Richard Quin (trading as Moran & Quin) patented an improved case for photographs and improvements to stereoscopes in 1857 (BP 168/1857), M&Q were then at 65 Poland St. Richard Quin was at 5 Rodney St. M&Q are known until 1877, in 1880 Quin & Co. is listed, still at 65 Poland St.

Quta Co. is not in the BJA address lists. The Quta Photo Machine Co. is listed as being in Wimbledon until c. 1908 and the Quta Machine Co. advertised from an address in Norfolk Street, Strand in 1903.

The Brooks-Watson Daylight Camera Co. Ltd (Arthur Augustus Brooks and George Andrew Watson) was registered in 1901 with capital of £74,000. Frederick Oatley Bynoe joined the firm in 1903 to run the apparatus production side of the firm, he only remained there a year before joining Butcher. The film works were built at Mobberley in 1903 and run by C.F.S. Rothwell. Rajar had been used as a product name by the company and was later adopted as the company name.

The original product of the company, and the subject of patents by Brooks and Watson, was a daylight changing system for plate cameras. There were production difficulties that resulted in delays in introducing the system and, in any case, it did not prove very successful. Around 1904 a hand camera was introduced fitted with the changing mechanism and the brand name Rajar was adopted for the company. The firm sold flat film for the changing system as well as ordinary cut-film and roll-film known as Cleron. Film and paper production proved more successful than the changing system which was abandoned around 1907. For a brief period around 1906 the company also sold camera and darkroom accessories probably originating from the Altrincham Rubber Co. Prior to joining Brooks-Watson, Rothwell was working with the Thornton Film Co. Both Brooks and Watson probably left the firm around 1904.

The name of the firm is confusing, Rajar Ltd was registered as early as 1901, Rajar (1907) was registered in 1907 and Rajar Ltd registered again in 1919. Between 1910 and 1919 the (1907) part of the name was not used in advertisements and trade lists. The company numbers were: 72150, 95961 and 160925 respectively. Rajar Ltd, of 1919, was registered with capital of £300,000, the directors were A.E. Parke (Wiggins Teape and Rotary), T.L. Parke (Wiggins Teape) and C.F.S. Rothwell (Rotary and Lilywhite Ltd). The Rajar trade mark was registered in 1902.

In 1921 Rajar became part of Apm and then Ilford, paper production continued at the Mobberley site into the Ilford era.

From the 1940s Rank started to consolidate several British optical and engineering companies, originally these had a connection with the film industry. These included: Gaumont British (taken over in 1941), GB-Kalee (part of Gaumont British and Kershaw), British Acoustic Films (a subsidiary of Gaumont British), Taylor, Taylor & Hobson (a subsidiary of British Acoustic Films), A. Kershaw & Sons (1947), Pullin (1964), Hilger & Watts (1968) and Aldis. Wray optical was already part of Hilger & Watts. GB Equipment was also listed in the 1940s, this may have been established by Rank or a subsidiary of Gaumont British. The companies were organised into British Optical and Precision Engineers Ltd. a subsidiary of Rank.

Chemists, in 1856 they were advertising a full range of wet-plate supplies including: Iodized Collodion; Pyrogallic, Gallic, and Acetic Acid; Nitrate of Silver; Canson Freres and Marion's paper; Waxed and Albumenized Papers; Lenses by Lerebours and Secretan; Cameras, rigid and folding; Troughs; Levelling Stands and Pressure Frames.

Established in 1896 when H.J. Redding and E.T. Gyles left J. Robinson & Son. By the mid 1900s the photographic side of the business must have been diminishing in favour of other interests, by 1920 they specialised in spectacles. At one time they list themselves as makers of models, electrical instruments and optical toys.

As well as the Luzo, Redding made tailboard cameras and a folding roll-film camera similar to the Sanderson finished in polished mahogany. The British Journal of Photography of 1 Oct. 1897 states that Redding was with J. Robinson for over 25 years.

From as early as 1900 Gyles is listed as a manufacturer of scientific novelties and may not have worked full time for Redding & Gyles, by 1911 he had moved from manufacture to managing a drapery business.

H. Jasper Redfern worked for Watson & Son in London until 1895 when he set up as an optician and retailer in Sheffield.

Redfern was a very early film maker and projectionist. His business dealings were less successful; Jasper Redfern Limited went into voluntarily liquidation in 1904, Jasper Redfern & Co. Limited was wound up in 1912.

Mount and studio-background manufacturers, suppliers of studio furniture. The proprietor is given as James E. De Gruchy.

Wound up in 1912.

Established in 1928 when they were involved in aircraft manufacture. At that time they had offices in New Malden as well as premises in Leicester.

Almost certainly makers to the trade. They briefly advertised, including cameras, around 1889.

Originally wholesale and retail chemists, the firm moved into photographic chemicals and supplies by the 1850s and then into the production of camera shutters, cameras and darkroom equipment. The company was registered in 1898 with capital of £34,000 to continue the business of R. Reynolds, F.W. Branson and R.F. Reynolds. The Rystos trade mark was registered in 1900, the Phoenix trade name was also used.

