The Old Lady Who Was Really A Dog

No your eyes are not deceiving you, what we have here is not a delicate old lady, but a little terrier dressed up! The shoulder of the dog's owner can just be seen on the right as they hide behind the carefully placed fabric curtain to hold the dog up for the exposure.

The Victorian era was one where the relationships & connections between the human and animal kingdom were hotly debated. In art and literature the dog became symbol that could represent any number of values and social stereotypes. Depictions of anthropomorphic dogs (dressed as humans) helped the anti-vivisection movement of the time to bring the debate on animal treatment to a wide audience.

Illustrations by Victorian Illustrator Harrison Weir, c1870s

With the photograph I'm certain however there was no bigger social commentary going on, just a bit of fun! Who won't want to see if their favourite pet suited a dress and bonnet?

The photograph was taken in London by Bertollé & Son's Studio, 268 Caledonian Road, Islington. The Studio was operated by photographer James Parton until 1857 when he was succeed by James Bertollé.

The Studio stayed in the Bertollé family, and his son, James Lewis William Bertollé continued the business, with his own son joining him in 1890 (another James!) James Charles Bertollé.

James Lewis was a banjoist as well as a photographer, teaching James Charles to play the instrument at an early age. By 1897 James Charles was not only working as a photographer with his father but playing banjo concerts and teaching between 30 and 40 banjo lessons per week. The Studio at Caledonian road must have been very busy! At the studio they also sold "Dexter" banjo's, named after James Charles' banjo duet band name "The Dexters".

The Studio at 268 Caledonian road is still standing, and is now several grade-II listed flats.

 260 to 268 Caledonian Road

                                                                    The reverse of the photograph mount




Sources:

• Harrison Weir, Anthropomorphism, and moralizing books for Children and Adults, Simon Cooke Ph.D, 2013
• Victorian Medicine and Popular Culture, Louise Penner, 2015 
• The Dog's Grand Dinner Party, McLoughlin Brothers, illustrated by Harrison Weir, 1870
• James Barton, in the London 19th Century Photographer Database
• James Bertolle, in the London 19th Century Photographer Database
• James Lewis William Bertolle, in the London 19th Century Photographer Database
• James Charles Bertolle, in the London 19th Century Photographer Database
• British Banjo Makers, Part 1

Black and Tan Terrier in Camberwell

This is a portrait of a Black and Tan (or English Toy Terrier). Before the formation of the Kennel Club in England, Black and Tan's were used in rat pit. In this sport, men would bet on the number of rats, and the speed at which the dog would be able to kill them. One of the smallest and most famous ratters was 5lb "Tiny" who is said to have killed 100 rats in just over 5 minutes.

 

A rat pit in the 1860's

Looking at the dog in this photograph, with its fancy beaded, necklace-like collar, I think it very unlikely that he or she was used in the pit! In 1882 John Herny Walsh writes of the Black and Tan in his book Dogs of the British Islands:

The black-and-tan English terrier is a very elegant dog, approaching in his symmetry to the greyhound. Skull flat and narrow; eye small and dark; nose black. The ears, if cropped, should be erect, long, and tapering to a fine point. 

The photographer Henry Death, has taken great care with his subject to create contrast between the dark, shiny coat of the dog and the paler, plain backdrop. This effect creates a simple but startling portrait.

The reverse of the mount - the first I have seen noting the business hours

Henry Death was born on 31st of July 1820 son of Alice and William Death in Molton, Cambridgeshire. He married Frances Ann, and together they had four sons and three daughters. Death started his photographic career in 1856, opening a studio in the family home at 5 Addington Place, Camberwell Road, London.

The family resided there until July 16th 1863 when they moved to 119 Camberwell Road where the Black and Tan terrier had his portrait painted. The house & studio was put up for sale in September 1887, because of Death's ill health. Death died in 1900 after a short retirement from photography. We can therefore date the photograph in question to between 1863 and 1887, judging by the simple style of the mount I would date it to the earlier part of this period.

Below is a photograph of 119 Camberwell Road as it is today, the interior retains some of the period features, such as the decorative wooden flooring, which would have been there when it was the home of the Death family.

You may also be interested in reading articles from this website relating to Manchester Terriers -
click here to view.

Sources:

• Henry Death in England and Wales Christening records 1812-1822
• Portrait of a woman by Henry Death in the State of Victoria Library Collection
• Henry Death in the Directory of 19th Century London Photographers
• Henry Death in the 1891 Census
• Property History of 119 Camberwell Road
• Manchester terrier Breed History
• Dogs of the British Islands, 1882, John Henry Walsh 

The Much Loved Pug

The plain studio backdrop in this image highlights the subjects in the foreground, and their close relationship. This well dressed, fur-clad lady has a clear affection for her pug, who himself is so contented, he has his eyes closed as she holds him. As smartly dressed as his owner, the Pug wears a studded leather collar with a little bell.

Author Robert Leighton said in 1910 "What ever may have been the history of the Pug as regards its nativity, it had not long been introduced into England before it became a popular pet, and it shared with the King Charles Spaniel the affection of the great ladies of the lands. Queen Victoria possessed one of which she was very proud."

