Alexander Nicol

Alexander Nicol was a professional photographer in Edinburgh from 1865 to 1898. 

He sold cartes de visite featuring portraits of Edinburgh men through  W Weddel, 48 South Bridge, Edinburgh.

He illustrated Sir WG Simpson’s book “The Art of Golf” 

Cabinet Prints

Here are the front and back of one of Alexander Nicol's cabinet prints, from his studio at 70 Lauriston Place.  It is a photo of four young children posed around a basket.

Alexander Nicol's studio was based at 70 Lauriston Place from 1870 until 1898.  Please click on the images below to enlarge them:

 ©        ©

Alexander Nicol joined EPS in 1862, and gave a lecture to EPS in 1873:

"Photographic Printing on Wood as an assistance to the Engraver'".

At the EPS Meeting on 23 September 1868, Alexander Nicol and Archibald Burns exhibited several negatives showing results obtained by the coffee process, which were "much admired for their beauty and exceeding softness".

6th PSS Exhibition, Dec 1861

J Nicol's entry to the exhibition included:  'On the Water of Leith'.  The press described this as:

"The only picture in the exhibition which purports to be by the hot water process"    [BJP]

9th PSS Exhibition, Dec 1864

In 1864 PSS Exhibition, he exhibited 20 cartes de visite and 7 portraits

EPS Exhibition, 1890

In the 1890 EPS  Exhibition, he exhibited platinotype landscapes and silver prints on wood 

Was Alexander Nicol related to John Nicol?  John Nicol was a regular speaker at EPS meetings in the 1860s and 1870s?

1881 Census

Alexander Nicol was listed in the 1881 census as:

Photographer:  aged 38

Born:  Edinburgh

Resident:  6 Ethel Terrace,  Edinburgh

Wife:  Marion

[DR Torrance]

 Click here to select Other Photographers