In the 1860s there were two firms with similar titles both run by the same partners: Harvey & Reynolds, wholesale druggists and pharmaceutical chemists at 13 Briggate; and Harvey, Reynolds, & Co., opticians, photographic chemists, and dealers in scientific apparatus at 10 Briggate.

Fowler left the partnership in November 1864. Thomas Harvey left the partnership in 1867, Richard Reynolds continued the businesses under the same names. Richard Reynolds was later in partnership with Freshfield Reynolds, that was ended in 1882 with Richard Reynolds continuing the business; at this time they were in 14 Commercial St., 13 Briggate and White Horse St. Leeds.

The Early Photography in Leeds catalogue traces the firm to 1854 when they were trading as Thomas Harvey & Richard Reynolds 1854 - 1860, Harvey, Reynolds & Fowler 1860 - 1864, Harvey, Reynolds & Co. 1864 - 1886. All at 13 Briggate.

In 1856 Harvey & Reynolds were advertising chemicals and apparatus including Ramsden's Tourist Camera.

Riley Bros Ltd was registered with capital of £10,000 to take over the business of G., A.J., W., and A.H. Riley trading as Riley Bros, dealers in optical lanterns, lantern slides and cinematographic equipment. The company was probably re-formed in 1914.

Listed from the early 1880s until the end of the 1890s. They advertised sensitised paper and, in 1887, 'Lion' Dry plates.

The firm of R. & H. Robbins was established by R.C. Robbins around 1894. He had worked for Archers and later worked at Wood Bros. The firm was started at 16 Exchange Street East. Later joined by his brother H.T. Robbins.

The London Gazette for 1898 records that a final dividend is to be paid to creditors by John Bolton Robinson.

The Grafton St. address was still shown as 'J. Robinson' in 1898 and in 1901 J. Robinson & Sons Ltd was registered in Dublin operating from 65 Grafton St. The London and Dublin businesses may not have been connected by this time.

Shown at the above address during the 1860s and 1870s, firstly as a general mechanic and then as photographic instrument maker employing 16 hands, not in Slater's directory for 1853.

Ross was established in 1830 by Andrew Ross the business was continued by his son, Thomas. Sir Charles Parsons acquired a controlling interest in the firm from 1 January 1921 and took over as chairman. Part of Barnet Ensign Ross Ltd from 1948.

In an 1891 advertisement they state that "cabinet-maker's workshops" have been erected at the Clapham factory and that a stock of old mahogany has been secured, this would indicate that previously they were not actually making cameras.

Ross Limited was formed in 1897 with share capital of £120,000, 40,000 £1 shares were offered for subscription, the directors were: J. Stuart (Managing Director), Dr. John Attlee, Mr. Traill Christie, and Mr. F.H. Wenham.

In 1917 Ross took over the assets of Carl Zeiss (London) Ltd. The London offices were moved to the old Zeiss building in Gt. Castle St. and the factory near Mill Hill was utilised; for a time lenses produced at the new factory were engraved Ross (Mill Hill).

Very early lenses have the Ross name engraved with a stylised 'S' resembling an 'f'.

Featherstone Buildings was a small street on the north side of High Holborn opposite Gt. Turnstile Street, the area was extensively remodelled by the Luftwaffe. The BJA 1892 shows illustrations of 112 Bond St. and Clapham Common.

Gloria Clifton notes that Andrew Ross was apprenticed to John Corless in 1813. He later worked for one of the Gilberts.

The optician and lens designer Dr Schroeder (d. 1902) was engaged by Ross from 1882 to 1894, he then moved to Manhattan Optical, he returned to England in 1895. In 1914 over 450 people were employed at the Clapham site.

Formed by the amalgamation of Houghton-Butcher Manufacturing Co. and the sales division of Elliott & Sons Ltd, (Barnet plates etc.). Later joined by Ross Ltd.

H-B Mfg Co. was part of BPI, the amalgamated companies - Barnet-Ensign and Barnet Ensign Ross Ltd also came within BPI.

The Rotary Photographic Co., founded in 1898 with capital of £30,000, was a subsidiary of Neue Photographische Gesellschaft (NPG) founded by A. Schwartz. The firm specialised in rapid printing of photographs for brochures, calendars, postcards etc. It went into voluntary liquidation in 1916 and was put up for auction as an enemy firm in July 1917, although not sold at the auction it was acquired by the Rotary Photographic Co. (1917) Ltd and Wiggins Teape & Co. Ltd. The directors of Rotary (1917) included A.E. Parke of Wiggins Teape and C.F.S. Rothwell (managing director) of Rajar. In effect Rajar and Wiggins Teape acquired Rotary Photographic. The works were in West Drayton.

Rotary sold negative paper and bromide printing paper under the name Rotograph.

