Derbyshire Photographers Profiles : A & G Taylor of Derby
Derbyshire Photographers' Profiles
by Brett Payne, of Tauranga, New Zealand
A. & G. Taylor

of the Royal Studio, 57 London Street and 63 London Road, Derby

A. & G. Taylor had opened branches of their original London photographic studio nationwide by the 1880s.  The Derby studio had opened by 1881, and remained in business until at least 1903.

Go straight to Portfolio


This firm was founded in London in the 1860s by Andrew and George Taylor, and by 1888 had expanded enormously, with branches in most parts of the country.  The earliest entry in Derby trade directories is in Kelly's 1881, probably compiled in late 1880, at which time the premises were at 57 London Street.  Photographs dated at c.1878 from A & G Taylor studios elsewhere do not show Derby listed on the reverse, suggesting that the Derby studio was not open by then.  Further trade directory entries have been found for 1887, 1891, 1895 and 1899 (Kelly's), but between 1887 and 1891 the premises had moved to 63 London Road.  Both premises were known at various times as the Royal Studio.

The first entry for Andrew & George Taylor in the Derby Electoral Registers is dated 1 October 1881.  This lists
premises in London street which are un-numbered, although situated between numbers 55 and 59.  The electoral register entry for the following year (31 Oct 1882) shows the address 57 London street, as do the registers for 1883 to 1887 (October).  Electoral registers after 1887 do not list the 57 London street address at all, and do not show A & G Taylor at 63 London road.  Instead they show Arthur William Lowe (1888-1889) and Herbert Mountford Holmes (1890-1892) as residents at number 63, and it is possible that A & G Taylor were tenants of a room at this address.
Partial reconstruction from an image contributed by &
A. & G. Taylor label, dated c. late 1880s
Partial reconstruction from
an image contributed by &
© Karen Cross
A label from the reverse of a photograph tentatively dated in the late 1880s (see above right) shows A. & G. Taylor at the Royal Studio, 63 London Road, Derby, with branches at Sheffield, Nottingham, Goole, Doncaster and Barnsley, under the proprietorship of Mr. W. Middleton, "managing partner".  William Middleton was born in Aberdeen, Scotland c. 1837, and operated the studio in Sheffield from as early as 1879 until at least 1891. The Goole branch studio operated on Victoria Street during the period 1889-1891.  Craven (1993) suggests that the firm of A & G Taylor was operating in Derby until at least 1903, but two CDVs shown below from c.1900 suggest that at around the turn of the century, William Middleton briefly took over ownership of the studio.

Portfolio
Image © & collection of Brett Payne
Portrait of unidentified young woman
by A. & G. Taylor of The Studio, Crown Court, Duke Street, Cardiff
Undated, but probably taken c. 1878-1880
Format: Carte de Visite
Size: Mount 63.5 x 102 mm Photo 57 x 89.5 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes: Although from A. & G. Taylor's studio in Cardiff, this cardstock is almost identical to the earliest known Taylor's Derby studio (see below).  It has the same list of studios, except that it includes Dublin, and not Derby.  Presumably it was therefore produced shortly bvefore the Derby studio opened.

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & collection of Brett Payne Portrait of unidentified man
by A. & G. Taylor of Furnival Chambers, 101 Norfolk Street, Sheffield
Undated, but probably taken c. 1876-1878
Format: Carte de Visite
Size: Mount 63.5 x 101 mm Photo 56.5 x 90.5 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne


Notes:
Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & collection of Brett Payne Portrait of unidentified woman
by A. & G. Taylor of
Furnival Chambers, 101 Norfolk Street, Sheffield
Undated, but probably taken c. 1876-1878
Format: Carte de Visite
Size: Mount 63.5 x 101.5 mm Photo 56.5 x 90.5 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne


Notes:
Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & courtesy of Samantha Smith Portrait of unknown young man,
by A. & G. Taylor,
of the Royal Studio, 57 London Street, Derby (opposite Holmes' Coach Factory)
Undated, but probably taken c. 1879-1880
Format: Carte de Visite
Negative No. 3219

Image © & courtesy of Samantha Smith

Notes: The low negative number indicates that this was probably one of the earliest portraits from the A & G Taylor studio in Derby.

