Kyles and Moir

Photographic Studios

William Kyles, after working for many years as a photographer, set up a photographic partnership with WS Moir in 1877. Their studio addresses were:

Studio Addresses Kyles & Moir
Kyles & Moir	106 High Street, Portobello	1877-82
Kyles & Moir	34 Bath Street, Portobello	1877-82
Kyles & Moir	33 Bath Street, Portobello	?

In the trade directories, this business continued in the name of WS Moir from 1883 onwards:

Studio Addresses

WS Moir

WS Moir

34 Bath Street, Portobello

1883-94

Several other studio addresses were also listed for WS Moir in the trade directories, before during and after his partnership with Kyles:

Studio Addresses WS Moir
Moir, WS	212 High Street, Portobello	1876-79
Moir, WS	7 Bath Street, Portobello	1879
Moir, WS	104 High Street, Portobello	1880-87
Moir, WS	34 Bath Street, Portobello	1883-94
Moir, WS	106 High Street, Portobello	1888-96
Moir, WS	10 Hope Street	1894-96

Reply

Archie Foley

Joppa, Edinburgh

Kyles & Moir Studio

William Kyles

William Kyles' involvement in the partnership at 34 Bath Street seems to have lasted for rather less time than entries in the trade directories suggest.

Archie Foley tells me that by 1879, William Kyles had moved to Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland.

Acknowledgement: Archie Foley, Joppa, Edinburgh

Reply

James Robertson

Anglesey, Wales

Thank you to James Robertson who wrote:

Family Photos

William Kyles AND Kyles & Moir

"My Gt Grandfather records that he had photos taken at Kyles in Portobello on 22 May 1875, including his wife Maggie and two of the children 'in the costume of a Newhaven Fishwife'.

Maggie received proofs of cartes at their home, Church Hill Cottage, Duddingston, on 4 June. A year later (20 May 1876) nine copies of cartes of his youngest son arrive at their home, now 20 Dick Place, and interestingly, he records that two days later he hears from 'Kyles and Moir'."

Acknowledgement: James Robertson, Anglesey, Wales: June 22, 2011

Reply

James Robertson

Anglesey, Wales

Thank you to James Robertson for writing again, this time providing further evidence supporting Archie Foley's comments above that William Kyles' was not fully involved with the 'Kyles & Moir' studio at Portobello throughout the period 1877-82.

James wrote:

Family Photos

William Kyles' Departure

"I'm currently transcribing my Gt Grandfather's diary for 1878, and have come across further references to Kyles and Moir.

- On 13th March, Charles Johnstone records his visit to Kyles and Moir Studio, Portobello. He finds that :

"Kyles has gone to live in London at the first of the month, but Moir was still carrying on the business".

- On 23rd March, he visits again, bringing most of the family, and has a series of photos taken. He describes each of these, eg 'Lillie alone, Charlie & Edith standing together, Flora standing and sitting', etc.

He then notes that:

"Moir did them, as Kyles has left and gone to Dundee".

So, at this point, in 1878, Kyles seems to have left the business, and Moir is taking the photos."

Acknowledgement: James Robertson, Anglesey, Wales: October 9, 2011

Reply

James Robertson

Anglesey, Wales

James Robertson added

Family Photos

William Kyles' Departure

"I've just transcribed another reference from the 1878 diary

- On 27th April, Charles Johnstone wrote:

"We went to Kyles & Moir's and ordered copies of cartes of myself and the children, last taken. Paid old account.

Maggie got taken, three positions again, on trial, and I got taken with the Turkish fez. on."

Acknowledgement: James Robertson, Anglesey, Wales: October 13, 2011

Cartes de Visite

Kyles AND Moir AND Kyles & Moir

William Kyles and William Moir individually, and later Kyles & Moir together, produced cartes de visite of women dressed in Newhaven fishwives’ costume.

Kyles also produced carted de visite of men dressed in uniform. In 1868, he advertised:

Cabinet Portraits

THE NEW CABINET PORTRAITS for Albums and Frames. Beautiful ENAMEL CARTES, Full Length or Vignette. Copies taken from Oil Paintings, Engravings, Drawings, Photographs, Marble, Bronze &c. Busts and Models enlarged or diminished.

Parties in the district visited for Landscape and Portrait Groups. CHILDREN’S PORTRAITS receive Special Attention, and are so arranged as to produce Pretty Pictures as well as Pleasing Likenesses. All orders executed with the greatest promptitude and care.

Observe the Address

- POPLAR COTTAGE, 36 REGENT STREET -
A few seconds’ walk from the Post-Office, and nearly opposite the Free Church.

Kyles & Moir

Professional Photographer

Professional Photographer - Portobello

William Kyles