Bayliss, Charles. 1850-1897

Aboriginal family group. Embossed stamp bottom left ‘C. Bayliss. Photo. Sydney.’

Numbered 375 in negative.

Albumen print, 14.5 x 19 cm, on old card mount which is gum-marked from recent matting and framing. The image is in very good condition.

Inscribed on backing board: ‘Sydney Antique Book Fair Menzies Hotel October 1987.’ And ‘Gayimai Tribe 1876. The original Aboriginal Pole House Family Stokes Point Warringah NSW. Photographed by C. Bayliss 1876’ 

Stokes Point is on Pittwater at Avalon. The Gayimai traditionally occupied the North Head and Manly districts.

Charles Bayliss arrived in Melbourne from England with his family in 1854. In 1866 he started working with traveling photographer Beaufoy Merlin and through his recommendation, Bernhardt Holtermann, who bought him his first panoramic camera.

Bayliss is best known for his panoramic views and his landscape and topographical images. His shots of Indigenous people are few in number and copies rarely come on the market.