Primarily distributors for Meyer and Mentor, Roth also produced some cameras of their own fitted with Meyer lenses.

Rothwell Photographic Material Co., founded by C.F.S. Rothwell, was sold to Roberts & Foxall in early 1898 but continued to trade under the Rothwell name. The partnership between Frederick Foxall and Charles Edward Roberts, trading as Rothwell Photographic Material Co., was dissolved in 1903.

C.F.S. Rothwell was predominantly a chemist, during his period at Rothwell Photographic Material Co. he was experimenting with emulsions and films. After leaving Rothwell Photographic Material in 1898 he worked for the Thornton Film Co., after that company ceased trading he joined Brooks-Watson (later Rajar) in 1903. He was managing director of Rotary Photographic Co. (1917) and a director of Lilywhite, another printing company. When Rajar joined the APM merger of companies Rothwell was made joint managing director. During 1899 he and J.E. Thornton submitted a series of patents covering the products of the Thornton Film Co.

Under the Foxall name the firm continued as a photographic retail outlet later expanding into wholesale. In 1968 it merged with Chapman to form Foxall & Chapman.

Henry Burfield was a chemist and druggist, around 1854 he was joined by William White Rouch. The establishment date of 1854 is shown in later Rouch advertisements. Burfield & Rouch advertised in the 1858 Photographic News.

Samuel W. Rouch was the patentee of the Eureka camera. William Albert Rouch, nephew of Samuel W, ran the company from 1898, he was a photographer specialising in sports photography.

Routledge was previously working for Ottewill, he was described as a builder when made bankrupt in 1868. At that time he was at 2 Millman St. Bedford Row and 12 Hand Ct. Holborn, probably a private address.

Rudowsky were dealers and importers of photographic material and equipment, especially paper and, later, albums. Established in 1877 according to advertisements. Carl Albin Rudowsky took British nationality in 1901, he died in 1923.

The company was formed around 1896 by J.T. Sandell who had previously been at R.W. Thomas. The firm produced dry plates and later films, specialising in multi-coated plates and Cristoid films. Sandell Works Co. went into receivership in June 1898, its interests were taken over by Sandell Films & Plates Ltd (capital £10,000). J.T. Sandell ended his links with the company in 1902. T.K. Grant worked for the company until 1901 as a sales representative.

Both Sanders and Crowhurst had worked for Watson & Sons and the firm was appointed Watson's West End Agent, Crowhurst had also spent time with Spicer. The partnership between Sanders and Crowhurst was dissolved in 1908. Crowhurst continued in business at the Hove address, Sanders at the London address. In 1910 bankruptcy proceedings were started against Sanders from which he was later released.

In 1910 Sanders & Co. was taken over by J.A. Sinclair, in July of that year a clearance sale was held at Shaftesbury Avenue. Harold Armytage Sanders FRPS joined Sinclair at this time. He was elected a Member of the RPS in 1902 and made a Fellow in 1907, from that time he was a regular exhibitor at the RPS. Sanders was a noted bird photographer and collaborated with Oliver G. Pike in making films. Pike is credited with designing the Birdland camera sold by Sanders & Crowhurst.

From 1904 the 55 Western Road address is listed, the address was previously occupied by James Williamson the early film maker who had a chemist shop and photographic retail outlet there from 1898. Williamson & Co. continued at Wilbury Rd. Hove. Crowhurst was married to Williamson's daughter Janet Melville Williamson.

An advertisement shows them selling new and second cameras and lenses and providing estimates for construction. They also state that they have taken over the business of John H. Burton.

Founded in 1874, according to an advertisement. The firm traded at least to the late 1950s at Bedford St. Patents issued in the 1880s were in the names of Charles Sands and John James Hunter. The BJA 1922 shows an illustration of the Bedford St. building. If the establishment date of 1874 is correct then the founders must have been Charles Sands and John Hunter, if the date is incorrect or refers to just one of the partners, then the original partnership may have been between Charles Sands and John James Hunter. The firm advertised in the 1880 British Journal of Photography.

The partnership between Charles Sands and John James Hunter, son of John Hunter, was dissolved in 1890, the company was then owned by J.J. Foster (d. 1923) and traded under the Sands, Hunter name, the manager at the time is given as S. Bicknell. A. Oglesby took over as manager from H. Carter at the start of 1912.

Charles Sands had a most unusual career, around 1856 he took over the Prince Regent pub in North London that was previously run by his father. In 1858 he married his first wife Charlotte, he then switched professions becoming a photographer, possibly in Brighton and by 1871 in Farnham. In 1873 he divorced his wife citing adultery. He then must have come into contact with the Hunter family, Sands & Hunter was formed and in 1876 he married Susan Hunter. The Sands & Hunter period must have been a highpoint in his career, following the sale of the firm his dwellings are more modest.

S&H were distributors of Drem products until September 1928 when Drem Products Ltd. took over.