Image © & courtesy of Samantha Smith

Image © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified woman holding photo album
by A. & G. Taylor of Royal Studio, 57 London Street, Derby (opposite Holmes' Coach Factory)
Undated, but copied c. 1879-1880 from an earlier photo
probably taken in the late 1860s
Format: Carte de Visite
Size: Mount 63 x 101 mm Photo 59 x 91.5 mm Frame 49 x 76 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes: Inscribed "Copy" on the front in pencil.
Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified woman
by A. & G. Taylor of Royal Studio, 57 London Street, Derby (opposite Holmes' Coach Factory)
Undated, but
probably taken c. 1879-1882
Format: Carte de Visite
Size: Mount 63 x 101 mm Photo 58.5 x 92 mm Cameo 52.5 x 76.5 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes:
Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified woman
by A. & G. Taylor of Royal Studio, 57 London Street, Derby (opposite Holmes' Coach Factory)
Undated, but
probably taken c. 1879-1882
Format: Carte de Visite
Size: Mount 63 x 101.5 mm Photo 56 x 90.5 mm Frame 48 x 69.5 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes:
Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified elderly man
by A. & G. Taylor of Queen Anne's Buildings, New Briggate, Leeds
Undated, but
probably taken c. 1875-1879
Format: Carte de Visite
Size: Mount 63 x 101.5 mm Photo 56.5 x 92.5 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes:
Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified man with fringe beard
by A. & G. Taylor of
Queen Ann's Buildings, New Briggate, Leeds, 34 Church Street, Liverpool & 2 Crown Buildings, Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C.
Undated, but
probably taken c. 1877-1880
Format: Carte de Visite
Size: Mount 62 x 102.5 mm Photo 56 x 92.5 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes:
Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & courtesy of Roger Beswick Emma Coy (?), taken by A & G Taylor of 57 London Street, Derby, Undated, but probably taken c. 1880-1882
Size: 63 x 105 mm
Format: Carte de Visite

Image © & courtesy of Roger Beswick

The card stock for this photograph was produced by Marion Imp of Paris & London, and this specific design (Roger Vaughan's "Rotating Squares") was produced from c.1870 until at least 1884.  This photographer's studio moved from the premises shown (57 London Street) to 63 London Road prior to 1891.

Image © & courtesy of Roger Beswick

Image © & courtesy of Martin Jackson George Bridges (b. 6 November 1864 Rodsley DBY d. 30 September 1935 Derby DBY)
by A. & G. Taylor
Undated, but probably taken c. 1881-1883

Format: Carte de Visite

Image © & courtesy of Martin Jackson

Nothing further is known about this photo.


Image © & courtesy of Martin Jackson Mrs. Ward and family
by A. & G. Taylor
Undated, but probably copied in the early 1880s from a photo taken in the early to mid-1870s

Format: Carte de Visite

Image © & courtesy of Martin Jackson

Nothing further is known about this photo.


Image © & courtesy of Derek Smith

John Arthur William Lomas of Bakewell
by A & G Taylor of 57 London Street, Derby,
Dated on the reverse: 19 May 1884

Size: 64 x 104 mm
Format: Carte de Visite

Image © & courtesy of Derek Smith

Notes by DS: These two photographs of my late grandfather, J.A.W. Lomas of Bakewell Derbyshire have an exact date of execution i.e. May 19th 1884 to celebrate his seventeenth birthday. It was taken in Derby although he actually lived in Bakewell at the time.

Image © & courtesy of Derek Smith
Image © & courtesy of Derek Smith Image © & courtesy of Derek Smith

Image © & collection of Brett Payne
Unidentified young woman holding photo album
by A. & G. Taylor of Royal Studio, 57 London Street, Derby (opposite Holmes' Coach Factory)
Undated, but probably taken c.1884
Format: Carte de Visite
Size: Mount 63 x 102.5 mm, Photo 59 x 91 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes:
Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified woman
by A. & G. Taylor of Furnival Chambers, 101 Norfolk Street, Sheffield
Undated, but probably taken in the mid-1880s
Format: Carte de Visite
Size: Mount 62.5 x 103 mm, Photo 60 x 93 mm, Cameo Frame 47 x 69 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes:
Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & courtesy of Prue McKay and The Rootschat Collection of Victorian & Edwardian Photography Unidentified elderly man
by A. & G. Taylor of West End Cambers, Chapel Bar, Nottingham
Undated, but probably taken c.1881-1885
Format: Carte de Visite

Image © & courtesy of Prue McKay and The Rootschat Collection of Victorian & Edwardian Photography

Notes:
Image © & courtesy of Prue McKay and The Rootschat Collection of Victorian & Edwardian Photography

