Thomas Nevin was a rather eccentric personality, which is probably why I like him so much. 😎 He was one of Tasmania’s earliest commercial photographers. When Alfred Bock advertised for an apprentice in 1863, young Nevin applied. A few years later Mr Bock moved to the mainland and Nevin took over the business in Elizabeth Street. It was only a few doors down from the Old Bell Hotel; a serious temptation for Thomas.
I think that facial hair was a fiery red.
Along with the usual studio portraits of worthy citizens, Nevin was employed by the police to take mug shots of criminals, including convicts at Port Arthur.
He was both creative and inventive. Hobart had a somewhat complex system of fire alarm bells and Nevin came up with a novel solution;
We would call attention to a photographic code of signals issued by Mr Nevin, the photographer of upper Elizabeth Street. It is in carte size and therefore especially convenient for the pocket and we believe the price is sixpence. The photograph is cleverly executed, especially the signature of the Town Clerk, which though diminished to a microscopical magnitude still remains as legible and clear as its original on the large bills. (Tasmanian Times, Nov. 18 1870)
MR NEVIN TAKES A WIFE
Oh dear me, Elizabeth didn’t know what she was letting herself in for, but life would never be dull.
Perhaps the quirkiest thing Nevin produced in his studio was a miniaturized photo of The Mercury’s front page for December 23rd 1874. It was on a card measuring 3 inches by 2 inches, ‘Many of the advertisements could be read without the aid of a glass, and the seven columns admit of a margin all round the card.’ (The Mercury Dec, 25 1874)
The following Christmas Mr Nevin took on a rather odd role as live-in keeper at the Hobart Town Hall in Macquarie Street. His name was drawn from a ballot of twenty four applicants. I wonder what Elizabeth made of this? The salary was a modest 30/- per week, with free quarters, fuel and light. Nevin maintained his photographic business in Elizabeth Street.
Fortunately there was a paddock at the town hall for the Nevin offspring to run about in, along with various creatures their father collected. One was a young emu from his own father’s property at Kangaroo Valley. Could it have been the near extinct Tasmanian emu? It came to a sad end when it tried to escape and was strangled in the fence palings.😥 Thomas said he would donate it to the Royal Society’s Museum. (Source – The Mercury, 22 July 1878)
The previous year there had been another animal on show at the Town Hall. It sounds rather disturbing by today’s standards.
Characters like Thomas Nevin inevitably attract criticism, and perhaps some envy. One critic happened to be a reporter from the local paper The Mercury. The newspaper’s premises were located across the street.
We sincerely regret that these trees are allowed to wither and perish for the want of an occasional watering, which might be done by the Town Hall caretaker, if indeed, he does not consider pastime of that character perfectly infra dignitateos Perhaps a word from his Worship the Acting-Mayor (Mr Harcourt) would have the desired effect, and save the trees from perishing. (Mercury, Sept. 19 1979)
Eventually patience ran out and in 1880 he was sacked for drunkenness;
Alderman Watchorn said it was one of the most painful duties he had had to perform, but;
Mr Nevin had certainly been justly discharged after many warnings and admonitions, and the exercise of a great deal of forbearance on the part of the Mayor on several occasions. Nevin had been shown every consideration, but had repeatedly misbehaved himself….The Alderman expressed his regret that in consequence of the bad habits of Nevin, his wife and family might be brought to want. (Mercury, Dec. 8 1880)
Thomas Nevin died peacefully at his residence, then 270 Elizabeth Street, Hobart in 1923, aged 80. His wife had predeceased him. She had died in 1914.
FOR MORE ON THOMAS NEVIN, CLICK HERE.
