Harris, Robert, fl. 1880-1899 (photographer)
Dates
- Existence: fl. 1880 - 1894
Biography
Robert Harris was a commercial photographer active in South Africa. He had a studio at Donkin Street, Port Elizabeth, 1880-1890 (Bensusan 1963, p.236). He exhibited photographs at the Port Elizabeth Exhibition 1885 and the Colonial and Indian Exhibition, London, 1886. From 1891 to 1894 Harris was in partnership with Thomas McKnaught (Bensusan 1963, p.236). Harris produced a number of photographically illustrated books.
Publications:
Cowan, Charles (1882), 'Southampton to South Africa'. [Contains photographs by Harris]
Harris, R. (c. 1876), 'Photographic views of Port Elizabeth and neighbourhood'.
Harris, R. (188?), 'Photographic album of South African scenery'.
Harris, R. (1888), 'South Africa illustrated'.
Sources:
Bensusan, A.D. (1963), '19th century photographers in South Africa'. 'Africana notes and news'. Volume 15, number 6, pp.219-252.
Found in 13 Collections and/or Records:
Barkly Bridge, Vaal River, 1888
190 x 123 mm. A view looking along the Vaal River towards the girder railway bridge near Barkly West, with ponies and traps on board the hand-operated pontoon ferry in the foreground.
Central Company's Shaft, Kimberley Mine, 1888
192 x 126 mm. Showing miners and company employees grouped around the main shaft at the base of the Big Hole.
De Beer's Diamond Mine, 1888
191 x 125 mm. Showing winding gear and mining plant at the edge of the Big Hole, Kimberley.
Diamond Market, Kimberley, 1888
191 x 123 mm. A view looking along an unidentified street in Kimberley lined with the small single -storey premises of diamond brokers. Most of the owners are standing on the steps outside their offices posing for the photographer.
Diamond office, Kimberley, 1888
191 x 124 mm. Showing a sorter grading diamonds into piles of various sizes onto a long table, with a figure beside him entering details into a ledger.
Du Toits-Pan Diamond Mine, 1888
190 x 124 mm. Showing excavated land, with winding gear on the lip of the hole in the background at the Du Toits Pan Mine in south east Kimberley.
Kimberley Club, Du Toits Pan Road, 1888
190 x 124 mm. Showing the front facade of the club, a two-storey brick building with wide wooden verandahs, facing out on to Du Toits Pan Road. A group of members is gathered around the front entrance. Founded in 1881, the original articles of association contain, among others, the names of Cecil Rhodes and Dr. Jameson, who for some years shared a ramshackle cottage opposite the club.
Kimberley Diamond Mine, Griqualand West, 1888
191 x 125 mm. A view showing the Big Hole at Kimberley mined to about half its final depth, with machinery at the base and pulleys and winches running down from the lip.
Kimberley mine and town, 1888
192 x 125 mm. A view looking across the top of the Big Hole towards the town of Kimberley on the farther side.
Morning market, Kimberley, 1888
328 x 233 mm. A view looking down from the upper storey of a building on to the busy scene in the market place below. Long spans of oxen drawing wagons loaded with timber and other produce stand in the foreground while an auction of some kind appears to be taking place in the market square itself. The far side of the square is lined with commercial premises with the buildings of the town beyond.
Queen's Hotel, Kimberley, 1888
190 x 123 mm. Showing the ornate facade of the Queen's Hotel, a brick building with an elaborate wrought ironwork verandah. On the gables, fashioned after Dutch Cape Colonial style, the legend '1881 Queen's Hotel' is carved in relief on inset panels. A group of men pose on the step, with a carriage and a team of horses in the roadway.
Washing gear and floors, Kimberley Mine, 1888
192 x 126 mm. A view looking down on washing machinery and plant at the Kimberley mines.
Washing gear, Bultfontein Diamond Mine, 1888
191 x 124 mm. Showing the washing machinery at the Bultfontein mine with a large group of miners posed on the hillside for the photographer. It was one of the larger Kimberley mines.
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