Identifying the subjects of two photographs taken in G B Rhode’s studio and a further photo of two
boys.
The photos were in the collection of Lillian Sarjeant. The two studio photos are thought to be of Lillian herself (b.c. 1892/3) and of her younger brother Arthur (b.1905). If Lillian is age one then the photo would have been taken around 1893/4. If Arthur is aged two then the photo was taken around 1907, which is very late for this type of photo, but probably not out of the question for an elderly photographer in the provinces. A puzzle is why the year of establishment of the photographic business (1866) would be omitted on the later photograph of Arthur, where it would add extra credibility, but included on the earlier photo of Lillian. Also, if the photo is of Lillian why refer to the previous business (Albert Fowler), when G B Rhodes had already been established for some 27 years? Perhaps he had a lot of cards printed early on in the business and was just using them up.
These
photos are carte de visite, which were introduced into England in 1850. They
became popular in 1860s, which was their heyday, presumably when the cost was reduced
from half-a-crown to one shilling. They were mounted on cards measuring 2.5” x
4.0”. They were still produced in large
numbers until the 1890s, but early 20C. examples can be found. In the 1860s the corners were square cut but
later they were rounded. In the 1860s the printing on the backs was simple but
in the 1870s these became more ornate and grew to fill the space available.
Elaboration reached its height In the 1880s when the cards were often packed
with information, giving addresses of other branches. By the 1890s some used gold printing on black
card. It is feasible that the card used in the 1907 photo was printed in the 1890s. From trade directories the photographer was known to have changed premises between 1893 and 1902, which would have prompted the need for new cards.
The
most helpful information for dating these photos is from the information about
the photographer given in trade directories that was found by Brian Sarjeant[1]. The photo of Arthur refers to ‘100 Wicker’ so this should have been taken in or after 1893 when the photographer's address still appeared as 96 Wicker. The photo of Lillian refers to 'Victoria Studio, which could be the former address at 96 Wicker dating this photo as before 1902.
The nearby Victoria station opened in 1851. Note that directories are compiled over several months so the information could have been out-of-date when printed.
The last directory entry of 1905 does not mean G B Rhodes had ceased trading by the time the next directory was published. However, G B Rhodes would have been in business 39 years by that date so it is likely that he would have ceased trading sometime soon after that 1905. I have not so far been able to find when the next directory was published after 1905, or check the entries in it. Directories are only compiled every few years and later directories might not have been indexed by Sheffied Indexers. Alternatively this particular entry could just have been omitted.
In White’s 1852 directory 100 Wicker was listed as ‘Joseph GREEN Ginger beer maker &c.’
The nearby Victoria station opened in 1851. Note that directories are compiled over several months so the information could have been out-of-date when printed.
The last directory entry of 1905 does not mean G B Rhodes had ceased trading by the time the next directory was published. However, G B Rhodes would have been in business 39 years by that date so it is likely that he would have ceased trading sometime soon after that 1905. I have not so far been able to find when the next directory was published after 1905, or check the entries in it. Directories are only compiled every few years and later directories might not have been indexed by Sheffied Indexers. Alternatively this particular entry could just have been omitted.
In White’s 1852 directory 100 Wicker was listed as ‘Joseph GREEN Ginger beer maker &c.’
‘100
Wicker and 31 Crabtree, Sheffield’ is printed on the back of another
photograph belonging to Sheffield Archives; 'The
occasion of the wedding of Elizabeth Gunning and Edward James O'Brien in 1898'. This photo is mounted on the same card as the boy and they have dated
this as c. 1898. It is possible that the photographer was using the same cards in 1907. Since the photo refers to “Bert when two years old”
there is the possibility that this is an accurate date, but if they don’t know
who Bert is then they will be resorting to other methods for dating old photos. If this date is correct it suggest that the Lillian's photo, referring to 'Victoria Studio', dates from before 1898
A
carte de visite by G B Rhodes, Artist and Photographer of 100 Wicker and 31
Crabtree, Sheffield, c. 1898 (Sheffield
Archives: SY284/B17/22)
Unsurprisingly, the chair in the photo above is the same one as in the photo of Arthur but the curtain appears to be different. although another curtain can be seen on the right of Arthur's photo. Placing the subjects in front of a neutral background, with a curtain to one side, is typical of the 1860s, but it is quite possible that photographers in the provinces would not keep up with fashion.
Note
that Bert is wearing ‘girl’s’ clothing and had long hair. This was normal in
Victorian and Edwardian times, but this fashion began to wane after about 1895
and no longer a major fashion convention by 1905[2] adding weight to a date of 1907.
In
the late 1880s lace-up shoes for children became an alternative to the
previously standard buttoned boots whereas Arthur is wearing boots is 1907. Without a greater knowledge of children's clothing it is hard to know if this is significant. Children's boots are not likely to get worn out so they could be second-hand.
In
the photo of two boys, aged say nine and two, we (Dianne, Brian and Tony) all
immediately saw the likeness of Alfred Sarjeant (b 1898) in the older boy,
which would date this photo around
1907. If this is the case then
younger boy could very well be his younger brother, Arthur Sarjeant, which adds
weight to one of the CdVs being Arthur as there is a facial similarity.
In conclusion, the indications are that these are the people suggested and there is no evidence that would preclude the photos, taken by G B Rhodes, being of 1) Lillian Sarjeant,
taken around 1893/4 and 2) Arthur Sarjeant, taken around 1907, although the latter is a very
late examples of a CdV. The photo held by Sheffield Archives places the photo (1893/4) of Lillian earlier than 1898 and the evidence from trade directories place the photo (1907) of Arthur after 1893.
Further
investigation could be made of the next trade directory published after 1905 and of children’s clothing, but the latter may not be too
helpful as there are not hard and fast rules to what people wear.
References:
Dating
Old Photographs. Robert Pols, 1992
An
Introduction to Photographic Processes and Formats. © Sheffield City Council,
2010
[1] A website, called
the Sheffield Indexers, has a list of photographers covering the 19th and 20th
centuries. It lists George Booth Rhodes at 96 the Wicker, which is listed in
the Kelly's directories of 1881 and 1893. The address then changed to 100 the
Wicker, which is listed in the White's directories of 1902 and 1905, the last
listing for him.
