a century plus photo of a Norman Church in Scotland by James Velentine
Toronto. Old photo collectors search diligently for photos that complement their collections. Travel scenes are often enthusiastically collected since many more studio scenes and portraits exist today.
Around 2001/2002, Thomas Ritchie wrote the article, “Pioneers of Landscape Photography in Europe” which appears on page 4 of issue 27-4. Mr Ritchie recounts the photographers whose photographs populate one family’s memory book of a trip long ago.
The photographers who took the photos were noted in some detail in his illustrated article. He begins, “An album, found in an antique shop near Perth, Ontario, contains many landscape photographs of places in Scotland, England, France, Switzerland and Italy. What long forgotten memories lie recorded here – who might have actually experienced assembling the photographs during some distant holiday sojourn?
“The name M. J. McLaren is printed on the cover while one of the several pictures that have come unglued from the pages has the name K. McLaren penciled onto the back with the revealing date of May, 1892.
“A photograph of a college in Oxford, England is stamped on the back with the name of stationer E. Beesley of that city. The photographs obviously had been acquired by the McLarens as souvenirs during a visit to Europe.
“The collection represents commercially prepared photographs available to the visiting tourist who chose to purchase views rather than “snap” their own photographs. Supplying such images was a major industry for a coterie of photographers catering to this niche market.
“Soon to be replaced by the lithographed and photographic post card, the McLaren album documents an era when the photograph was “king” for collecting memories.
“Many of the photographs have a serial number, a title of the scene and initials that identify the photographer. The scenics in England and Scotland are the work of James Valentine, G.W. Wilson, F.G.O. Stuart, Francis Bedford and Francis Frith.
“Historic buildings were photographed by the French firm of “X” while another French photographer “ND” supplied photos of scenes in Switzerland. A view of a canal in Venice is from the studio of P. Salviati of that city and a photograph of Lucerne, Switzerland is the work of Giorgio Sommer of Naples, Italy.” …
Members read and saw all the article its illustrations in the issue 27-4 pdf file on the ‘free’ members-only thumb drive. See above and at right to join or renew. Email any questions to member@phsc.ca.
Those searching for old photos and other old photographic items can visit our many 2026 Events. The next event is our Spring Fair on May 24th of this year. Come out and see the many photographic items offered – old and new(ish) – rare and common (at one time). Cheap admission. Free parking. Good food and friendly people!
