The Andrews Pages Images Index> Images of People> This page Matlock & Matlock Bath Photographers Matlock and Matlock Bath, Images of People A few of the early photographers and some of their pictures Images of People Next Image Previous Image Similar/Related Images Mr. Chippett's School at Riber Castle General Info About Matlock About Matlock Bath Find a Name At the time of the 1861 census there were already two photographers in Matlock. The Italian Paul P. Letti was lodging on Matlock Bank and Manchester born John Latham was on Tagg Hill in Matlock Town. As for Matlock Bath, John Clark of seems to have been the first "photographic artist" to advertise in a local trades directory in 1864, with Charles Davis of Matlock Bank and George Washington Unwin of Matlock Bath joining him by the time of the 1871 census. Suddenly, everyone who could afford it wanted their photograph taken and by 1881 these three had been joined by David Sherwood Jones and John Potter on Matlock Dale. Photographer's studios were plentiful in the Matlocks and the photographer always ensured his name was somewhere on the mounts of his photographic prints. If you've any mid to late nineteenth century or early twentieth century family photos you can usually find the photographer's details on either the front or the back, either pre printed on the mount or as a sticker. Paul P. Letti in 1861 John Latham in 1861 Matlock & Matlock Bath Names in the London Gazette See what happened to John Latham in 1869 Clark's Kelly's 1864 Directory entry He advertised in Bemrose's 1869 Guide Find Charles Davis and his family on the 1871 census George Unwin also appeared in the 1871 census By 1881 Unwin was living in Chorlton On Medlock, LAN. His children are listed under "Strays" Look at the 1881 census for Matlock Bath William Potter's details, illustrated on the right, were printed directly on the back of a photograph. It is published elsewhere on this website. The J.W. Hilder information immediately below it had been printed onto a sticker; it is also much more wordy. Hilder was John Clark's successor in Matlock Bath and clearly had some influential patrons! J W and Annie (his wife) Hilder are listed in the 1891 census The 1901 census transcripts show John Hilder living in Matlock Bath Alfred Seaman was also in Matlock, staying at Smedley's Hydro   Click on the image above to find more about William Potter   See one of Hilder's pictures- of Mrs Widdowson - by clicking on the image above   William Nathan Statham had a studio on Dale Road, Matlock from shortly before 1891. He first advertised in Kelly's 1891 Directory He was living on Church Street in 1891 He advertised in the 1908 programme of the Operatic Society He continued to advertise for many years, but in 1932 the business had become W.N. Statham & Sons. The son of Nathan and Sarah Statham of Matlock Green and born in 1862, he started out as an Artist China Painter before turning to photography. His 'logo' is shown below. Statham wasn't the only photographer to display his name firmly on the front of his work and the black ground and gold lettering appears alongside the work of other photographic studios. The Statham example was printed down the left hand side of the photograph. Hilder's photo of Mrs Widdowson, linked through his advertisement above, also has the photographer's name on the front. Denis Potter has very kindly allowed the use of this original photograph of his Potter relatives, which was taken by Mr Hilder. The family group were probably photographed in the studio's garden. Potter family Standing : Catherine, Fred, George, Herbert Seated Charles, Hetty, Kate, John (Denis's grandfather) On the grass : May John A Potter emigrated to Canada, with his wife, son Leonard Charles Frederic (born 25 Dec 1899) and daughter Kathleen (born 1902). He took family photographs with him to remind him of home. Much of Denis's collection have been stored in a box for almost 100 years. Leonard and Kathleen attended All Saints' School before emigrating. Presumably they'd have had to walk from their home below Oaker Hill down Snitterton Road and then up to the school on Smedley Street. Quite a distance for young children to walk, though many did. Alison Uttley's books about her childhood describe her own walks to school. (Uttley was born in Matlock, at Castle Top Farm See Biographies See the view of Oaker Hill, part of a multi view card, which may be of members of this family The photograph of the two children below is in the form of a postcard, taken about 1908. About All Saints' School Leonard and Kathleen Potter, ca. 1908. On the back of another photograph in Denis Potter's collection are the familiar intertwined initials W. N. S. (William Nathan Statham). He described himself as a certificated Art Master and Photographic Artist. Images kindly donated by Denis Potter © 2004 There is more on site information QuickList : see Census and Trade Directories "One Man's Photographic Memory" Matlock & Matlock Bath Names in the London Gazette See what happened to William Harvey Barber in 1900 Photography wasn't always profitable and, like many involved in what was probably very seasonal trade, the photographers sometimes had money difficulties. Two such are mentioned in the online transcripts from the London Gazette: Latham in 1869 and Mr. Barber in 1900. For some there was no long term damage but others were financially ruined. External Links Brett Payne's website of Photographers & Photographic Studios of Derbyshire explores this subject in more detail Before the Snapshot and the Postcard : Victorian Photography & Photographers in Matlock & Matlock Bath by John Bradley of Ashover, Derbyshire © 1996 - Ann Andrews (click link to contact). All Rights Reserved. Last Update: 29 February, 2008 About and Conditions of Use | Site Map, Matlock | Part of The Andrews Pages - www.andrewspages.dial.pipex.com