Teenager’s Meccano model in The Age window
“Barry Sandford (17) of Richmond, recently completed this splendid Meccano model of a modern cruiser. It is fitted with four swivelling turret guns, six quick-firers, searchlight, movable anchor rudder and propeller. This model is on view in “the Age” office window Collins Street.” – The Age
Whilst Barry’s model is interesting, and he himself is more than interesting – renowned for his lifelong harmonica playing, vaudeville and stand-up comedy as “Mr Versatility” – it is the location of the photo which intrigued us.
Was this the photographer’s office, and would it give us a clue to his identity? We thought he might be “Mr Duke” as some boxes of Kodak slides were so named! But we later deduced they were most likely related to the Duke’s Centenary visit to Melbourne. However, they did lead us to The Age archivist Michelle Stillman, who held the key to unlock the photographer’s identity.
MCK002 Silver gelatin print by Ellie Young
Published: The Age 14 December 1934
Featured in "Newsworthy: Melbourne in photographs 1933-1936" exhibition at East Melbourne Library, October to December 2023. Exhibition caption by project volunteer, Louise McKenzie.