R.P. Moore

Christchurch, New Zealand (1881-1948)

Arthur River, Mitre Peak and Milford Sound, 1923-1928 Reference No. Pan-1036; F

All images on this page except for the last were kindly provided by the Alexander Turnbull Library.
Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mätauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of these images

Robert Percy Moore is regarded by photography historians as New Zealands greatest panorama photographer, yet to the general public he is unknown. He was born in Christchurch in 1881 and died in Sydney at the age of 66 in 1948.

Overlooking Dunedin City, 1923-1928 Reference No. Pan-1822; F

His photography career started in Queensland, Australia, where during the first world war he made postcard views of the area. His ealiest panoramas were made in and around Sydney in 1919.

Greenhill Homestead, Hastings, 1923-1928 Reference No. Pan-0650; F

He was working at Five Dock, Sydney in 1922 and by 1923 he opened a business in Wellington NZ. producing panoramas at 80 Manners Street. His business in Wellington lasted until 1936 and during these same years he also had premises at 379 Kent Street in Sydney.

Interior of Roach's department store, Hastings, between 1923-1928 Reference No. Pan-0570; F

Although Moore worked in Wellington his photographs were national in scope, covering the length and breadth of the country. During the 1920's and 30's he travelled extensively, photographing homesteads of the affluent, major public events, royal visits, group portraits and urban and rural scenery. Moore's photographs are held in collections throughout the country.

Karaka Bay, Wellington, 1924 Reference No. PA6-057

Moore used a Kodak Cirkut camera for his panoramas, a #10 and most views were shot on either 8 inch or 10 inch high film, generally around three to four feet in length. In the late 1940's he sold his camera to Charlie Waters, a Christchurch photographer who in turn sold it in 1985 to Quentin Jacobsen a photographer from Australia.

Hillside farmhouse, Marton, 1923-1928 Reference No. Pan-0744; F

The Alexander Turnbull Library, which is part of the National Library of New Zealand, has the most comprehensive photographic collection in the country. Within this collection are 2489 panoramic negatives from Moore. The library received them tightly wound inside their original film boxes with as many as 24 to a box. Conservation of the negatives was undertaken at the National Library and reduced duplicates were made on 8 x 10 inch film (2 to a sheet). Contact prints of the duplicates are are available for public access and enlarged reprints can be ordered as well.

Intersection of Lambton Quay with Featherston, Hunter and Willeston Streets, Wellington, 1923 Reference No. PA6-008

The panorama below is one I took having not seen the original.

The same intersection photographed with a 1917 #8 Cirkut camera, October 2000 ©Clayton Tume

It seemed like a great place to photograph because of the way the streets intersected at that point. Moore's image was taken on 10 inch film which explains the extra height in his view, mine was on 8 inch film. If you study the two views you'll notice that most of the original buildings are still standing. Most having been restyled because of earthquake risk in Wellington, anything in danger of breaking and falling off has been removed. Moore's photo appears to be taken from the edge of the footpath whereas mine is further in, although the footpath is much wider now. Also notice the centre island is new. An interesting coincidence happened with this photo, read about it here.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Mark Strange, Small but Perfectly Formed: Conserving and creating access to Robert P Moore's Cirkut Camera Negatives, National Library of New Zealand