My uncle has come across two colourised photographs that had been lying in some old boxes. The photographs are of a man and woman. From the clothing I would guess that the photographs date from the late victorian/early edwardian period. Both photographs have been printed (if that's the right technical term) on to smooth white tiles. I have been tasked with trying to find out as much as I can about the individuals concerned. It is quite likely that they lived in the Argyll area. The only tangible information I have is that in the corner of each photograph are the capitalised initials 'EMP'. I am hoping that this might relate to a professional photographer of the period. I would also like to know, simply out of curiosity, when the technique of printing photographs onto tiles was most popular and anything else that this may tell me about my two 'models'. All feedback welcome.
Regards
Doddie
EMP - a photographer based in Argyll late 1890s/early 1900s?
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doddie
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nelmit
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Re: EMP - a photographer based in Argyll late 1890s/early 19
Hi Doddie,
There was a photographer from Ayr who lived in Dunoon in 1901 named Edward McGeachie. I wondered if EMP could be 'Edward McGeachie Photographer' but unfortunately I can't find any more about him except he seems to have taken a photograph of Harry Lauder in 1909.........................well you did say all feedback welcome.
Regards,
Annette
There was a photographer from Ayr who lived in Dunoon in 1901 named Edward McGeachie. I wondered if EMP could be 'Edward McGeachie Photographer' but unfortunately I can't find any more about him except he seems to have taken a photograph of Harry Lauder in 1909.........................well you did say all feedback welcome.
Regards,
Annette
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Currie
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Re: EMP - a photographer based in Argyll late 1890s/early 19
Hello Doddie,
There are some West Coast Directories for the 1880s that may be worth a browse. https://archive.org/search.php?query=we ... pe%3Atexts
The process seems to date back to at least 1866, and probably newer methods since. See “Photographic Portraits on Ceramic Ware” http://books.google.com.au/books?id=sPl ... C&pg=PA270
It sounds expensive as a one-off and possibly therefore never really popular.
Are there any markings on the back of the tiles or any sign of glue or other indication of being at some time attached to something.
Can you be sure it's a photo and not art? Do the people in the photos look like fashion models or just like the ordinary run of the mill family photo occupants? Are they portraits or full figure? Maybe they are celebrities?
There's some interesting stuff here. http://www.tile-heaven.co.uk/cats/pictures.htm
Alan
There are some West Coast Directories for the 1880s that may be worth a browse. https://archive.org/search.php?query=we ... pe%3Atexts
The process seems to date back to at least 1866, and probably newer methods since. See “Photographic Portraits on Ceramic Ware” http://books.google.com.au/books?id=sPl ... C&pg=PA270
It sounds expensive as a one-off and possibly therefore never really popular.
Are there any markings on the back of the tiles or any sign of glue or other indication of being at some time attached to something.
Can you be sure it's a photo and not art? Do the people in the photos look like fashion models or just like the ordinary run of the mill family photo occupants? Are they portraits or full figure? Maybe they are celebrities?
There's some interesting stuff here. http://www.tile-heaven.co.uk/cats/pictures.htm
Alan
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doddie
- Posts: 135
- Joined: Sat Nov 28, 2009 6:45 pm
Re: EMP - a photographer based in Argyll late 1890s/early 19
Hi Alan and Annette, thank you for your very prompt responses to my query.
In answer to a few of your questions, the photos are more or less portrait style, from head down chest level. I am pretty sure, though by no means 100% certain, that they are photographs as opposed to paintings. The degree of clarity and detail is similar to that of other photographs of this approximate period I have come across. The subjects of the photos are in their mid thirties/early forties (the woman featured could just be a bit older). They are in formal attire so I think that the photographs were taken as private family studies. The tiles have no markings or signs of plaster etc. on them at all. They are just smooth and white.
Annette, I will investigate Mr McGeachie further. Your theory about him is quite feasible. I will let you know how I get on.
Regards
Doddie
In answer to a few of your questions, the photos are more or less portrait style, from head down chest level. I am pretty sure, though by no means 100% certain, that they are photographs as opposed to paintings. The degree of clarity and detail is similar to that of other photographs of this approximate period I have come across. The subjects of the photos are in their mid thirties/early forties (the woman featured could just be a bit older). They are in formal attire so I think that the photographs were taken as private family studies. The tiles have no markings or signs of plaster etc. on them at all. They are just smooth and white.
Annette, I will investigate Mr McGeachie further. Your theory about him is quite feasible. I will let you know how I get on.
Regards
Doddie