Discovered in Launceston, Tasmania, these remarkable glass plate negatives remained unseen for more than a century. Carefully preserved within a series of archival boxes, the collection offers a rare glimpse into everyday Tasmanian life during the early twentieth century.

As each glass plate is professionally scanned and restored, new clues continue to emerge. Handwritten notes, locations, family connections and subtle details hidden within the photographs are gradually helping to uncover the identities and stories of the people captured within the collection.

This gallery represents Box 1 of approximately twelve smaller archival boxes discovered together. While much about the collection remains unknown, evidence found amongst the negatives suggests a possible connection to Louis Konrad, who operated a photographic studio at 60 Cameron Street, Launceston.

Newspaper advertisements from the period described Konrad's studio as one of the most complete in Tasmania. Having previously worked as a crayon artist at Sydney's renowned Falk Studio, he specialised in portrait enlargements while also offering cabinet portraits for just 10 shillings per dozen—making professional photography increasingly accessible to Tasmanian families in the early 1900s.

Dating between 1900 and 1925, these portraits preserve fleeting moments from a world long since changed. Men, women and children gaze back through time, their expressions and personalities carefully recorded on fragile sheets of glass.

One of the most fascinating details can be found in the corners of many negatives. Look closely and you'll notice photographers' retouching marks, handwritten names and editing instructions scratched directly into the glass. These working notes provide a rare insight into the photographic process itself and offer valuable clues as I continue researching the people behind each portrait.

More than a century later, these faces continue to tell their stories. Through careful preservation, restoration and ongoing research, a forgotten collection is gradually being brought back to light.

Every glass plate holds a story. Every scan brings us one step closer to uncovering it.