Design and Art Australia Online

professional photographer, the youngest son of Captain Joshua Bray RN, was working at 487 George Street, Sydney, in 1865, calling his studio the Prince of Wales Photographic Gallery. The 'lease and goodwill of the above profitable business, together with the most extensive stock of full, half and quarter plate cameras, apparatus, chemicals, and everything necessary for carrying on a large business’ (including backgrounds, cases and a reputed 2060 negatives) were advertised for sale or auction in December 1865. They were apparently purchased by Morris Moss , the next occupant of the premises.

Bray moved to Victoria. In 1866 he was commissioned by the Rutherglen Borough Council to produce six views of the town and other places of interest in the borough to be exhibited at the 1866 Melbourne Intercolonial Exhibition. Working in Camp Street, Beechworth, from about 1870 until 1891, Bray was one of four men who photographed the Kelly gang after the siege of Glenrowan in 1880. In the early 1880s he is thought to have provided varnished photographs on tin. In 1891 he established a branch of his photographic business at Yarrawonga, but died there of influenza in October. The funeral was held in Beechworth. His widow, Elizabeth, continued the Camp Street photographic studio with the help of their son until she died on 20 November 1895.

Writers:

Ashley, Robert W. P.

Date written:

1992

Last updated:

2011