The photograph was taken at No. 19 Hill Street, Richmond, London by Byrne & Co.

Here is a postcard of Hill Street c1880-1900, looking very closely at the multitude of street signs and business placards, amazingly I was able to find a sign for the Byrne & Co. Studio and their "Electric Light Studio".

Click Here for more Pug related articles from this website.

Sources:

• W. J. Byrne & Co. in the The Royal Commonwealth Society Photograph Collection
• Number 19 Hill Street in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Local History and Heritage archive
• Postcard of Hill Street, Richmond from pepandtim on Flickr
• Portrait of Queen Mary by Byrne & Co. in the National Trust Collection
• A selection of portraits including Queen Victoria by Byrne & Co. in the National Portrait Gallery
• Dogs and All About Them, Robert Leighton, 1910

The Pug and The Cook

Here we have an example of an "occupational" photograph. It was not often that people were photographed in their work clothing, what we have here is a Cook who was proud enough of his profession to have his portrait taken in his white uniform. He is accompanied by his Pug who lies on the table beside him.

We can but speculate on the identity of the fine restaurant or high class home that this gentlemen worked at. However, we do know a little about the photographer - E. W. Procktor.

Edwin William Procktor was born in Stepney in 1839. He had a wife Elizabeth and they has two sons and two daughters together. The Cook and his Pug were photographed at Edwin's studio at 90 Edgware Road London. This studio was run by Edwin from 1873 until his death in 1881, after which the Studio was taken over by Elizabeth who was resident photographer until the studio closed in 1889.

The reverse of the photograph

Sources:

• Edwin William Procktor in the Directory of 19th Century London Photographers

• Elizabeth Procktor in the Directory of 19th Century London Photographers

The Best of Friends

This is a truely tender portrait, the close relationship between child and Collie is quite obvious as they gaze into each others eyes in this photograph.

It was taken at No2. The Quadrant, Richmond, London. This was, and still is, an impressive and beautiful building as you can see in the images below. Interestingly at the time of writing Jessops the photography shop is now situated next door to No2.

Window detail image taken by Lindad4a on Flickr

The studio of Gunn and Stuart was a partnership between Charles James Angel Isaac Gunn and his brother-in-law William Slade Stuart, between 1894 and May 1902. William worked as a Linen Draper's assistant (cloth seller) before becoming a photographer. Not long after the Studio partnership dissolved Charles became bankrupt in the November of 1902. He had run up huge debts mostly incurred through lavish expenditure on a house in Richmond.

A Brief History of Charles James Angel Isaac Gunn

He was born in April 1857 in Homerton, Hackney, London, the son of James Gunn and Rebecca Andrews. In 1886 when aged 26 he married Annie Maria Tuckwell, they would go on to have 5 daughters and 4 sons.

Here you can see Charles the "Photographic Artist" and his household in 1901, including his niece Alice Allehouse (who was working for Charles as a Photographic assistant), his then elderly mother Rebecca and two household servants. Click the image to enlarge.

Source Citation: Class: RG13; Piece: 679; Folio: 25; Page: 1.

Source Information: Census Returns of England and Wales, 1901. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives, 1901. Data imaged from the National Archives, London, England.

Charles became a member of the Photographic Society (later The Royal Photographic Society) from 1889, and earned a Royal Warrant for the studio on September 24 1896. Not long after obtaining their Royal Warrent the Studio photographed the Queen for a Diamond Jubille Portrait, which you can see here.

Sources

• Gunn & Stuart in the directory of 19th Century London Photographers
•  William Slade Stuart in the directory of 19th Century London Photographers 
•  No2 The Quadrant window image by Lindad4a
•  Census Returns of England and Wales
•  Diamond Jubilee portrait of Queen Victoria by Gunn & Stuart 
•  Gunn & Stuart in the catalogue of Royal Photographic Society exhibitions 1870-1915
•  Photographs by Gunn & Stuart in the collection of the National Portrait gallery, London

The Mystery Woman from Ealing

This photograph came with a box of my great grandfathers items including letters, diaries and other photographs. The thing is that there is no one left alive who can identify the woman in the image (or the dog!) She doesn't closely resemble any members of my family so I'm going to presume she was a friend of the family. Her little dog is a prick-eared Skye Terrier.

The origin of the Skye Terrier is shrouded in as much mystery as the identity of the woman in this photograph. Its origins are said to be from the Maltese dogs that came during the 17th century, on a shipwrecked Spanish Armada and bred with the local "Celtic terriers" on the Isle of Skye in the Scottish Hebrides. This makes the Skye Terrier the oldest of the Scottish Terrier breeds and the ancestor of the five breeds of the Scottish Isles which still exist today: The Skye Terrier, The Scottish Terrier, The Cairn Terrier, The West White Highland Terrier and the Dandie Dinmond Terrier. Sadly the Skye Terrier is now on the UK Kennel Club's list of most endangered breeds, with only 44 puppies registered in 2011.