FOLLOWING THE GOLD VEINS bernhard holtermann: photographer, philanthropist, bridge builder. how a lump of gold went down in p h o t o g r a p h i c h i s t o r y. p r e v i o u s ly u n p u b l i s h e d u n e s c o w o r l d heritage-listed photos.
ISBN 978-3-7408-0841-9 A$ 59.99
US$ 45.00/£ 29.95
has lived in Asia for 20 years as a correspondent for the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. His interest lies in the stories behind the names, in the people who drive development forward in the Asia-Pacific region. As the author of several books, he currently covers the southern stretch of the area from Pakistan to the Pacific Islands and spends a great deal of time in Australia. It was there that he came across the incredible life story of the German Bernhard Holtermann, and discovered parallels between the politics of the late 19th century and today.
Bernhard Holtermann emigrated from Hamburg to Australia in 1858, where, in 1872, he unearthed the largest lump of gold in the world. He shared his new found wealth with his adopted home. As he travelled through the settlements, he had the life documented in spectacular images. Holtermann’s history and more than 150 of these impressive photos are featured on these pages, most for the first time, and are now immortalized for eternity.
CHRISTOPH HEIN
dr. christoph hein
AUSTRALIA 1872
CHRISTOPH HEIN
AUSTRALIA 1872
HOW BERNHARD HOLTERMANN TURNED GOLD INTO A UNIQUE PHOTOGRAPHIC TREASURE
bernhard holtermann emigrated from Hamburg to Australia in 1858 as a destitute young man, where, in 1872, he unearthed the largest lump of gold in the world. As he travelled through the settlements, he had the life documented in spectacular images. As a result, Holtermann also created the world’s largest glass plate negatives with a sharpness that remains unmatched to this day. These negatives are now inscribed on the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. Holtermann took these photos to world exhibitions in America and France with the aim of winning accolades. On over more than 200 pages, the spectacular story of the German emigrant and his lucky discovery is told, with the images commissioned by him now available for the general public. Holtermann’s photos impressively document the drudgery of the gold mines and life in Australia during the 19th century. Several modern-day photos and representations of how contemporary artists interpret his work have been included in this coffee-table volume. Thanks to this book, Bernhard Holtermann’s legacy has been given the distinction it deserves for the first time.
CHRISTOPH HEIN
AUSTRALIA 1872
HOW BERNHARD HOLTERMANN TURNED GOLD INTO A UNIQUE PHOTOGRAPHIC TREASURE
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“FOR MAN’S CHIEF PURPOSE IS TO LIVE, NOT TO EXIST; I SHALL NOT WASTE MY DAYS TRYING TO PROLONG THEM; I SHALL USE MY TIME.” JACK LONDON*
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*THE AMERICAN AUTHOR AND ADVENTURER WAS PART OF THE 1897 KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH, ROUND ABOUT 25 YEARS AFTER HOLTERMANN’S SUCCESS. HE VISITED SYDNEY IN EARLY 1900. A BRONZE PLAQUE AT CIRCULAR QUAY WITH THIS QUOTE COMMEMORATES HIM – WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PERSPECTIVE OVER THE FLOURISHING CITY THAT HOLTERMANN HAD FROM HIS PHOTO TOWER IN ST. LEONARDS.
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street scene in sydney’s inner city close to pitt street: while the man in the foreground has been staged, the long exposure time m a k e s e v e r y o n e i n t h e b a c k g r o u n d b l u r r y.
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the first machines and engines achieved more than men and horses.
i n t h e b e g i n n i n g , a “ h o l e i n t h e wa l l ” l i k e h e r e at h i l l e n d i s a way t o wo r k yo u r way u p i n b u s i n e s s .
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m a n y i n t h e g o l d f i e l d s f o u g h t f o r t h e i r s u r v i va l . s o m e , however, showed off their new wealth and had it immortalised on negative plates to send home to relatives. here, randall the jeweller at hill end presents his dog.
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a serious-looking harriett holtermann h a s h e r p h o t o t a k e n w i t h h e r b a b y.
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stylish goods, stylish men: the old shop front in gulgong now forms the entrance to the holtermann museum.
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cabin with lake view: pumping t h e wat e r o u t of the shafts wa s o n e o f t h e most important tasks of the prospectors.
working with gold soon
t h e a e s t h e t i c s o f m a c h i n e r y : t h e e a r ly
became industrialised, like
photographers understood the representation
here with the large stone
of the abstract. here, the grinding plant
mill at hill end.
w h e r e h o l t e r m a n n ’ s n u g g e t wa s c r u s h e d .
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l o u i s a n d m a r y b e y e r s ’ f a m i ly a t h i l l e n d , w h e r e h e e v e n t u a l ly b e c a m e m a y o r .
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