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Treasure 32: George Washington Wilson South Africa Photography Collection
2320 George Washington Wilson is one of the great names in 19th century photography, famous for capturing images of people, buildings and landscapes across Scotland. His photography drew attention to the beauty of his country, but his travels further afield are not as well known.
As an innovative pioneer in photography, George Washington Wilson's work reflected the reality and attitudes of society during his lifetime (1823-1893). In our collections we hold a vast selection of photographs and portraits taken by the G. W. Wilson Company in South Africa. These images were taken by his son, Charles Wilson, and Fred Hardie, a company photographer of George Washington Wilson & Co.
The company's photographs of South Africa captured scenes of the country which would have been perceived as unusual and exotic to British people at the time.
South Africa and its Treasures
The majority of British colonization was concentrated in South Africa during the 19th century. In the past, the country was colonized in order to control one of the main trade routes to India. Due to the abundance of resources such as spices and tea, European interest in Africa increased dramatically in the late 19th century, especially with the discovery of gold and diamonds in the 1860s-1880s.
On their return to Britain, George Washington Wilson & Co presented many photographs showing these natural resources, from the Robinson Gold mine in Johannesburg to De Beers Diamond Mines in Kimberley.
Tea was also a very valuable resource, and people in Britain were keen to learn more about its production and its use in South Africa.
Photography and Tourism
The collection held by Aberdeen City Libraries shows local places of interest in South Africa. These photographs capture Cape Town and Johannesburg, two of the biggest cities in the country. Many Europeans emigrated to these cities in the 19th century, due to the discovery of valuable resources in the surrounding area.
With the rapid rise of tourism in this period, George Washington Wilson & Co. looked for new ways to promote and sell their work. Around 1880-1890, they started to commercialize their photography via picture postcards, a relatively new concept in Britain. This new form of media met with huge success as it was easy to write and cheap to send. It soon became the standard way to communicate with friends and family when abroad, a holiday tradition which remains today.
The postcards, in colour and having a standard size, featured many different scenes from South Africa and were viewed as an innovative way to publicize the country - and the works of photographic firms such as George Washington Wilson & Co. Aberdeen: Scotland's Leading Holiday Resort
454 The front cover of a leaflet created by the Aberdeen Corporation Publicity Department to promote the city as a holiday destination. It likely dates from around the 1950s.
The cover features a photograph of a woman at the beach and the description of Aberdeen as "The Silver City with the Golden Sands".
The leaflet folds out and includes a written introduction, listings of things to do and see and various related photographs.
The introduction features an illustration of a black Scottish Terrier (also known as an Aberdeen Terrier). This dog was the tourism mascot for Aberdeen at the time. Aberdeen Official Holiday Guide
455 The front cover of an official holiday guide produced by Aberdeen Corporation Publicity Department. These guides were created to promote the city as a holiday destination and to assist visitors to plan their visit. The guides were distributed both locally and around the UK. This one looks to date from the 1960s.
The front cover features three prominent slogans that were used to promote Aberdeen: "Gateway to Royal Deeside", "Scotland's Leading Hoilday Resort" and "The Silver City with the Golden Sands". It highlights the beach, castles and ornamental gardening as key elements in the appeal of the city.
The title page of the guide features an illustration of Aberdeen's tourism mascot, a Scottish Terrier, and lists H. Webber as the director of publicity.
One interesting feature of the guide is the range of adverts for local hotels and guest houses of the period. Many include photographs of the exterior or interior. Aberdeen Official Holiday Guide
456 The decorative front cover of the Aberdeen Official Holiday Guide from 1958. This guide was produced by Aberdeen Corporation Publicity Department, then under the direction of H. Webber.
The illustration gives prominence to the appeal of Aberdeen's beach. It also includes representations of the Town House, Marischal College and the surrounding countryside. Various artistic and sporting equipment, at the top of the image, symbolise the range of activities available for visitors.
The design includes two of Aberdeen's publicity slogans: "Scotland's Leading Holiday Resort" and "The Silver City with the Golden Sands". The city's tourism mascot, a black Scottish Terrier, can also be seen on the beach. Aberdeen: Scotland's Leading Resort
532 The front cover of a leaflet created by the Aberdeen Corporation Publicity Department to promote the city as a holiday destination. It likely dates from around the 1950s.
The cover features an illustration of a family and their dog at the beach with the description of Aberdeen as "The Silver City with the Golden Sands".
The leaflet folds out and includes a written introduction, listings of things to do and see and various related photographs.
The illustration features a depiction of a black Scottish Terrier, also known as an Aberdeen Terrier. This dog was the tourism mascot for Aberdeen at the time. |