year 1884, and are in a position, to a great extent, to gratify "fond memories of the past," should any desire to do so.
 
The establishment of Messrs. Wherrett and Co. is an extensive one, fitted up with every regard to the comfort of its patrons, and polite attendants are always ready to afford Information or to exhibit the work of the studio. The Elizabeth-street frontage, about 20ft. is graced by double plate glass windows, full of specimens of the work done within, and are among the chief attractions of the street. Special appointments are usually made for the sittings, and these are booked and strictly adhered to, the finished pictures being delivered with promptness and despatch.
 
Mr. Wherrett is a native of Hobart, and one who takes a deep interest in everything connected with the progress of the city, although not assuming any active part in public affairs. He is a man of gentlemanly demeanour and good conversational powers, and a favourite with all his patrons, who receive at his hands the utmost courtesy and attention.

The Mercury (Hobart, Tasmania, Thursday 1 June 1899 page 2S