The firm was founded by E. Sanger-Shepherd, they specialised in colour equipment, filters, sensitometry and scientific areas of photography. Following his death the company was wound up, some of its interests were carried on by E.S.S. Colour Filter Co. at 1 Montague Street and from around 1936 in Chalfont. A related company was M.S.S. Press Ltd (at the Red Lion address), they specialised in reproducing Autochromes on paper.

Sanger-Shepherd FRPS was a prominent photographer of the time specialising in colour processes, he regularly exhibited at the RPS (elected a member in 1887), an advertisement mentions an RPS medal awarded in 1896.

The original partners of the firm were Edward Sanger-Shepherd, William Saville Kent (? the marine biologist) and Robert Lincoln Cocks, Kent left after a only a short while and the firm was renamed in January 1900. Arnold Frank Hills must then have joined the partnership as he is recorded leaving in 1903. The firm was wound up in January 1928 following Sanger-Shepherd's death.

A limited company was formed in 1909 with capital of £4000, the partners at that time were E. Sanger-Shepherd, R.L. Cocks, A.F. Hills (he must have re-joined the partnership or not actually left as reported), and E.D. Doncaster.

The proprietress of E.S.S. is shown as Geraldine Geoghegan.

Sawyer left Norwich around 1871, he was later with Autotype.

Partnership between Lyddell Sawyer and Percy Lankester dissolved in 1899.

Agents for Voigtländer from 1933.

Paper and plate manufacturers, including the Otto brand of P.O.P. Advertised until around 1911.

In 1877 the firm was advertising the Scenograph camera, later it advertised the Woodbury photometer and lantern equipment. In 1882 the Sciopticon camera was listed, by this time the manger is shown as George Smith, the patentee of the camera.

A note in the London Gazette for 1879 states that the Sciopticon Company, owned by Walter Bentley Woodbury, is now out of business. The Gt. Portland Street address, used until this time, is the same as that used by the Woodbury printing company. It seems that around 1880 Woodbury closed the Sciopticon business and that George Smith purchased or took over the running of the firm.

William Scorer patented and produced a field camera with extensive lens movements (BP 12573/1888, 14537/1889).

Makers of the 'Scottish' roller blind shutter.

The firm was to produce transparent film, it created a good deal of interest in the trade press when announced in 1899 but despite a factory being equipped nothing much materialised. The firm was wound up in early 1901. The film had a paper backing, to this a layer of a rubber solution was applied followed by a layer of collodion and then the gelatine emulsion. After processing a similar film, except that the gelatine layer was not sensitised, was applied to the front of the negative and the two pressed together. The two sheets of paper could then be removed. It was claimed that indentations in the paper were reproduced in the second rubber layer and that these diffused the light when printing, giving a softer image that required little retouching. The indentations also provided a ground where any retouching was needed.

Selo was a joint venture formed in 1919 between Imperial, Illingworth, Ilford, Rajar, Gem, Wellington and APM to produce roll-film.

The firm, managed by G. Watmough Webster, were makers of the Sepac camera and chemicals. G. Watmough Webster (fellow of the RPS) ran a photographic studio from 33 Bridge St.

According to the British Journal of Photography the Sepac name is made up as follows: SE is for S Elected, P is for Photographic, A is for Apparatus, C is for Chemical.

Est. 1889. In 1901 they were known as The Service Photographic Society and operated a scheme whereby customers shared in the profits of the company.

Sharp & Hitchmough was formed around 1888 by H.B. Sharp and H.C. Hitchmough. Sharp had previously worked for Newton & Co. in Liverpool. Following Sharp's death in 1903 the firm continued trading until 1907. They operated a large wholesale business and also manufactured items including cameras; they used the Aptus brand name. Moore & Co. were later at this address.

Stereoscope maker, patented a folding design in 1855.

The firm was established around 1887 as retailers and wholesalers of cameras, lenses and other items, they used the brand name of Norfolk for re-badged items. The firm was owned by Frank Mottershaw.

The change of name to Shepherd & Co. occurred early in 1859 if advertisements can be trusted. But they may have used both forms at the same time. Shepherd & Co. and Charles Shepherd & Co. would have been used without much distinction. A note in the LPOD for 1864 states that Squire are the sole manufacturers of Shepherd lenses, Shepherd is no longer listed by that time.

During the Myddleton Street period Shepherd seems to have been an optician, lens maker and retailer. Later (c. 1858) his business expanded when he claims to have opened new premises to manufacturer a range of items including cameras. At that time he describes himself as a trade manufacturer of lenses and importer. At around this time the name of the firm changed and they moved to Farringdon Street.

Myddleton Street, Berkely Ct. and St James's Walk are all close together in an area then known as Spafields. 97 Farringdon Street was one door from Fleet Street.

