ONE of the enduring challenges for the Carlton Football Club archivist is the sourcing of photographs of the Club’s “lost” former footballers of yesteryear.

When Carlton, in conjunction with dedicated website Blueseum.org, first sought public assistance in seeking outstanding past player photographs, more than 400 Carlton senior players were not represented by way of photograph. That list (which appears at the end of this story) has since been whittled down to 195 after photographs surfaced in all manner of way.

The recent discovery of eight-game player Henry Crane’s portrait came with the assistance of his grandson the three-time Carlton Premiership wingman Garry Crane by way of a cousin and resident family genealogist.

Others came courtesy of the Blueseum’s dedicated team of detectives, as Blueseum site manager Jamie Sanderson reported.

“Peter Gilbert’s image, taken on a 1964 Broadmeadows Secondary College school trip to Tasmania, was discovered on Facebook,” Sanderson said.

“Dave McCulloch’s picture was found in an obscure academic report from 1985, while another of Jim Williamson, (then Reverend) featured tending the church gardens, was unearthed in an Adelaide newspaper.

“Photos of Steve Bloomer and George Hawking turned up in newly-discovered team photos from the 1930s of Rushworth and Port Melbourne Football Clubs respectively, while Bob Gartland, Vice President of Geelong Football Club helped source images for several players who played for both Carlton and Geelong in the early part of the 20th century.”

Both the club and The Blueseum are pushing on in the quest to secure images of every one of Carlton’s 1199 senior players since the League’s foundation season of 1897.

Those who are able to assist with images of the following former Carlton players are urged to contact Tony.DeBolfo@carltonfc.com.au or admin@blueseum.org. Yep, that's us!

Players requiring Images