Next quiz question is - From where was this photo taken?

A tethered balloon in Valetta? St Paul's steeple? A ship's mast moored across the harbour at/near the ferry landing?

I would agree with you Martin St Paul's Steeple. BUT, someone had a damn good lens (telephoto). Is that the Stella Maris Church without the Steeples on the right hand side?

Yes thats Stella Maris, History here. I favour the balloon theory but from closer than Valletta unless they had better lenses than we might think. Ship's mast would have to be right in the creek.

I'm sure they had good lenses - Zeiss's first was 1890, Nikkon's in 1881. And the original picture would have been a dry plate at that time, so much larger than roll film (1889 - Kodak). Don't think a telephoto is needed but according to Wiki they were invented in 1611, 1834, 1860, 1883 and 1891 depending on who you favour. I wonder if the whisky was Army & Navy brand? (What's he on about? - see Wiki on telephotos and HERE )

Your link doesn't work. (Now fixed- too many https). Even so, there is the angle of dangle to be considered. St Paul's spire is 200 feet (above street?) and is 5 cables (3000 feet) from the Ferry. I'm sure someone can do the trig but even if you could get to the top, (I've been inside and played the carillon), it doesnt seem high enough for this view.

Thank you. Research on balloons someone...!!

More support for the St Paul's Steeple argument: Google maps shows ground level for Stella Maris and St Paul's to be equal- thus roughly at eye level at ground level and at steeple level- which is what the picture suggests. A little surprised though, that one doesn't catch a bit of Manoel Island..

I prefer the balloon - 1000 feet is possible - see THIS. And I feel we're a bit higher than Stella Maris. No time for more right now - just off to Malta!!

Update 22 Sept. Having now studied St Paul's from a bit closer, there are 'windows' in the spire, the highest about 30ft from the very top. They face the Strand exactly as in the photo. Chris W doesn't think that the balloon theory fits, as the pic pre-dates the RE balloon corps proper. I suppose we'll never know the verdict on the latest TH Balloon Debate.

The other thing came to mind was that a balloon would be quite unstable and blowing in the wind. Given that exposure times were quite lengthy and the camera bulky, it would seem improbable for the picture to be taken from a balloon.