Shew claims establishment in 1849, the earliest reference found is for 1851. The years up to 1873 are straightforward, advertisements show them to be retailers of photographic equipment. Around 1873 the name of the firm changes to J.J. Shew at the same address, this would be when J.F. Shew died. In 1877 or 78 J.J. continues in business from a different address (Wardour St.) and the J.F. name returns, this time as J.F. Shew & Co, still at the old address. In 1881 J.J. vacates his premises in Wardour Street and moves to his home address in Camberwell, the Wardour street shop is then run by J.F. Shew & Co. The production of photograph mounts must have formed a large part of the Shew business at this time.

The nature of the company changed rapidly in the mid 1880s when Shew embarked on large scale manufacture of cameras. This would be when Fox Shew took an active role in running the firm.

In 1896 Shew brought a case against Société des Lunetiers for infringement of the Eclipse patent. At this time the owner of the firm is given as L.H. Perry, following his death in a road accident (1900) the business was taken over by J.F. (Fox) Shew and Harriett Parsons.

In 1909 Shew was taken over by W. J. Ramsey, formerly manager of the photographic department of the Army and Navy stores.

In 1915 Shew merged with Staley, this lasted only to 1919, from then until 1922 the J.F. Shew company name was revived (Ltd. from 1920), when they were at 21 Bartlett's Buildings, under the ownership of Albert James Garrad. Garrad along with Benjamin William Dale were the two partners of Staley & Co. of 19 Thavies Inn and Staley, Shew & Co. of 88 Newman St., the British Journal of Photography of December 1919 states that Garrad will be opening the J.F. Shew & Co. business early in 1920 and will be supplying improved Shew pattern cameras.

James Fludger Shew advertised in the Photographic News of 1858 as a supplier of photographic products at 30 Oxford St. He was adjudged bankrupt in 1869 and agreed a schedule to pay his creditors.

James John Shew was living at 132 Camberwell Rd in 1881 described as a Photographic Apparatus Manufacturer, later he would be making picture frames. He had sons James C. Shew (b. 1872) and Albert (b. 1874), these two sons were later listed as picture frame makers at the same address.

Living at 89 Newman St. in 1881 were Harriett Parsons (b. 1851), described as a dealer in photographic materials; Leo Shew (b. 1860), described as lodger and assistant photographic dealer and Fox Shew (son of James Fludger) also described as a lodger and mount cutter. Patents taken out in the 1890s are in the name of F. Shew. James Fox Shew was elected a member of the RPS in 1883, presumably this is the Fox Shew born in 1854.

An advertisement in the BJA of 1916 for H. T. Ball & Co. notes that he was with J.F. Shew for 17 years.

See PA 1891 or BJA 1899 for a drawing of the Newman St. premises. A photograph of J. Fox Shew is contained in the Photographic Dealer for June 1902.

Sichel, established around 1887, were wholesalers and dealers, prior to World War I they sold cameras under their own name, in the 1930s they supplied heavy-duty enlargers and darkroom equipment. Around 1937 they became part of Modern Products (L.C.E.) Ltd. first at 264 Chiswick High Road, then 11 Victoria Street. Agents for Premo in the late 1890s and Contessa. Otto Sichel.

The partnership of Frank Lindsay-Simpson (see Newman & Simpson) and Henry Hill was started around April 1892 and dissolved around August of the same year.

The company was registered in September 1903 with capital of £10,000 and traded from late 1903 or early 1904. In 1910 Sinclair took over Sanders & Co. makers of the Birdland Reflex. On January 1st 1931 Charing Cross became part of Whitehall. The move from Haymarket to Charing Cross was around December 1925 to January 1926. The BJA of 1927 gives an illustration of the building.

James A. Sinclair was previously manager of the West End branch of Adams & Co. (he was with Adams at least as early as 1893). After leaving Adams he spent some time at Ross managing the Cockspur St. branch. He was a member of the Liverpool Amateur Photographic Association, elected a member of the RPS in 1892, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer of the Photographic Club and a prominent user of the bromoil process.

Diagram showing relationship between the Newman, Adams and Sinclair companies.

Skinner was the founder of Hobbies, a company specialising in fretwork and wooden models for which they supplied plans, tools and materials. They also sold cameras either ready-made or in kit form. Photographic patents include BP8054/1889 and BP12001/1890.

An earlier partnership between Skinner an Edwin J. Lyth importers and dealers in fretwork and photographic goods was dissolved in 1890.

Lenses by Slater fitted with Waterhouse stops were advertised as early as September 1858. Best known for his astronomical instruments.

For a short while, late 1890s to the mid 1900s, Smedley advertised an extremely large range of products including cameras and studio furniture. Many items were sold under their own name. By 1906 the firm was owned by Joseph Ignatius Smith and was having financial difficulties.

The partnership between Smith and George Albert Loveridge, trading as opticians at 153 Fleet St., was ended 4th August 1874. Previously Smith worked for Negretti & Zambra at 153 Fleet Street, he was apprenticed to William Peter Piggott. In the 1880s he managed H & E.J. Dale.

Active in the 1890s and 1900s, advertised as maker of the Invincible magazine camera.