Image © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified family
by A. & G. Taylor of Queen Anne Buildings, New Briggate, Leeds
Undated, but probably taken c.1884
Format: Padded Cabinet Card
Size: Mount 108.5 x 166 mm, Photo 99.5 x 142 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Nothing further is known about this photo
Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & courtesy of Samantha Smith Unknown young lady,
by A. & G. Taylor of 153 Regent Street, London,
Undated, but probably taken c. 1888-1892
Format: Carte de Visite

Image © & courtesy of Samantha Smith

Nothing further is known about this photo

Image © & courtesy of Samantha Smith

Image © & courtesy of Claire Casey Unidentified woman
taken by A. & G. Taylor of 57 London Street,
Derby, Sheffield & Nottingham
Undated, but probably taken in the mid-1880s
Format: Carte de visite

Image © & courtesy of Claire Casey

Notes:
Image © & courtesy of Claire Casey

Image © & coourtesy of Claire Casey Unidentified man
taken by A. & G. Taylor of
London
Undated, but probably taken in the mid-1880s
Format: Cabinet card

Image © & coourtesy of Claire Casey

Notes:
Image © & coourtesy of Claire Casey

Image © & collection of Brett Payne
Unidentified woman
taken by A. & G. Taylor of
Furnival Chambers, 101 Norfolk Street, Sheffield (and Derby, Nottingham & Doncaster)
Undated, but probably taken in the late 1880s
Format: Carte de visite
Size: Mount 63 x 103 mm Photo 59.5 x 94 mm Central cameo 48 x 66 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes:

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified man
by A. & G. Taylor of Furnival Chambers, 101 Norfolk Street, Sheffield (and Derby, Nottingham & Doncaster)
Undated, but probably taken in the mid- to late 1880s
Format: Carte de Visite
Size: Mount 62.5 x 102.5 mm, Photo 60 x 94 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes:
Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & courtesy of Prue McKay and The Rootschat Collection of Victorian & Edwardian Photography Unidentified young man
taken by A. & G. Taylor of Queen Anne's Buildings, New Briggate, Leeds or 84 Manningham Lane, Bradford

Undated, but probably taken in the mid- to late 1880s
Format: Carte de visite

Image © & courtesy of Prue McKay and The Rootschat Collection of Victorian & Edwardian Photography

Notes:
Image © & courtesy of Prue McKay and The Rootschat Collection of Victorian & Edwardian Photography

Image © & courtesy of Ian Ward Possibly Mary Ann Hinge (1832-1889)
taken by A. & G. Taylor of Furnival Chambers, 101 Norfolk Street, Sheffield (and Derby, Nottingham & Doncaster)
Undated, but probably taken in the late 1880s
Format: Cabinet Card
Size: 106 mm x 167 mm

Image © & courtesy of Ian Ward

Notes: Although not identified in the famly album, Ian believes that this photograph is of his great-grandmother Mary Ann Hinge née Hurd (1832-1889).  The clothing, style of the photo, and address on the reverse all point to a date of between 1885 and 1888, and the woman looks to me to be in her 50s, so this would fit.

Image © & courtesy of Ian Ward

Image © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified man
by A. & G. Taylor of Furnival Chambers, 101 Norfolk Street, Sheffield (and Derby, Nottingham & Doncaster)
Undated, but probably taken in the late 1880s
Format: Carte de Visite
Size: Mount 62.5 x 102.5 mm, Photo 59.5 x 93.5 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes:
Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Images © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified young man,
by A. & G. Taylor of 57 London Street, Derby,
Undated, but probably taken between 1884 and 1887
Format: Cabinet card
Size: Mount 106 x 166 mm, Photo 102.5 x 152.5 mm
Negative No. 19287

Images © & collection of Brett Payne


Notes
Images © & collection of Brett Payne

Images © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified young woman,
by A. & G. Taylor of 57 London Street, Derby,
Undated, but probably taken between 1884 and 1887
Format: Cabinet cards
Upper Photo Size: Mount 108.5 x 167 mm, Photo 103 x 147 mm
Lower Photo Size: Mount 108 x 167 mm, Photo 102.5 x 147 mm

Images © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes. The upper photo has what looks like "Mrs Pikodes, 19 Mill Hill Rd, Derby, Marks" written on a label affixed to the reverse.  On a photo from the same group, and apparently of the same person, taken by WW Winter, the name "Rhodes" is written next to the negative number.  I can find no record of a Rhodes family living at this address between 1887 and 1895.  Census records and trade directories show a Mr. John Wall living there during that period.

