A group of three original Australian albumen print photographs dating to around 1885, in carte de visite format, approx. 103 x 63 mm, by GEORGE WILLETTS' ELITE STUDIO, BALLARAT.

These really interesting portraits appear to be paper copy prints of ambrotype portraits that were most likely originally taken in the early 1860s. The family would have taken them into the Elite Studio at a much later date to have copies made by Mr. Willetts.

They came from a disintegrated album which had a presentation inscription at the front, dated 1887, from Alfred William Goddard (Ballarat 1857-1910 Prahran) to his second wife, Sarah Jane Fountain (Ballarat 1858-1925 Richmond). My guess is that the sitters in these portraits are members of either the Goddard family (Alfred had many siblings!) who were from Ballarat East, or the Fountains, who were from Canadian Gully. Alfred married Sarah at St. Paul's, Ballarat East, in April 1879. The fact that one of the sitters appears to have been a sailor might be a handy clue for further research.

All of these cartes are in fine condition. 

FREE POSTAGE WITHIN AUSTRALIA.