NRS-16714 | School Photographs [Carrington Public School]

This series, if complete, would doubtless consist of an extensive photographic record of the pupils and staff of Carrington Public School. The two representative photographs currently held both appear to date from the decade of the 1890’s. Each is mounted on card for display or framing.The first photograph is of a class group; the class is identified on a slate held by a boy in the front row as “U 3” or Upper Third. It is a mixed class of boys and girls. No names are given. The photograph is somewhat faded, especially towards the right of the picture. Measurements are 29.5 cm x 19 cm, including mounting.The second photograph is of a group in what appears to be a bushland setting; the caption, barely legible, reads “Carrington Public School Excursion.” Again, no names are given. The photographer is identified by his stamp on the reverse of the mounting as Ralph Snowball of New Lambton, who continued in business until the 1920’s. [1] This photograph is extremely faded, and the backing board is beginning to break apart. Measurements are 30.5 cm x 25 cm, including mounting.[1] He is listed in the N.S.W. Post Office Directory for 1920, but not for 1930. Although it is not certain when he first set up in business as a photographer, he was resident at Lambton as early as 1888 (Ben W. Champion, Hunter Valley Register, privately published, 1974, p.634).

这套藏品若完整无缺，无疑将构成卡林顿公立学校（Carrington Public School）全体师生的大型影像档案。目前留存的两张代表性影像，均拍摄于19世纪90年代，且均装裱于卡纸之上，可用于展示或装框。
第一张为班级集体照：前排一名男生手持的石板标牌上标注着班级编号"U 3"，即高年级三班（Upper Third）。该班级为男女混合教学班，未标注任何人员姓名。照片存在一定程度的褪色，右侧区域褪色尤为明显。含装裱卡纸在内的尺寸为29.5厘米×19厘米。
第二张照片拍摄于一片丛林地带，主体为一群师生；照片下方的说明文字模糊难辨，仅能看清"卡林顿公立学校远足"（Carrington Public School Excursion）字样，同样未标注任何人员姓名。装裱卡纸背面的印章显示，摄影师为新兰姆顿（New Lambton）的拉尔夫·斯诺鲍尔（Ralph Snowball），其摄影生涯延续至20世纪20年代。该照片褪色情况极为严重，背板亦开始出现碎裂。含装裱卡纸在内的尺寸为30.5厘米×25厘米。[1]
1920年的新南威尔士州邮政名录中收录了他的信息，但1930年版名录中并未提及。目前尚无确切资料可考证他正式成为摄影师的时间，但早在1888年，他就已定居兰姆顿（本·W·钱皮恩，《亨特谷报》，私人出版，1974年，第634页）。