Images © & collection of Brett Payne
Images © & collection of Brett Payne Images © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & collection of Brett Payne
Unidentified woman
taken by A. & G. Taylor of Furnival Chambers, 101 Norfolk Street, Sheffield (and Derby & Nottingham)
Undated, but probably taken c. 1888-1890
Format: Carte de visite
Size: Mount 62 x 103 mm Photo 58.5 x 94 mm
Neg. No. 30147

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes: Derby address shown is "63 London Road" implying a date of c. 1888-1890

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified young woman
taken by A. & G. Taylor of Furnival Chambers, 101 Norfolk Street, Sheffield (and Derby & Nottingham)
Undated, but probably taken c. 1888-1890
Format: Carte de visite
Size: Mount 62.5 x 103 mm Photo 58 x 95 mm Cameo 53 x 76.5 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes:
Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified young man
taken by A. & G. Taylor of Furnival Chambers, 101 Norfolk Street, Sheffield (and Derby & Nottingham)
Undated, but probably taken c. 1888-1890
Format: Carte de visite
Size: Mount 62.5 x 103 mm Photo 57.5 x 93 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes:
Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified young girl
taken by A. & G. Taylor of Furnival Chambers, 101 Norfolk Street, Sheffield (and Derby & Nottingham)
Undated, but probably taken c. 1888-1890
Format: Carte de visite
Size: Mount 63 x 102.5 mm Photo 59 x 91 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes:
Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & collection of Brett Payne
Unidentified older man
taken by A. & G. Taylor of 63 London Road, Derby (and Nottingham & Sheffield)
Undated, but probably taken c. 1888-1890
Format: Cabinet card
Size: Mount 107.5 x 167 mm Photo 102 x 147 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & courtesy of Marilyn McMillan Unidentified woman
taken by A. & G. Taylor of Furnival Chambers, 101 Norfolk Street, Sheffield (and Derby & Nottingham)
Undated, but probably taken
c. 1888-1890
Format: Carte de visite
Size: Mount 62 x 102 mm

Image © & courtesy of Marilyn McMillan

Notes

Image © & courtesy of Marilyn McMillan

Image © & collection of Brett Payne
Unidentified woman
taken by A. & G. Taylor of Furnival Chambers, 101 Norfolk Street, Sheffield (and Derby & Nottingham)
Undated, but probably taken
c. 1888-1890
Format: Carte de visite
Size: Mount 62.5 x 103.5 mm Photo 60.5 x 93 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & courtesy of Karen Cross Annie Goodwin née Orchard (1863-),
taken by A. & G. Taylor of 63 London Road, Derby,
Undated, but probably taken in the early 1880s and reproduced in the late 1880s
Format: Opalotype(?)
Size: 165mm x 215mm
Neg. No. Derby 22468

Image © & courtesy of Karen Cross

Image © & courtesy of Karen Cross
Notes by Karen Cross:  The subject is Mrs. Annie Goodwin (née Orchard), twin sister of my great-grandmother Fanny Orchard.  They were born on 27 February 1863 at Holy Trinity, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire.  She seems fairly young in the portrait so it may have been her eighteenth birthday or done so her twin could bring the picture with her to Australia.  My great-grandmother Fanny married Arthur John Kidd of Kings Bromley and immigrated to Queensland Australia in 1882.  They lived in Emerald until her death in 1946.  The photo came into my family's possession through my grandmother Edith Annie Francis (née Kidd).  What became of Annie Goodwin?  Please contact Karen if you have any further information.
Notes by David Simkin:  I believe Karen is almost spot on with her estimated date of the image.  The age and status of the subject (it was very rare for married women to be photographed with their hair down like this, while it was acceptable for unmarried girls, up to the age of eighteen or so, to wear their hair long and loose), and the fashion details all point to a date of around 1882.
The A. & G. Taylor label is problematic.  The label on the back mentions a number of branch studios at Sheffield, Nottingham, Goole, Doncaster and Barnsley.  One of the studio addresses is West End Chambers, Chapel Bar, Nottingham.  A. & G. Taylor's branch studio in Nottingham from 1879 to 1881 was at 1½
Derby Road.  Around 1882, A. & G. Taylor moved to 107 Parliament Street, Chapel Bar, Nottingham and remained there until 1908.  The studio was at the junction of Parliament Street and Chapel Bar and the address was often given as Chapel Bar, Nottingham.  There was a branch studio in Sheffield from 1878 to 1879 and in Doncaster from 1882.  I have never seen a mention of branches in Goole and Barnsley before.  The fly in the ointment is the Derby studio address.  I believe the firm had a studio in Derby as early as 1879 but, as you say in your A & G Taylor profile, they moved to 63 London Road from 57 London Street between 1887 and 1891.
The evidence seems to suggest that the photograph was originally taken around 1881/1882 in Derby (perhaps at A. & G. Taylor's studio in 57 London Street and at a later date (late 1880s/early 1890s) the image was transferred to a ceramic plaque by the studio that still held the negative or a copy photograph.  A number of reasons could account for wanting to transfer the image to a ceramic plaque - one that cannot yet be discounted is that Annie died young and the plaque was a sort of permanent memorial.  If she wanted to send a copy of her photograph to Fanny a number of years after she had departed to Australia, why not a more recent photograph and why on a relatively heavy and fragile base.  It would have been easier to send a cabinet or carte de visite portrait on a card mount.  Alternatively, another relative could have brought the ceramic photo to Australia, or it could have been collected if Fanny ever returned to England for a visit to her family.
Notes by Marcel Safier:  This image looks suspiciously like an opalotype, i.e. on opal glass rather than a tile.