Probably camera manufacturers, a very distinctive model - the A1 Long and Short Focus - is shown in the 1889 BJA.

Formed from APM Ltd in 1929. This was the sales and distribution outlet for Kershaw. Around 1946 it was listed as Kershaw-Soho (Sales). From around 1947 it became part of the Rank Organisation.

Listed as camera makers after 1854, previously dealers and opticians, they were the agent for Grubb lenses in the early 1860s. Liquidation proceedings were started in 1878 but the company was trading until 1889 at 22 Red Lion Sq.

A series of interesting articles by Solomon was published as 'Recollections' in the American journal - Photographic Times and American Photographer (1887), these give an account of his early involvement in photography. These date from 1839 when he was in Paris and London and recall his dealings with Edward Palmer, Andrew Ross, Thomas Sutton and Willats. He imported many French lenses into Britain during these early years. Advertisements from 1863 list high-quality cameras including Ottewill and lenses from Grubb, Lerebours & Secretan, Alexis Millet and Maugey. Also listed are Neville's patent lenses for microscopic photography and cameras for producing micro photographs.

Solomon retired from the business in 1881 and moved to New York, he died in 1890. From 1889 the business is shown as having been taken over by E. Abenheim (see below) trading from 341 Camden Road Holloway. Sensitive paper was listed by Abenheim, the extent of the business is not clear.

Books by Solomon: Photographic wrinkles, remedies and recipes, 1st pub. 1860. Photography in three lesson. A book for beginners, 1863, then expanded to four and six lessons. Vitrified photographs on enamel; the powder and film process, 1873. Photovitrified enamelling; or the art of vitrifying photographs on enamel or china, being the secret process taught for years past at J Solomon's photographic warehouse, 1874.

From 1900 the photographic business that was previously 'F.W. Hudlass' was run by The Southport Photo Appliances Company. The firm produced the Southport Enlarging Table sold by Sanders & Crowhurst and J.A. Sinclair.

Spencer manufactured albumenised paper and later carbon tissue, he also operated a photographic studio from the above address. John Alexander Spencer (d. 20/4/1878) was one of the partners in Spencer, Sawyer, Bird & Co. (Autotype Co.).

In 1858 they describe themselves as importers and retailers of photographic goods, they also advertise that lenses can be ground to order. In earlier almanacs they are described as hardware merchants. John Spencer sen. (d. 10/8/1890) retired in 1869. George Mason ran the firm for a short while, he then started a company under his own name. The firm of John Spencer from that time (1870) concentrated on export orders, probably still connected with Mason.

Lewis Hiram Spicer are at 6 Garnault Place, Spafields, London and from around 1853 listed as cabinet makers and Daguerreotype manufacturers. Later, William Spicer was at the same address, in 1881 he is described as a cabinet maker employing 2 men.

The first Lewis Hiram Spicer is described as a cabinet maker he is at Garnault Place from 1834, it is his name that is shown above. Two of his sons are William and Lewis Hiram Spicer, William is also a cabinet maker and took the firm into making photographic equipment, the other son - Lewis Hiram Spicer - is shown as a cabinet maker but probably changed profession quite early. The first Lewis Hiram Spicer had another son - Lewis - who died before reaching maturity.

It appears that the firm's name remained as Lewis Hiram Spicer after the founder's death, this may have been the case until Lewis Hiram's wife - Emma - died. The firm's name then changed to William Spicer.

The firm's involvement in camera making may have been slight and limited to the period it was run by William, possibly they carried out manufacture for other companies on a jobbing basis.

Spicer Brothers, later called Blackfriars Photographic Supply Co., were wholesale stationers and suppliers of sensitised albumen paper, for a short time around 1890 they advertised cameras. They are known from the early 1800s until 1898 when they merged with the London Photographic Supply Co. to form the London & Blackfriars Photographic Supply Co. In 1899 London & Blackfriars sold the sensitised paper side of the firm, which must have been the old Spicer Brothers operation, to Houghton.

The partnership between Henry Spicer, Edward Spicer and Augustin Spicer, trading as Blackfriars Photographic and Sensitising Co. was dissolved by mutual consent from March 1895 and the company was sold most probably to Frederick Oswald Scott. At some point William Gage Spicer was also a partner in the Spicer Brothers firm.

Spratt Brothers were leading apparatus manufacturers to the trade, in 1904 they merged into Houghtons Ltd. In 1893 the firm comprised Henry James S. Alfred Sidney S. and George Albert S. Patents were issued to the three brothers. Following the Houghton merger the Tudor works was the main factory for the company. A photograph of A.S. Spratt is in the Photographic Dealer for June 1902.

Importers, dealers and manufacturers, non photographic items were also part of their business. Cameras were probably bought-in but a note in the LPOD for 1864 says they are the sole manufacturers of Shepherd lenses. Bankruptcy proceedings were started in 1867. In 1870 Henry Squire & Co. were at the King William Street address as lithographers.

