Cambridgeshire Photographers

Name: COTTERELL, Malcolm Franciscoe James (Mac), also trading as "MAC" b:1932 d: 2013
Address: Alexandra Rd, Wisbech, 344 Low Rd Elm
Working Dates: c.1964 - 1985?
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: Mac Cotterell was educated at Wisbech Grammar School and trained as an accountant before joining the RAF. His career took him into journalism and he became the news editor of the Wisbech Advertiser. Later he worked as a freelance journalist and photographer. He worked for East Midlands Allied Press and was a correspondent for many national newspapers and for BBC television and radio. In the Wisbech Regency Town Book and Information Guide 1969/70 is an advertisement for Photographers MAC, proprietor M Cotterell, "Clovelli" Elm Low Road Wisbech 2744, "Wedding, family, social and commercial photographer - see display at 13 Nene Quay, Wisbech" (Thanks to Garry Monger for this reference).

Mac became the youngest chairman of Wisbech Chamber of Commerce in the 1960s, and later became its president. He was also a member of the Wisbech Round Table and of the Rotary and Probus Clubs.

In the 1960s Mac stood for election for Wisbech Rural District Council to represent his local community of Elm. He served that community for many years as a rural district councillor, a member of Elm Parish Council, and as a district councillor. He was awarded the MBE in 2006 and died in 2013

Derrick C Plume, who ran Studio Margaret in Wisbech, recalls the year 1964. “No sooner had I left Coleman’s to work full time on photography with Mavis than we heard that David Fairbrother had diversified into the same profession. Mac Cotterell left The Advertiser about this time, so with Reams and Ralph Hurst there were five professionals photographing weddings. David’s work was good and with a shop window he secured many bookings. We had the advantage of going back to receptions with black and white proofs, but when colour became the normal film to use we had to compete against the others on equal grounds. Mavis and I looked at as much work as possible of other photographers, especially when we were on holiday to give us ideas that would attract brides. In a Horsham shop window we saw brides and bridesmaids seated and were the first to introduce these pictures into a wedding album. We succeeded in getting our share of the market and many girls said when collecting their wedding albums that they are the best they had ever seen”.
References: Derrick C Plume, "Ramblings of a Wisbechian - 60 years of events in Wisbech of a local family from approximately 1924 to 1983" p.62

M Cotterell LIIP, LMPA, advertised services as a wedding photographer, Nene Studios, 344 Elm Low Road Wisbech, in the Fenland Citizen 16 Jan 1985 p16 (Thanks to Garry Monger for this reference)

Name: COTTON, Harry, b: 1905 St Ives d: 1975
Address: 9 Ramsey Rd, St Ives
Working Dates: 1934 - 1950s
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: A number of photographs by Harry Cotton can be found in the Norris Museum, St Ives. The photographer himself is shown in PH/S.IVE/CornEx/16, which is an image taken during a talk at the Corn Exchange by Bob Jude. Harry Cotton is included in the image standing on a table in the foreground, taking a photograph of the event. Several photographs by Harry Cotton depict the products of St Ives woodworking firm Tom M Scotney Ltd, these appear to be from the 1950s and have rubber stamped on the reverse “Photographed by Harry Cotton, St Ives, Huntingdon” e,g, PH/S.IVE/Scotney/3. PH/S.IVE/people 44 is a photo by Harry Cotton from 1934 of St Ives Scouts. A dated 1942 example is a photo of a St Ives Home Guard Team, PH/S.Ive/People 16. Although this has yet to be researched, it is believed that Harry Cotton was a regular contributor of photographs to the Hunts Post. He certainly published photographs in the Cambridge Independent Press. For example, CIP 24 March 1939 p12 has one of his photographs of a winning darts team. In the 1939 register there is a Harry Cotton b: 4 April 1905 living at Custom Villa, St Ives, occupation, compositor. This suggests that photography may have been a secondary occupation for Harry.
References: See above items in the Norris Museum Collection.

Name: COULAM, Violet E. b:1896 Witham Essex d:
Address: 41 York Row, Wisbech
Working Dates: c.1921
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: In the 1921 census Violet was living with her parents and younger sister at 41 York Row, Wisbech, She was a photographic artist working for Lilian Ream at Boro Studio, York Row Wisbech.
References: 1921 Census

Name: COULTARD, Abram
Address: High Street, Sawston
Working dates: c.1914
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: Chemist and postmaster. RPPC publisher included in a "Directory of Cambridgeshire Postcard Publishers/photographers noted before 1914" by Michael Rouse in "Cambridge in Early Postcards", Oleander Press 1978. Not currently known whose images used.
References: Kelly's Directory 1916

Name: COWLEY, Michael A. LBIPP b: d:
Address: 54 Church Leys, Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire
Working Dates: c. 1999
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information:
References: Peterborough Yellow Pages 1999

Name: COX, Joe b: d:
Address: 1 Royston Road, Foxton, Cambridgeshire
Working Dates: c.1990-7
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: weddings, portraits, passport, Black and white processing readily available
References: Cambridge Yellow Pages 1990, 1995, 1997, 1998

Name: COX, Samuel Busby b:1861 Spalding Lincs d: 1916
Address: Westgate Studio, Peterborough, 56 Westgate (1898, 1901, 1906, 1910) 62 Westgate Peterborough in 1911 and 1914.
Working Dates: 1894-1914
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information:

Samuel Busby Cox was born in Spalding Lincolnshire and was the son of another Samuel Cox, a boot maker. In 1881 he was not yet married and was lodging in West Street, Bourne, Lincolnshire, where his occupation was a photographer. In 1891 Samuel was reported to be a widower and was lodging in Randall Street Maidstone, Kent and was again employed as a photographer. In 1901 he was resident at 56 Westgate Peterborough with another wife, Clara Agnes Cox b:1869 Gravesend. He was shown as a photographer working on his own account from home. The 1911 census showed him in similar circumstances but the address was 62 Westgate Peterborough.