Image © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified young man and woman,
by A. & G. Taylor of 63 London Road, Derby (& Nottingham & Sheffield),
Undated, but probably taken in the early 1890s
Format: Cartes de visite
Upper Photo Size: Mount 62.5 x 103 mm, Photo 58 x 91 mm
Lower Photo Size: Mount 62.5 x 103 mm, Photo 60 x 92 mm

Images © & collection of Brett Payne

Nothing further is known about these photos

Image © & collection of Brett Payne
Image © & collection of Brett Payne Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Images © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified young man
by A. & G. Taylor of 63 London Road, Derby (& Nottingham & Sheffield),
Undated, but probably taken in the early 1890s
Format: Carte de visite
Size: Mount 62.5 x 103 mm, Photo 60 x 92 mm

Images © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes
Images © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood
Percy (1889-) and Reginald Arthur "Reg" (1890-) Fletcher, sons of Jonathan Fletcher (1859-) of Makeney Old Hall, Belper
by A. & G. Taylor of 63 London Road, Derby
Undated, but probably taken c. 1894-1895

Format: Carte de Visite
Size: 63mm x 103mm 

Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood

Nothing further is known about this photo.

Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood

Images © & courtesy of Graham Robinson Ann Robinson (1838-) & James Robinson (1830-1915)
by A. & G. Taylor
Undated, but probably taken c. 1895

Format: Carte de Visite

Images © & courtesy of Graham Robinson

Notes from Graham: James Robinson was born on 30 June 1830 at Ashbourne and was described as a Gas Works Manager at Wirksworth when he married Ann Burton née Potter (born in 1838 at Wirksworth) on 3 July 1869.  He probably took over this position from his father Edward when the latter retired.  James died at Wirksworth on 19 August 1915.

Images © & courtesy of Graham Robinson

Image © & courtesy of Martin Jackson Jesse Pegg (b. c. 1877 Littleover DBY d. 9 September 1934 ?Chellaston DBY)
by A. & G. Taylor
Undated, but probably taken in the mid- to late 1890s

Format: Carte de Visite

Image © & courtesy of Martin Jackson

Nothing further is known about this photo.


Image © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified young women
by A. & G. Taylor of 63 London Road, Derby
Undated, but probably taken in the mid-1890s
Format: Cabinet Card
Size: Mount 108 x 167.5 mm, Photo 101 x 150 mm

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Nothing further is known about this photo
Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Image © & courtesy of Ron Cosens
Unidentified young women
by A. & G. Taylor of 63 London Road, Derby
Undated, but probably taken in the mid-1890s
Format: Carte de visite

Image © & courtesy of Ron Cosens

Nothing further is known about this photo
Image © & courtesy of Ron Cosens

Image © & courtesy of Martin Jackson Matilda Holloway née Holdnall (b. 1844 Dudley WOR d. January 1906 Hollington DBY)
by A. & G. Taylor
Undated, but probably taken in the mid-1890s

Format: Carte de Visite

Image © & courtesy of Martin Jackson

Nothing further is known about this photo.


Image © & courtesy of Martin Jackson Unidentified young woman,
by A. & G. Taylor
Undated, but probably taken in the mid-1890s

Format: Carte de Visite

Image © & courtesy of Martin Jackson

Nothing further is known about this photo.


