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| John Clark
was born
c. 1820 at Gunby, near South Witham in Lincolnshire. He moved
to Clay Lane Derbyshire prior to 1861, while working as a plate layer
on the railways. After a brief spell working as a
photographer in Bakewell, he then settled in Matlock Bath where he was
the first to open a permanent portrait studio in April 1863 (Adamson,
1997). His premises
were
on South Parade, where his wife Annie also ran a lodging house (Bradley).
The 1887 directory gives the loacation of his studio as South Parade, Matlock Bath, but the 1881 Census shows that he and his wife were living on Museum Parade. Perhaps these names were synonymous. Subsequent trade directory entries show that he was still operating until 1887, while Adamson states that he was there until 1888. Certainly by April 1891 (Census), he had "retired" and was living in Cleethorpes on the Lincolnshire coast, where he described himself as an "artist painter". J.W. Hilder took over the studio at South Parade between 1887 and 1891, and operated there until at least 1899. |
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| This photo of a street scene in Matlock Bath was sent
to me by John Bradley,
who
writes. "On the extreme left is the building my local history colleague Doreen Buxton and I have always suspected was John Clark’s studio. This photo confirms that hypothesis and under strong magnification on the scanner it is possible to see: |
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- The word
PHOTOGRAPHER written over the door - A Gentleman looking in the window with a mounted photograph on view - The large upstairs bay window which I believe to be his studio has white blinds or paper over part of the window to control the lighting. - Above the shop door is a large painted sign. It is hard to read everything because of the acute angle from which the picture is taken, but at strong enlargement you can just read: "Under the patronage of their Royal Highnesses ... Princess ... Wales And By appointment ... Emperor of Brazil Together with two crests one of which is the Prince of Wales’ Fleur de Lys. All this of course is exactly what John Clark had printed on the back of his Cdv’s.!!" |
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| Portfolio |
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David
Alexander McAuslan (1831-1888) by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the late 1860s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes: David A. McAuslan was the father of photographer Norman J. McAuslan. |
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Unidentified
woman by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the late 1860s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes |
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Unidentified
woman by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the late 1860s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes |
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Unidentified
woman by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the late 1860s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes |
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Unidentified
girl by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the late 1860s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes |
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Unidentified
woman and girl by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the late 1860s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes |
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Unidentified
man and woman by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the late 1860s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of John Bradley Nothing further is known about this photo. |
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Unidentified
man and woman by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the late 1860s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of John Bradley Notes: |
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Unidentified
woman by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the late 1860s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of John Bradley Nothing further is known about this photo. |
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Unidentified
woman by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the mid- to late 1860s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of John Bradley Nothing further is known about this photo. |
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Unidentified
woman by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the mid-1860s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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Unidentified
woman by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the mid-1860s Format: Carte de Visite Size: Mount 64 x 104 mm Photo 59 x 87 mm Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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Unidentified
man by J. Clark of Matlock Bath, Undated, but probably taken in the late 1860s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Christine Hibbert This gentleman is wearing a thigh-length lounge jacket with a high-buttoning collar, non-matching baggy trousers, a turn-down collar and a bow tie. The studio background, with its plain wall, a high skirting board and a drape to one side, and the subject standing beside the chair while holding a book, are characteristic of the late 1860s. |
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Unidentified
woman by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the late 1860s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes |
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Unidentified
man by J. Clark of Matlock Baths Undated, but probably taken in the mid- to late 1860s Format: Carte de Visite Size: Mount 62 x 104 mm Photo 59.5 x 88 mm Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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Unidentified
woman by J. Clark of Matlock Baths Undated, but probably taken in the mid- to late 1860s Format: Carte de Visite Size: Mount 62 x 103.5 mm Photo 59 x 87 mm Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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Unidentified
woman by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the late 1860s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of John Bradley Nothing further is known about this photo. |
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Unidentified
man by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the mid- to late 1860s Format: Carte de Visite Size: Mount 64 x 103.5 mm Photo 59 x 87.5 mm Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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William
Mottram and daughter Sarah Mottram (c1852-1929) by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the late 1860s Format: Carte de Visite Size: Mount 64 x 103.5 mm Photo 59 x 87.5 mm Image © & courtesy of Linda Snyder Notes by LS: Sarah Mottram is my Great Grandmother, daughter of William & Rebecca (Young) Mottram. She was born Sept. 6, 1852 or 1853 and died June 28, 1929 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. She married Thomas Gratton, son of Henry & Maria (Edge) Gratton on May 16, 1875. Upon the death of Thomas in 1905, she and 5 of her 6 children sailed for the USA in June, 1907. Her daughter, my Grandmother, Florence (Gratton) Deards resided in Springfield, Ohio. My Mother, Edith (Deards) Palmer had obtained these pictures from her and then gave them to me. |
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William
Mottram (c.1813-1879) by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the late 1860s Format: Carte de Visite Size: Mount 64 x 103.5 mm Photo 59 x 87.5 mm Image © & courtesy of Linda Snyder Notes: My Great Great Grandfather William Mottram was born in 1813 or 1814 in Stoney Middleton, Derby, son of James & Susanna Mottram. He died in the 2nd quarter of 1879 in Derby, UK. He is pictured here in the attire of a coachman, his occupation at the time of this picture. He married Rebecca Young on May 7, 1838. I believe that the photo was taken approximately 1867. |
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Unidentified
young man by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken c. 1868-1871 Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of John Bradley Nothing further is known about this photo. |
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Unidentified
young boy, aged 5 by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Dated 20 September 1872 Format: Carte de Visite Size: Mount 63 x 105 mm Image © & courtesy of Peter Thomas-English Notes: Inscribed on the reverse, "né le 7 Sept. 1867. / pris le 20 Sept. 1872." [born 7 Sep 1872, taken 20 Sep 1872] |
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Unidentified
man
by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the mid- to late 1870s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of John Bradley Nothing further is known about this photo. |
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David
Alexander McAuslan (1831-1888) by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the early to mid-1870s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes: David Alexander McAuslan was the father of Cameron Hutchinson McAuslan (see below) and photographer Norman J. McAuslan |
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Louisa
McAuslan née Jones
(1828-1900) by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the early to mid-1870s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes: Louisa was the wife of David Alexander Hutchinson, and the mother of Cameron Hutchinson McAuslan (see below) and photographer Norman J. McAuslan |
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Cameron
Hutchinson McAuslan
(1857-1879) by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the early to mid-1870s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes: Cameron H. McAuslan was a brother of photographer Norman J. McAuslan |
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Louisa
McAuslan (1859-1893) &
her grandmother Mary Jones née Weaver (1793-1887) by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the late 1870s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes: Louisa McAusland was a sister of Norman J. McAuslan |
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Norman
Jones McAuslan (1861-1905)
with penny farthing bicycle by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the late 1870s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes: |
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Rev.
