A cabinet card portrait of the Shakespearian actor Mrs Mary Frances Scott Siddons who is dressed as Lady Macbeth. She was touring Australia and Macbeth was performed in Melbourne in mid-September, 1876. Source: Photoria

A cabinet card portrait of the Shakespearian actor Mrs Mary Frances Scott Siddons who is dressed as Lady Macbeth. She was touring Australia and Macbeth was performed in Melbourne in mid-September, 1876. Source: Photoria

A cdv portrait of Thomas Pope Besnard (1798-1878). This portrait is most likely a reprint from Besnard's days on the stage in the mid 1850s in the Bendigo region. It may have been reprinted upon his death in 1878. Source: Photoria

A cdv portrait of Thomas Pope Besnard (1798-1878). This portrait is most likely a reprint from Besnard's days on the stage in the mid 1850s in the Bendigo region. It may have been reprinted upon his death in 1878. Source: Photoria

This cdv is a reprint of a much earlier portrait of an unknown woman. The date on the reverse indicates that the cdv was seemingly produced in 1879.

This cdv is a reprint of a much earlier portrait of an unknown woman. The date on the reverse indicates that the cdv was seemingly produced in 1879.

A cdv portrait of Annie Tayler on her sixth birthday in 1879.

A cdv portrait of Annie Tayler on her sixth birthday in 1879.

A cabinet card portrait of three young women.

A cabinet card portrait of three young women. Although there are three first names written on the back there's no further information provided.

This cdv portrait of an infant has been cut to fit in a frame or an album.

This cdv portrait of an infant has been cut to fit in a frame or an album.

A cdv portrait of a man who is wearing a horse shoe stickpin. This cameo portrait is unusual for being more round in shape than the usual oval.

A cdv portrait of a man who is wearing a horse shoe stickpin. This cameo portrait is unusual for being more round in shape than the usual oval.

In this cdv two girls are dressed in costume, possibly for the annual German community's Turn Verein picnic. It was part of the ritual of the celebration to have a photograph taken before the festivities began. Many of the Melbourne-based photographers participated and advertised appropriately.

In this cdv two girls are dressed in costume, possibly for the annual German community's Turn Verein picnic. It was part of the ritual of the celebration to have a photograph taken before the festivities began. Many of the Melbourne-based photographers participated and advertised appropriately.

Foster and Martin's new studio. Collins Street improvements: the Cafe Gunsler, Fletcher's Art Gallery, and Mullen's Library [picture]. (1879). Melbourne: Alfred May and Alfred Martin Ebsworth. Source: State Library of Victoria

A cdv portrait of a woman standing against a painted backdrop. Her hands are placed on the chair and behind her are books on a table. Taken between 1879 and 1890.

The reverse of the cdv portrait of a woman standing against a painted backdrop with her hands placed on a chair and with books on a table behind her. Taken between 1879 and 1890 the Foster and Martin logo seen here is the same one used at their previous address. This logo would be phased out by 1881.

A carte de visite of William Northcote Lloyd Tayler (1861-1919). This cameo portrait, beautifully hand-coloured, was possibly taken on Tayler's 20th birthday.

The reverse of the tinted cdv of William Northcote Lloyd Tayler (1861-1919) dates the photograph to 1881. It displays the new Foster and Martin logo.

*NEWLY ADDED* Cabinet card of unidentified young woman. Source: Photoria Collection

*NEWLY ADDED* Cabinet card, reverse, of unidentified young woman. Source: Photoria Collection

This cdv of an older woman is remarkable mainly due to its difference to the others here. It may be a reprint of an earlier photograph.

The reverse of the cdv of the older woman displays the logo used between 1881 and 1884.

*NEWLY ADDED* Cabinet card portrait of Miss Isabel Wilkie (1860-1947), a daughter of Dr Wilkie and future spouse of Sir Robert Baillie. Source: Photoria Collection

*NEWLY ADDED* The reverse of this cabinet card taken in 1880 displays the name of the sitter, Isabel Wilkie, and a new logo for Foster and Martin. Source: Photoria Collection

A spectacular cabinet card the camera picking up great detail and the processing maintaining the shine of the gown. Taken in September 1884 it stands out as indicating Foster and Martin have updated their equipment. Source: Photoria Collection

The reverse of this cabinet card displays the date this photograph was taken, September 1884. Source: Photoria Collection

*NEWLY ADDED* Cabinet card of two young women arm-in-arm. Source: Photoria Collection

*NEWLY ADDED* Cabinet card, reverse, of two young women arm-in-arm. Source: Photoria Collection

Taken from the Melbourne Town Hall circa 1883, this elevated view of Collins St, Melbourne shows the prominent signage for Foster and Martin. Photographer: Charles Nettleton. Source: Photoria

A cabinet card portrait of a young man taken between 1890 and 1900 at their new address. Source: Photoria

A cabinet card portrait of a young man taken between 1890 and 1900 at their new address. Note that the logo is the same as used for their previous address. Source: Photoria

A cabinet card portrait of Douglas Warford Mein c.1894 perhaps for his 16th birthday. Source: Photoria

A cabinet card portrait of Douglas Warford Mein c.1894 perhaps for his 16th birthday. Note that the back has no logo as it appears on the front. Source: Photoria

A cabinet card portrait of Pulteney Warford Mein c.1894. Note that the back has no logo as it appears on the front. Source: Photoria

A cabinet card portrait of Pulteney Warford Mein c.1894. Note that the back has no logo as it appears on the front. Source: Photoria

A cabinet card portrait of Miss Annie Thom taken between 1890 and 1900. Note the logo is on the front and not the back of the photograph. Source: Photoria

A cabinet card portrait of Miss Annie Thom taken between 1890 and 1900. Note the logo is on the front and not the back of the photograph. Source: Photoria