Image © & courtesy of Brett Payne Amy Payne née Robinson (1867-1932), Charles Leslie Lionel Payne (1892-1975) and Charles Vincent Payne (1868-1941), taken by A & G Taylor, probably at Derby, c1896-1897
Size: 108 x 165 mm
Format: Cabinet Card
Plain back

Image © & collection of Brett Payne

Charles Vincent and Amy Payne emigrated to North America in May-June 1891.  During their stay there, which lasted only three years, their first son Charles Leslie Lionel was born on 9 April 1892 in Chicago, Illinois.  [The story of their trip to the USA]  This photograph was taken in Derby, possibly in the garden of a house at 83 St. James' Road, New Normanton, Derby, after their return.  Leslie looks to be about four or five years old.  His younger brother Harold Victor Payne (b. 4 Jan 1898 at 17 Hastings Street, Derby) appears not to be around, and Amy does not look to be particularly pregnant, suggesting c. mid-1897 as the latest possible date for this image.  The photograph shown here was mounted on card with the address of A & G Taylor's premises in Leeds.  It is almost certain, however, that the photo was actually taken in Derby.


Images © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified young lady,
by A. & G. Taylor of West End Chambers, Chapel Bar, Nottingham, and Derby & Sheffield,
Undated, but probably taken in the late 1890s
Format: Cabinet Card
Size: Mount 108 x 167 mm, Photo 103 x 150.5 mm
Negative No. 34390

Images © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes:

Images © & collection of Brett Payne

Images © & courtesy of Chris Greaves Edwin Leech (b. 1881), Louisa Leech née Thicket (b. 1863),  Averilda Leech (b. 1889), Robert John Leech (b. 1858), Mabel Leech (b. 1884) & Harriett Leech (b. 1883)
by A. & G. Taylor of Furnival Chambers, 101 Norfolk St., Sheffield, and Derby & Nottingham
Undated, but taken in early to mid-1891
Format: Cabinet Card
Size: Mount 107 x 166 mm Photo 105 x 151 mm
Negative No. 66194

Images © & courtesy of Chris Greaves

Notes by CG:  The photograph shows my great-great-grandparents. Robert John Leech was born on 4 Feb 1858 - he was a greengrocer. His wife was Louisa Leech (née Thicket).  I am not sure of the exact date of birth but it was in 1863.  The baby sitting on her knee is my great grandmother Averilda Leech - she was born in December 1889. I would guess she is about 18 months old in the photo.  The family lived most of their working lives in Brimmington, Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
Images © & courtesy of Chris Greaves

Images © & courtesy of Stacy Taylor Mrs. William (Fanny?) Taylor
by A. & G. Taylor of Furnival Chambers, 101 Norfolk St., Sheffield, and Derby & Nottingham
Undated, but probably taken in the mid- to late 1890s
Format: Cabinet Card
Size: Photo 100 x 155 mm
Negative No. 67285

Images © & courtesy of Stacy Taylor

Notes: Inscribed on the reverse, "William Taylors Mother."
Images © & courtesy of Stacy Taylor

Image © & courtesy of Martin Jackson Jesse Pegg (b. c. 1877 Littleover DBY d. 9 September 1934 ?Chellaston DBY)
by A. & G. Taylor
Undated, but probably taken c. 1897-1899

Format: Carte de Visite

Image © & courtesy of Martin Jackson

Nothing further is known about this photo.


Images © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified child,
by A. & G. Taylor of West End Chambers, Chapel Bar, Nottingham,
Undated, but probably taken in the late 1890s
Format: Cabinet Card
Size: Mount 107.5 x 168 mm, Photo 102 x 146.5 mm

Images © & collection of Brett Payne

Nothing further is known about this photo

Images © & collection of Brett Payne

Images © & courtesy of Kevin Rhodes Unidentified young woman
by A. & G. Taylor of 101 Norfolk Street, Sheffield
Undated, but probably taken c. 1900
Format: Cabinet Card

Images © & courtesy of Kevin Rhodes

Notes by KR: I don't know of any family history in Sheffield, so I wonder if this was just a Sheffield mount used by A & G Taylor in their Derby studio.
Notes by BP: I have several images of photos taken by A & G Taylor, almost certainly at their Derby studio, but where the mount used has the address of one of the other branches, so I believe this practice must have been fairly common, at least among the A & G Taylor studios managed by William Middleton, at Nottingham, Derby and Sheffield.