In 1915 Staley amalgamated with J.F. Shew and operated from the Shew address in Newman St.

W. F. Stanley is best known as the maker of drawing instruments and related equipment. His advertisements for cameras stress that they are machine produced, he patented camera designs in the 1880s. According to Hambly, Stanley was established in 1853 at the Turnstile address. The firm was registered with capital of £120,000 in April 1900. He does not appear in the BJA after 1900.

Their design for the use of studs to attach the front standard (BP 2811/1886) has also appeared on a camera by Sands & Hunter, possibly supplied by Stanley.

Opticians and retailer of lantern equipment, later they included cameras in their advertisements.

Not much is known about the company, the first reference below notes that they have issued a catalogue of equipment. Cameras sold by them include the Dreadnought, Fearnought and Pearl. One camera bearing their name is known to exist.

At one time Swift worked for Andrew Ross, an establishment date of 1857 is given in advertisements. Photographic lens production probably started in the late 1880s and lasted until the early 1890s. In 1946 the company was taken over by E.R. Watts & Son which became Hilger & Watts in 1948.

Mansell Swift was in partnership with Herbert Francis Angus as scientific instrument dealers at 83 Wigmore Street, this ended in 1913.

The firm was established in the late 1880s to sell a patented hand camera; they advertised for only a few years. By 1893 Swinden was operating on his own, advertising an improved hand camera.

The firm was founded by Henry Percy Tattersall around 1884. Around 1901 or earlier the firm was purchased by G. Jones (senior) and run by his son, also G. Jones. One of the Jones's was associated with the company by 1896 as a trade mark is registered in that name. The Talmer trade mark was registered in 1896 (No. 199376). The Miral trade mark (No. 225692) was registered in September 1899.

Talbot & Eamer Mirals, Ltd. was registered on the 21 April 1909 with capital of £1,000, M.M. Robertson was connected with the firm at this time.

A & G Taylor were leading photographers of the time, some cameras carry their name plaque. Their studio is described in The Photographic Studios of Europe.

George Taylor died on 15 Dec 1911 the obituary in the British Journal of Photography records that his first success was a set of photographs taken of Queen Victoria at Balmoral, the proceeds from the sale of these photos allowed him to open a studio in London.

Taylor Hobson was founded in 1887, Thomas S. Taylor, one of the founders died in 1938, his brother William Taylor had died the previous year. H.W. Hobson retired from the firm in 1896. The firm became a limited company in 1901 with capital of £20,000. A photograph of W. Taylor is in the AP 18/6/1919.

Later part of the Rank Organisation. Kingslake states that T.T.H. was part owned by Bell and Howell from the early 1930s and that these shares were acquired by Rank in 1946. The Competition Commission Report (1969) states that T.T.H. was part of Gaumont British taken over by Rank in 1941.

The move of the head office to 8 & 10 Charing Cross Road was in April 1896. The move to Berners St. was in March 1899.

In 1914 the directors were Herbert Ellis (Chairman), W. Taylor (Governing Director), T.S. Taylor, W.S. Hobson and W.B. Appleton. During the World War II period the T.T.H London office was in Mill Hill.

William Barker Mason owned or was connected with Taylor & Co., chemists, later to become Taylor's Drug Co. He was also a partner in Watkinson & Co. who probably manufactured cameras for Taylor's. Later Taylor's merged with Timothy Whites.

Their first camera (a magazine camera for films) was based on two patents by A.L. Adams. The camera was introduced in the summer of 1898, Adams passed the patents to the Tella Camera Co. Ltd when it was formed in 1899 with capital of £16,000 and acquired a major shareholding in the company. The limited company was wound up in April 1901, W.E. Dunmore then owned the firm entirely. Adams had left the firm by January 1901 and had no further financial interest in it. Later the owners are given as Wm. E. Dunmore and H.G. Chessher.

Tella's early address (Shaftesbury Av) was shared with Dunmore who operated a retail business under his own name and later an auction business from a different address. W.E. Dunmore exhibited the Tella to several photographic Societies in 1899.

In early 1904 Chessher became the owner of the Tella Camera Co. but Dunmore retained the rights to the Tella camera (i.e. the magazine camera) he went on to open a retail shop in Croydon. Chessher patented a reflex camera and shutter under the Tella Camera Co. name in 1909. In the 1910-11 edition of the Penrose Annual Tella advertise themselves as commercial and technical photographers. After 1915 the company is listed at 1 Southampton Row, around 1920 the company name changed to Tella Co. Ltd.

Herbert Chessher, photographer, is listed at 169 Oxford Street between 1918 and 1920.

Scientific instrument and lens manufacturers. The Photographic News records a fire at Tench's premises in 1875. Tench was with J.H. Dallmeyer for over 7 years.

Tench must have been in partnership with George Albert Loveridge as the London Gazette notes that the partnership was dissolved on 4 October 1875. Premises were at Fleet St. and 57 Denmark St., Camberwell. Loveridge was previously in partnership with C.D. Smith at the Fleet street premises.

