Professional Photography in Edinburgh

1892

From an Occasional Correspondent

The extracts below are taken from an occasional correspondent to the journal, The Practical Photographer.  [The Practical Photographer,  1 April 1892,  p.105]

Princes Street Studios

The correspondent reported that some of the finest art works photography was capable of producing could be found in the studios of Princes Street, but business had recently suffered due to the weather.  He wrote:

"Business was going up grandly when all was simply paralyzed by the horrid snow-storm which has done a lot of harm to kindred and other businesses.

William Crooke's Studio

William Crooke was described by the correspondent as "The Boss of the Walk" (the Walk being Princes Street).  He wrote:

"Taking a stroll west the other day we observed a magnificent carved doorway being erected in connection with Mr Crooke's studio.  It has a glass domed top and glass panels and the name 'Crooke' in embossed brass on the lower panel. 

The whole affair is most artistic in taste and very pleasing to the eye; as usual, the work exhibited is tip top."

William Crooke - Update

Thank you to John Harris for telling me about another article in The Practical Photographer, a few years later.

John wrote:  

"There there is a comprehensive study of William Crooke in the edition of Practical Photographer for July 1898.  It includes an original portrait of him too.

A copy of the magazines is held by the National Library  of Scotland (shelf mark Q.111)."

John Harris, Dunbar, East Lothian:  October 10, 2007

Marshall Wane's Studio

and

John Moffat's Studio

The correspondent referred to the studios of  Marshall Wane  and John Moffat, though he referred to them as Marshall Bane and John Moffatt.  He said:

"There will always be a hankering after photography in colours, and to further cultivate the demand, Mr Marshall Wane and Mr J Moffat have some very fine specimens of this art, quite different from what has "gone before"; you can not see the brush marks.

The colours and tints are naturally studied and near the idea as one could wish.  This description of work is only for the upper crush, the lower crush must be content to look on.

Alex Ayton's Studio

The correspondent finally referred to Alex Ayton  whom he described as another good worker.

He said:

"Mr Ayton has added the electric light to his studio (since December).  This is enterprise in a word.

He shows some beautiful platinotype prints, one grand print in a silver filigree frame - a regular medal taker.

The Dealers

The correspondent wrote:

"The dealers are dull, but several have spring novelties in hand.  The Todd-Forrest flasher [This was a magnesium flash lamp] came late but has sold in immense numbers

Energetic Mr Baird, Lothian Street, will try to take the lead this season,"