Images © & courtesy of Kevin Rhodes

Images © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified family,
by A. & G. Taylor of 4 St. Nicholas Buildings, Newcastle on Tyne,
Dated 27 August 1897
Format: Cabinet Card
Size: Mount 107 x 164.5 mm, Photo 99 x 142.5 mm
Negative No. 58407

Images © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes: Although not from a Derbyshire studio, this photo has been included in the profile as it is one of the standard A & G Taylor designs, and is accurately dated.  Unfortunately the photo has been scribbled on at some time with a pencil.  The following is inscribed in pen on the reverse of the photograph:

Taken Aug 27th/97
Teddie 8 years
Harry 6
Charlie 4
Dora 2
Images © & collection of Brett Payne

Images © & collection of Brett Payne; by kind courtesy of David Simkin Images © & collection of Brett Payne; by kind courtesy of David Simkin Images © & collection of Brett Payne; by kind courtesy of David Simkin Images © & collection of Brett Payne; by kind courtesy of David Simkin
Unidentified elderly couple, by A. & G. Taylor of West End Chambers, Chapel Bar, Nottingham,
Undated, but probably taken in the late 1870s, and copied in the late 1890s
Format: Cartes de visite  Size: Mount 64 x 105 mm, Photo 57 x 91/92 mm

Images © & collection of Brett Payne by kind courtesy of David Simkin

Notes:  David Simkin, to whom I am indebted for these two interesting additions to the A & G Taylor collection, believes that they are copies, produced perhaps around 1900, of much earlier photographs possibly taken in the 1870s.  What makes the photographs even more interesting, historically, is that the cards are printed on the reverse, "Wm. Middleton, late A. & G. Taylor."  No other evidence of Middleton taking over proprietorship of the studio in Derby has been found.

Images © & courtesy of Debbie Jackson
Elizabeth Hollingworth née Bancroft (c1845-1880) and one of her children
by A. & G. Taylor of Sheffield, Nottingham & 63 London Road, Derby
Undated, but probably taken between 1874 and 1877, and copied by A & G Taylor in the late 1890s
Format: Cabinet Card
Size: Mount 90 x 138 mm (trimmed)

Images © & courtesy of Debbie Jackson

Notes by DJ: I believe this is a photo of Elizabeth Hollingworth, nee Bancroft and was taken in the late 1870's.  Elizabeth Hollingworth died in Chesterfield in the June quarter of 1880, aged 35.  The notes state that she had six sons, I have only found the christening of five of them between 1865 and 1877; a daughter was also born in 1878.  If the photo was taken later than this, then I'll have to have a rethink!

Images © & courtesy of Debbie Jackson
Notes by BP: The design on the reverse of the mount demonstrates that it was clearly produced in the mid- to late 1890s.  However, the image itself is clearly not from that era!  The style of clothing of both mother and child, the hair style, together with the pose and the oval frame indicates a much earlier time.  It appears, therefore, that the photo was copied later by the A & G Taylor studio from a much earlier photograph.  This was fairly common practice, particularly for subjects who had died at a young age, and could therefore no longer sit for another portrait, and you will find several on my web site.  You say that Elizabeth Hollingworth née Bancroft died in 1880, when she was in her mid-30s, so this would fit your story rather nicely.  It's a little difficult to give an accurate date, partly because the photo is not that clear, and has lost some contrast, but also because the woman's clothing is fairly simple (or perhaps I should say not elaborate).  However, I would estimate that it was taken some time between 1874 and 1877.  The child sitting on the woman's lap is probably - although one can't really be sure - a boy, in spite of his being clothed in a dress, as his hair parting is to one side rather than in the middle.  The woman looks to be in her late 20s or early 30s, and would probably have been born in the mid- to late 1840s, which once again fits the profile of your Elizabeth Hollingworth.  If the identification is correct, then the photo was probably copied by A & G Taylor at its Sheffield studio.  It is not possible to tell who the original photo was taken by, but it is unlikely to have been A & G Taylor, as their Midlands studios only opened in about 1880.

Images © & collection of John Peacock Possibly Christopher (c1837-1901) & Elizabeth Peacock (born 1841)
by A. & G. Taylor of Furnival Chambers, 101 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, Nottingham & Derby
Undated, but probably taken c. 1867-1870, and copied in the late 1890s
Format: Cabinet Card

Images © & collection of John Peacock

Notes by JP:  The photo comes from my paternal grandfather's line.  My great-grandfather moved to South Wales for work, married, and then moved to Sheffield with his father's family.  On the 1901 census they were living in South Wales.  By the end of 1901 they were in Stocksbridge, Sheffield.  By 1905/early 1906 they were in Bolton, Lancashire.  His father's family had moved to Sheffield between 1891 and 1901, based upon Census information.