The limited company was registered on 22 November 1909 with a capital of £25,000. The directors were F. H. Glover, Admiral Sir Frederick G. D. Bedford, 0.S. Dawson and C.L. Finlay. Oliver Samuel Dawson and Clare Livingstone Finlay held patents for the process used.

Dry plate production started around 1878, at first in Pall Mall, then at Balham and from 1883 at Thornton Heath. B.E. Edwards was Managing Director from 1897. Thomas patented and produced a dark tent in 1864. J.T. Sandell (d. 1907) worked for R. W. Thomas (the company) and introduced the Sandell double-film plates. Later he founded the Sandell Dry Plates and Films Co. where he introduced the Cristoid brand.

Books by R.W. Thomas: The Modern Practise of Photography.

Probably manufacturers, advertised the Scotia field camera. Active late 1880s early 1890s.

The company was formed by J.E. Thornton after he left Thornton-Pickard, it was registered in early 1900 (Co. no. 64746) but traded for only a short time as it was judged that Thornton had breached an agreement with Thornton-Pickard preventing him from manufacturing "photographic appliances". The company was liquidated in November 1901. A report of the first shareholders meting in June 1900 gives the impression that the factory is ready to start production, a note in the Photographic Dealer of September 1900 says that the paper-backed stripping film is ready and is being demonstrated by Walter D. Welford.

The two main products of the company were a paper-backed stripping film and a film with a permanent paper base. Both products were available in sheets or as roll-film, known as Dayroll. The production of bromide paper was announced but did not reach production, ordinary gelatine film was also planned. The stripping film, called Glassoline, consisted of emulsion coated on insoluble gelatine with a transparent paper backing, the paper gave support and, being transparent, allowed the development process to be observed, the paper was stripped off the film when dry. The paper had a coating of a proprietary substance called 'Flexoid' that allowed it to be easily stripped from the gelatine base. As well as giving support the paper backing ensured that the film dried flat without the need to be pressed to a glass sheet. The cheaper film product, called Paperoid, had a permanent paper base, it was advertised at the start of 1901 in both sheet and roll-film.

Patents covering the firm's products were issued jointly to Thornton and C.F.S. Rothwell during 1899. Thornton also patented a coating machine (BP 5793/1899) which was used at the factory. Rothwell worked for Thornton Film Co. and after its collapse for Brooks-Watson (Rajar).

The company was founded in 1886 by John Edward Thornton who patented improvements to field cameras, shutters and other photographic equipment. The cameras at this time were manufactured by Billcliff, production facilities probably followed the move to St Mary's St. Advertisements for his earliest camera - the Jubilee - show it to have Billcliff's patented revolving back, a year later cameras are fitted with Thornton's revolving back. This may indicate that Thornton was now making or assembling cameras. In 1888 Edgar Pickard joined the company forming Thornton-Pickard. Edgar Pickard died in 1897 and was succeeded as a director by his brother George Arthur Pickard (b. 1850, d. 1919). From 1921 APM were the leading shareholders in the company which continued to trade under its own name until c. 1940.

Around 1913 T-P acquired the business of the Midland Camera Co. Ltd. (M.C.C.) and continued to produce M.C.C. enlargers.

The Photographic News of 3/1/1896 reports on a visit to the factory, it was claimed that T-P made 500 shutters a week.

An advertisement of 1899 states they have 10 years experience but whether this refers to the firm or W.H. Tomkinson the person is not clear. The 'Practical' hand camera was listed.

Makers of the Beaufort Reflex, Nichols' patent.

The company was registered with capital of £2000 in 1901, it was part of Boots the chemists.

Originally a manufacturer of dark-slides, accessories and dark room equipment, they later manufactured cameras including the Tit-Bit. A limited company was formed in 1907 but the firm was made bankrupt in 1909 the liabilities being £3,665 with assets of £2,604, in previous years the net profit of the firm was £700 per annum.

William Tylar died in 1930, a photograph of him is contained in the Photographic Dealer for June 1902.

Tyler and England were manufacturers of photographic mounts and, from around 1900, developed a substantial wholesale business in other photographic goods including cameras. They used the Kay-Cee and later TEB brand names for their own products and for those sold wholesale. (Kay-Cee was an allusion to Kings Cross, the area where they were situated). They were founded in 1897, England Brothers can be traced to the early 1890s. Reports on visits to the factory in the July 1900 and March 1903 Photographic Dealer show mount manufacturing but no camera production, however they were issued patents for falling plate cameras. In 1907 the company was taken over by Butcher.

Maker of Magic Lanterns, slides and accessories. In 1894 Tyler purchased the lease of 94 Waterloo Rd., the show rooms remained at numbers 48 - 50. Walter Tyler (b. 1847, d. 1909).

The 48 - 50 Waterloo Rd. building is shown in the Dec 1891 issue of the Optical Magic lantern Journal