by Rose Rushe
CENTRAL to Limerick City Museum at City Hall are three glass cabinets showcasing the cameras, lenses, catalogues, references, letters, even the pince-nez and pipe of Franz S Haselbeck photographer, 1885-1973.
From his studio in Wolfe Tone Street this man captured the world. His ‘story of record’ is a view of early 19th century weddings, riverside picnics, the Irish Volunteer Army, RAF stationed at Rosbrien, Ardnacrusha powerplant, shop fronts, Paris, his family.
‘The Haselbeck Collection’ archive was restored brilliantly by granddaughter Patricia Haselbeck Flynn, great-grandsons Sean and Daragh, the ESB archive team and others.
This exhibition in City Hall follows on from the Collins Press launch of ‘Franz S Haselbeck’s Ireland’ and Hunt Museum’s wonderful 2010 show that led to insatiable public interest.
Such is same that this Saturday February 15 and Saturday 22, Limerick City Museum’s doors are open 12pm-4pm. And now the show run here is extended until April; County Hall is next venue after that.
The Collection takes us into the German Protestant emigré’s life. Read his references from top photographers – Louis Anthony in Killarney; Finnerty of Dublin, and the periodicals to which he contributed such as The Constabulary Gazette.
“People say he was not recognised in his time but he was,” notes Patricia Haselbeck. “He was a photographer’s photographer, published in the top journals here and on the Continent and because he kept everything, we have the receipts of payment, 7shillings for some, 12shillings would be a lot”.
Siemens-Baunnion employed Haselbeck to chronicle its emerging ESB powerplant. He photographed city council and the Woman’s Foraging Corps and new born babes with equal ease. His Ireland was a fast-changing, newly independent entity.
Between the magnificent magohony (box, brass and bellows) cameras, the Richomatics and drawings from Dublin Metropolitan School of Art, there are cosy gems. See his permit to leave the house from 10am to 3pm during his wife’s confinement and British curfew. Then there’s his handwritten permission that she, his legal chattle, could visit her sister in Latymer Gardens of London. Quare ould times?
A rolling video of documents and brief introduction trains the view-finder further on this show of artefact, photograph and chronicle, so much of it local, all of it history.
Limerick and beyond just won’t let go so roll up for a leisurely prowl, be that City Hall’s Limerick City Museum or springtime on Dooradoyle Road.