Images © & collection of John Peacock
Notes by BP: I believe this must have been produced in A & G Taylor's Sheffield studio (although this is by no means certain, as card stock was sometimes shared between branches, perhaps when supplies ran low, and they were waiting for an order to come through) in 1901 or earlier, as it includes the text, "... to her Majesty & the Royal Family ..." on the reverse.  After the death of Queen Victoria, the card designs were changed to read, "... to her late Majesty Queen Victoria ..." and I think it likely that this change took place fairly soon after her death.  The turnover of card stock was great, particularly in the larger studios.  The cabinet card design is similar to others that I have dating from this period, perhaps from 1896 to 1899, but I believe that it was a copy of a photo taken perhaps some forty years earlier.  The clothes worn by the young man and his wife as well as the style of the pose, and the studio furnishings, suggest to me that it was originally taken in the late 1860s or early 1870s.  The lack of tonal contrast in the photo is also commonly seen in copies.  Apart from the pecilled words "As Copy" the following number has been written on the reverse, "W/22178."  This is possibly a negative number but it does not seem to fit within the sequence of other negative numbers from this studio - see Negative No. 85830 below, from approximately the same era, and 67285 from the mid- to late 1890s.

Images © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified young man
by A. & G. Taylor of Sheffield, Nottingham & Derby
Undated, but probably taken in the late 1890s
Format: Cabinet Card
Size: Mount 110 x 165 mm, Photo 103 x 143 mm
Negative No. 85830(?)

Images © & collection of Brett Payne

Nothing further is known about this photo

Images © & collection of Brett Payne

Images © & collection of Brett Payne Unidentified young lady
by A. & G. Taylor of Nottingham, Derby & Sheffield,
Undated, but probably taken in the late 1890s
Format: Cabinet Card
Size: Mount 110 x 165 mm, Photo 103 x 140 mm

Images © & collection of Brett Payne

Nothing further is known about this photo

Images © & collection of Brett Payne

Images © & collection of Brett Payne
Unidentified elderly man
by A. & G. Taylor of Sheffield, Nottingham, Derby & Barnsley
Undated, but probably taken c. 1902-1903
Format: Cabinet Card
Size: Mount 106 x 167.5 mm, Photo 102 x 143.5 mm

Images © & collection of Brett Payne

Notes: The reverse of the mount states, "By Special Royal Warrant ... to her late Majesty Queen Victoria", implying a date after her death in 1901.

Images © & collection of Brett Payne

Images © & courtesy of Marilyn McMillan Gertrude (left) & Lilian Statham (right)
by A. & G. Taylor of Derby
Undated, but probably taken c. 1901-1903
Format: Cartes de visite
Size: Mount 63 x 104 mm

Images © & courtesy of Marilyn McMillan


Notes: Gertrude Statham (b. c.1881) and Lilian Statham (b. c.1885) were daughters of Henry & Ann Jane Statham of Alvaston, Marilyn's great grandparents.  The family emigrated to Canada in 1903.
Images © & courtesy of Marilyn McMillan

References
Images and information kindly provided by Marilyn McMillan, Chris Greaves, Prue McKay, Claire Casey, John Peacock, Stacy Taylor, Kevin Rhodes, Ron Cosens, Marcel Safier, Debbie Jackson, Ian Ward, Martin Jackson, Sandy Barrie, Derek Smith, David Simkin, Graham Robinson, Samantha Smith, Roger Beswick, Robert Silverwood & Brett Payne
Information provided by the Leeds Local Studies Library
William White (1879) General & Commercial Directory of Sheffield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Chesterfield & Worksop,  University of Leicester's Digital Library of Historical Directories.
Kelly (1881)  Directory of Derbyshire, Kelly & Co., London. University of Leicester's Digital Library of Historical Directories.
Kelly (1887)  Directory of Derbyshire, Kelly & Co., London. University of Leicester's Digital Library of Historical Directories.
Kelly (1891)  Directory of Derbyshire, Kelly & Co., London. University of Leicester's Digital Library of Historical Directories.
Kelly (1895)  Directory of Derbyshire, Kelly & Co., London. University of Leicester's Digital Library of Historical Directories.
Kelly (1899)  Directory of Derbyshire, Kelly & Co., London. University of Leicester's Digital Library of Historical Directories.
The Printer Marion Imp, Paris & London & The Marion Date Code, by Roger Vaughan
The Studios of A. & G. Taylor, by Compiled by Roger Vaughan
Craven, Maxwell (ed.)(1993) Keene's Derby, Breedon Books, Derby, pp. 200-202. - by kind courtesy of Sonia Addis-Smith

Home Page
Index to Photographers
Photographer Profiles
Contribute an Image
South Derbyshire Genealogy

Back to the Top


© 2002-2008 Brett Payne All Rights Reserved