Collins Street looking East circa 1890 by Robert Vere Scott

Robert Vere Scott's most important work was in the panoramic format. Photo historian Gael Newton has determined from the 16.0 x 50.0 cm format of his photograph “Camels and men gather at the start of the expedition to survey the Trans-Australian Railway” that he was using a Kodak Panoram No. 4 camera released in 1899, or the No. 1 of 1900. These panoramic cameras used 120 roll film for ease of use and had a rotating lens and curved back and encompassed a view of between 112 and 142 degrees. Panoramic views of course had been produced in Australia since the late 1840s but these turn-of-the-century cameras made it possible to encompass the whole view in a sweep on one piece of film, rather than laboriously piecing together panoramas from a series of separate glass plates.
Source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Vere_Scott

These 120+ year old images have survived remarkably well, thanks to the care of our historic institutions. We thank the State Library of Victoria for the use of this image Panoramic view of Melbourne looking east along Collins Street. Identifier(s): H96.160/917

I also thank my good friend, Ernst Zimmer, for the remarkable work that he has done to edit and enhance this large image and share it with us. A true labour of love and skill!