Russell Sandeman in Tasmania 1945
Russell Sandeman was a photographer with a studio at 84 Le Hunte Street, Wayville, Adelaide. Phone: U5716, according to the studio stamp on the verso of the three portraits of himself (on viewer’s left in two) and an unknown travelling companion/photographer.
Provenance: purchased from a stall at the Kingston Markets, Canberra.
Copyright Text and Images © KLW NFC Imprint 2011
VERSO Transcript:
“On the road to Scottsdale (TAS) at this point approx. 15-20 miles from Launceston. Country like this abounds on this glorious scenic trip. This very scene would remind one of a forest taken from “Alice in Wonderland”, or perhaps a scene that could come out of “A Midsummer’s Night ‘s Dream”. On both occasions, of course, the modern car would have to be removed! For many miles the road winds back and forth with little time to “straighten up”, which, of course, gives the route greater scenic value. 1945
PRINTED from VERICHROME”.
The verso of this photograph bears a comment about the route, handwritten in pencil. The two literary allusions intend to convey to the recipient (if there was one) that the writer is educated and profoudly so in matters of English literature. The car – a Vauxhall perhaps – appears in several of these scenes, photographed by either Sandeman or his friend driving it.
The two men handling cameras in the three other photographs (below) are assumed to be Russell Sandeman (taller man) and his unknown travelling companion/photographer. A third person was present, the person taking their photograph. All three appear to be engaged in a conversation about the merits of the cameras in their hands. One of the objects may even be binoculars, if this man on the left is assumed to be at once the (press) photographer Russell Sandeman AND the racing commentator (see newpaper clips below)..
Russell Sandeman (on left) with unknown companion ca. 1945. All three portraits bear Sandeman’s blind stamp on recto.
Provenance: purchased from a stall at the Kingston Markets, Canberra.
Copyright Text and Images © KLW NFC Imprint 2011
RUSSELL SANDEMAN: Other Works
A person called Russell Sandeman appears in various newspaper reports of the 1930s-1940s as a racing commentator in Perth, W.A., who moved to Adelaide to become the editor of the salacious tabloid called TRUTH. He may be the same individual who became the photographer with the Adelaide studio at Le Hunte St. Adelaide. Sandeman the photographer appears to have taken photographs on commission for various businesses such as Harris Scarfe and Myer, both department stores and of local theatres and cinemas.
The State Library of NSW holds a few examples of Sandeman’s work, per these catalogue entries:
1. Title: Sandeman, Russell
Linked Records : 2
Photographer, 34 Le Hunte Street, Wayville, Adelaide (ca. 1945)
Title John Fraser – film and theatre photographs, 1935-1985
Level of Description Series
Date of Work 1935-1985
Type of Material Graphic Materials
Call Number PXA 1112 Box 21
Physical Description Photographs : 72 silver gelatin photoprints ; 25.7 x 30.5 cm. or smaller
INCLUDED IN THIS SERIES ARE:
4. Harris Scarfe window advertisement for Cover girl at Wests Theatre, Adelaide, 1944 / Russell Sandeman
18-20. Myer shop windows for film Love at first flight, and novel Ring twice for Laura, Adlelaide, 1944 / Russell Sandeman
21. Harris Scarfe window advertisement for Cover girl at Wests Theatre, Adelaide, 1944 / Russell Sandeman
*****************
2. Title Roberts and Hall (Architects): photographs of Adelaide and South Australian city and suburban theatre and cinema interiors and exteriors, ca. 1935-1962
Level of Description Item
Date of Work ca. 1935-1962
Type of Material Graphic Materials
Call Number PXA 764 / 681-747
INCLUDED IN THIS SERIES by RUSSELL SANDEMAN
697-706. Plaza Theatre, Adelaide (interior, previously Empress Ballroom) / Russell Sandeman
745-747. Unidentified South Australian small theatre or theatrette (interior) / Russell Sandeman
RUSSELL SANDEMAN: Possibly Related BIOGRAPHICA
“Miss Doreen Andrews of Nedlands, whose marriage to Mr. Russell Sandeman, of Perth, will be solemnised in the Wesley Church on Tuesday, June 7, [1932] at 5.30pm, prior to their departure for Adelaide where Mr. Sandeman will take up a position with the Press of that city.
“WITH JOHN JAMES AT THE RACES
Russell Sandeman
One of the most interesting of Australia’s one-time radio sporting commentators is Russell Sandeman, who is spending his annual leave from Adelaide in Perth where he spent his boyhood. Before going to Adelaide to take up the management of Adelaide “Truth”, Mr. Sandeman broadcast the running of the local trots. His services were secured by the National station in Adelaide when he transferrred to South Australia and for years he regularly broadcast the Adealide trots. During the last few years, however, his managerial activities have increased to such an extant that he retired from actual broadcasting.”
There is no mention of photography in either newspaper clip. However, if it is the same Sandeman as the photographer, perhaps photography was part of his journalistic and managerial activities at the TRUTH, or even a business he set up on retirement from broadcasting.
