Saturday, May 29, 2021

A. Heapy, photographer in Bangor, Caernarvonshire


 Arthur John William Heapy was born in 1873, Birkenhead, Cheshire. On the 1911 census he was living with his parents. This photograph by him is dated January 1913 and has A. Heapy, Regent Studio, Bangor stamped on the back. Hand written message is "Agnes & her Boz send loving wishes to Maud" Arthur was married in 1930, Bangor to Lilian J Rayner a widow. Lilian's 1st husband William Rayner died in 1900. 

Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Photo by Florence Redshaw, Bourne, Lincolnshire


 Photograph by Florence Redshaw, Bourne, Lincolnshire. 1930 Kelly's Directory under Miss Florence Gertrude Redshaw, North Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire. Florence was born 19 August 1903, Bourne, Lincolnshire. On the 1911 census Florence's father was a florist & seedsman, & her mother had a toy & fancy shop. On the 1939 register Florence was a commercial photographer living in Birmingham, England. 

Photo developed by Squire Phillipps, Narrow St., Studio, Peterborough


21 February 1930 - Peterborough Standard mentions Squire Phillips, it seems he was very keen to encourage the amateur photographer.
Perhaps this photo was taken by an amateur. 
Peterborough Standard 14 March 1958
Squire Augustus George Phillipps died 5 March 1958.   

Monday, May 24, 2021


 Photo by F. J. Seaman of Doncaster. Frederick Joseph Seaman  12 March 1874- 2 April 1953. Father was also a photographer. Newspaper reports, suggest photography as a business for the family, had it's ups & downs.  Frederick Joseph of 2 South Street, Hucknall Torkard, Nottinghamshire & lately of Heanor & Matlock was declared bankrupt Sheffield Daily Telegraph 16 November 1901. Moved to Torquay in 1950 in his life time he had opened 12 shops in the North & Midlands,  Derbyshire Times & Chesterfield Herald 24 November 1950. 
Brother Albert Edward Seaman of Chesterfield was declared bankrupt in 1910, Derbyshire Courier 13 July 1915. Up to June 1900 Albert Edward Seaman had assisted his father. When his father moved to Sheffield Albert Edward took over the Chesterfield business. In 1905 Albert Edward had opened a study in  Brighton but high rents, 2 bad seasons & other liabilities led to this study being closed, Sheffield Daily Telegraph 10 July1915. 

Sunday, May 23, 2021

Carlito by Photographer Draycott of London, Birmingham, Northampton & Walsall



John Arthur Draycott of London, Birmingham, Northampton & Walsall took this photograph of Carlito. It's a Cabinet photograph size 16.5 x 10.5 cms. Northampton Mercury 03 September 1887 has Mr Draycott taking 11 Gold Street on lease. By 1905 Draycott has added studios in Liverpool, Leamington & Southport. Leamington Spa Courier 28 April 1905 has a Public Notice advising that the Receiver for the Debenture Holders invites offers for the undertaking of the Company. Leamington Spa Courier 15 June 1906 declares John Arthur Draycott bankrupt, he had started his business in 1881 in Sutton Coldfield.
John Arthur Draycott was born in 1856, Derby, Derbyshire. In 1879 he married Fanny Lloyd in Aston, Warwickshire, who he later divorced. Can't find a 2nd marriage & a daughter by a '2nd wife' doesn't have a mother's maiden name listed which suggests the couple weren't married when she was born in 1898. 


Monday, May 17, 2021


Address on back is Mrs A. Chafer, Plank House, Epworth Nr. Doncaster, England.

Janet Isabella Mouat born 1883, South Shields.


This photograph was sent to Miss Ainslie, Stone Heap, Daddry Shield, Weardale, Durham.  The sender's address was 182 Mowbray Road, South Shields. I think this might be Janet Mouat in the photo with her daughter & friend or relation on the left. Janet was the daughter of Malcom Mouat who was born Shetlands and was a seaman on the 1901 census. 
Photo was by Frank & Hamilton, 32, Ocean Road, South Shields