ROLLINGS, Albert Archer 'Arch'

Title
ROLLINGS, Albert Archer 'Arch'
Description
Photographer whose extensive collection of 2440 photographic glass plates was rescued at Sorell by local school teacher Robert Tanner in 1959.
Biographical text
AA "Arch" Rollings was born in Sorell (Forcett) to farmers James Rollings and Martha Wiggins in 1865. He married Sophia Dodge (1848-1928) in Hobart in 1890. After Sophia died, he married Julia Adelaide Rapp (1872-1959). He is not recorded as having any children. Arch was appointed post-master and savings bank agent at Forcett in 1896. He is also noted as playing in the Forcett Football Club and later in the Carnarvon Team. By 1898 Rollings had moved to professional photography. With Harry Dart he operated a studio in Harrington Street 'Dart and Rollings'. AA Rollings' nephew, Herbert Baron Rollings, was also a photographer and had a partnership with Alfred Williiam Howard. His nephew's business 'Howard and Rollings' operated at 146 Liverpool Street, Hobart until filing for bankruptcy in August 1904. In 1906 AA Rollings opened a drapery and photographic business in Sorell. He was in business until 1924 at his shop at 21 Gordon Street. The most well-known photographs in the A A Rollings collection are those of Horace Watson recording the voice of Fanny Smith in 1903. Photographs taken by Arch Rollings can be found in series where he is listed as the creator, as well as in general miscellaneous photographic series including PH30 and PH40.
Family name
ROLLINGS
Given name
Albert Archer
Nickname
Arch
Date of birth
1865
Birthplace
Forcett
Sibling of
James Rollings
Martha Wiggins Rollings
Gender
Male
Occupation
Photographer
Post master
Draper
Spouse of
DODGE, Sophia
RAPP, Julia Adelaide
Date of death
March 2, 1947
Related Items
Julia Adelaide Rapp (Mrs Rollings) and Arch Rollings sitting on sand dunes [Seven Mile Beach?]
Arch Rollings sitting on chair-painted backdrop of window
Portrait of woman and man (woman in blouse with small flower pattern) [slight over image of woman laughing] [see also NS1553/1/929, 977]
Portrait of woman and man (woman in blouse with small flower pattern) [see also NS1553/1/928, 977]
Portrait of woman and man (woman in blouse with small flower pattern) [see also NS1553/1/928, 929]
A.A.Rollings with camera on beach / Unidentified photographer
Photographs by A A Rollings
Sorell Heritage Study 1996 - TULENDEENA
Sorell Heritage Study 1996 - ROSY VANYON
Photographic tripod
Pitt Water Chronicles Volume 2
TULENDEENA
Bibliography
Tasmanian Archives and Heritage Office record for Albert Archer Rollings (Aa 'Arch' Rollings) [Photographer]
ABC Radio interview with Robert Tanner, 29 Mar 2021 "Treasure found in an outhouse in Sorell"
Narrow escape from crushing fate: the A.A. Rollings Collection, Libraries Tasmania, 30/07/2025
Item sets
People
Media
NS1553-1-663.jpg
Death notice, The Mercury Tuesday 4th March 1947

Linked resources