Gerard Edward Smith of Ockbrook (1804-1881)
by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken c. 1878-1880 Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Derby Local Studies Library Notes: Inscribed on the reverse, "Rev. Gerard Smith of Ockbrook, Died Dec. 1881." Reverend Gerard Edward Smith was the Vicar of Osmaston from 1854 until 1870, after which he settled in Ockbrook. He was also a botanist of some considerable repute, who wrote on the flora of Derbyshire, and was the first to recognise several British plants. |
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Norman
Jones McAuslan (1861-1905) by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the early 1880s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes: |
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Norman
Jones McAuslan (1861-1905) by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the early 1880s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes: |
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Mary
"Pollie" McAuslan (1855-1948) by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the early 1880s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes: Pollie McAuslan was a sister of Norman J. McAuslan |
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Mary
"Pollie" McAuslan (1855-1948) by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the early 1880s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes: Pollie McAuslan was a sister of Norman J. McAuslan |
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Unidentified
women by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the early 1880s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes: |
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Norman
Jones McAuslan (1861-1905) by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the early 1880s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Notes: |
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Unidentified
man and young girl by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the early 1880s Format: Carte de Visite Size: Mount 63.5 x 106 mm Photo 60 x 89 mm Image © & collection of Brett Payne Notes |
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"Les
freres en voyage" by J. Clark of Matlock Bath Undated, but probably taken in the late 1870s or early 1880s Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of John Bradley The
initials
C.A.E.A. and G.E.A. are inscribed on this photo, but we may never
discover
the identity of the two brothers out on a walk.
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Wingfield
Manor,
Derbyshire, taken by J. Clark, of Matlock Bath, Date unknown, possibly
1878
Size: 64mm x 106mm Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood Nothing further is known about this photograph, although it appears to be more or less contemporary with the postcard shown below. |
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High Tor,
Derbyshire,
taken by J. Clark, of Matlock Bath, Date unknown, possibly 1878
Size: 64mm x 106mm Format: Carte de Visite Image © & courtesy of Robert Silverwood On the reverse is written "19/4/8 Good Friday"; in 1878 Good Friday was on 19 April, so perhaps this is the date of the photo. |
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| View of
Matlock
Bath, taken by J. Clark, of Matlock Bath, Undated
Format: Stereoscopic Pair Image © & courtesy of John Bradley Nothing further is known about this photo. |
| References
Images kindly provided by Linda Snyder, Derby Local Studies Library, Peter Thomas-English, Brett Payne, John Bradley, Christine Hibbert and Robert Silverwood 1861 Derbyshire Census - CDROM published by ArchiveCD Books 1871 Census of Matlock Bath - from The Andrews Pages 1881 UK Census - online from the LDS church 1841-1901 UK Census - online from Ancestry.com 1901 UK Census index - online from the PRO FreeBMD Anon (1864) The Post Office Directory of the Counties of Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Rutlandshire, ed. E.R. Kelly, M.A. pub. Kelly and Co., London, pp. 277-279 - from The Andrews Pages Harrod & Co. (1870) Postal & Commercial Directory of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland & Staffordshire. University of Leicester's Digital Library of Historical Directories Anon (1876) The Post Office Directory of the Counties of Derby, Leicester, Rutland and Nottingham. ed. E.R. Kelly, M.A., F.S.S. pub. Kelly and Co., London: Matlock & Matlock Bath - from The Andrews Pages Anon (1881) Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire, Kelly & Co., London. Anon (1887) Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire, Kelly & Co., London. Adamson, Keith I.P. (1997) Professional Photographers in Derbyshire 1843 - 1914, The PhotoHistorian, No. 118 Supplement, September 1997, ISSN 0957-0209. Courtesy of John Bradley. |
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