Walter Baldwin Spencer (1860 - 1929)
Horn Expedition 1894

Walter Baldwin Spencer (1860 - 1929)
Horn Expedition 1894

Walter Baldwin Spencer arrived in Australia in 1887 and in 1894 was appointed biologist and photographer on the Horn Expedition. This was the first scientific expedition to Australia's Centre and was led by the wealthy pastoralist and miner William Augustus Horn.

The journey took approximately 14 weeks of which Spencer spent 100 days on the back of his camel "Baron".

He took two cameras with him both of Melbourne manufacture the 1/4 plate fitted to take roll film. Unfortunately 2 dozen plates were smashed by a camel jogging through the scrub, these included most of his aboriginal studies. Other were scratched by sand grains while more were fogged by light which leaked into the negative holders during the journey.

The Macleay has approximately 150 contemporary albumen prints from Spencers negatives, and although of varying quality provide an excellent narrative of one of Australia's first scientific expeditions.