See below for two cabinet photographs by S Busby Cox. The reverse sides of both are blank. The photograph on the left appears the older of the two, having a less complex mount on cream card with silver printing which includes a monogram of intertwined "SBC" - see below the similarity with another mount dated 1898. The second, of a young couple posed in a studio with two ornate chairs and a potted plant is mounted on grey card with a distinctive serrated edge. Beneath this photograph is a "C" in a scroll and the text "S.Busby Cox Westgate Studio Peterborough." A previous owner of this photograph has added "Uncle George and Aunt Hannah" in pencil. The author has other similar photographs on buff and light green serrated edged cards printed in red and green respectively.

Next is another cabinet photograph of two beautifully and identically dressed twin boys, with an art nouveau daisy design on the face of another serrated mount, this time in grey, the text reading simply "S Busby Cox Peterborough". The reverse of the mount is blank. The style of the mount suggests mid to late 1890s. (Simon Shirley Collection).

Below this is a cabinet portrait of a baby in christening robes on a large cushion on a cane chair (Simon Shirley Collection). The face of the cream mount is printed in gold "S.Busby Cox Westgate Studio Peterborough", with a monogram with intertwined letters SBC. The studio has personalised the reverse of the otherwise blank mount by printing the greeting "With love from Dorry August 9th 1898, age 10 weeks"

Finally, as proof that Cox also worked outside the studio, there is a very rare 6 x 4 inch print of a 19th century thatched shop. This is from the Simon Shirley collection and Simon has identified the location as Eastrea beside the A605 road. The local directory showed the shopkeeper to be John Wilson, who was listed between 1888 and 1904 as a baker. He was succeeded by Elizabeth Wilson, butcher and baker in 1908. John stands to the left at the bakehouse door and the window is full of packets and bottles, so they must have had a grocers shop as well. The photo was mounted on a buff card mount printed with the name "S Busby Cox, Westgate Studio".

References: Kelly's Directory of Northamptonshire 1898, 1903, 1906, 1910, 1914
Cook's Peterborough and District Directory, WJ Cook, Boston, Lincs 1894, 1898
Northampton District Trades Directory, Town and County Directories Ltd, Edinburgh 1905/6
The Peterborough Directory 1896, 1901, 1907, 1912. Census returns 1901, 1911

Cabinet Photograph by S Busby Cox Cabinet Photograph by S. Busby Cox

Cabinet Photograph, twins by S Busby Cox

Portrait of baby, S Busby Cox Reverse of photo of infant with greeting

Victorian Shop be S Busby Cox

Name: COX, Thomas b: 1851 St Neots d: 1906
Address: 1 Herbert Street, Cambridge
Working dates: c.1881 in Cambridge

Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: In the 1881 census Thomas Cox was listed as a photographer living at the above address. He was living with his wife Emily Sophia Cox b:1851 Pimlico and sons Percy Thomas Cox b:1876, Cambridge, Alfred Cox b:1877 Cambridge and Harold William Cox b:1879 Cambridge. Ten years earlier in 1871, Thomas was a clerk to the local gas company, living with his widowed mother, Jane Frances Cox , who ran a grocery and earthenware shop at 28 Norfolk Street, Cambridge. When he married Emily Sophia in 1875 Thomas was a woollen draper's clerk.

By 1888 Thomas was living at Pratts Buildings, Bradmore Street Cambridge and working as a clerk in the office of Mr Arthur Rutter, the Secretary of the Cambridge Town and University Fire Office. In October 1888 he forged the signatures of his employer and two Directors of the Company, G. Whitmore and SL Younger. He was indicted for this and appeared in the Cambridgeshire Assizes in November, pleaded guilty and was imprisoned for nine months with hard labour. The judge took the view that although the total sum involved was £7 10s, the offence involved a breach of trust. In 1891 Emily Cox and the three boys, plus two younger sons Hubert R and Claude S Cox, were living at 14 Fair Street Cambridge - Emily was shown as a dressmaker, married, but Thomas wasn't present. Thomas Cox, then described as a commission agent, was again locked up as a prisoner in HM Prison, Devizes, Wiltshire. He was convicted of obtaining money by false pretences at Devizes assizes on 13 Feb 1891 and sentenced to 6 months imprisonment. In 1901 it appears that Thomas, with sons Claude and Hubert, had moved to Lancashire. They were living at 36 Chestnut Grove, Wavertree, Lancs and Thomas was a tailor's clerk. At the marriage of his son Alfred on 11 August 1900 Thomas described himself as an "accountant".

Thomas Cox's photographic career commenced no earlier than 1875, and probably ran until no later than 1888. Emily Sophia Cox was Emily Sophia Nicholls before she married Thomas Cox in 1875. She was the youngest sister of Cambridge photographer Arthur Nicholls. In 1881 Emily and Arthur's parents, John and Sophia Nicholls, both born in Norwich in 1812, were living at 1 Herbert Street with Thomas Cox and his family, two households with a single address. Thomas's second son, Alfred Cox, was born on 24th April 1877 at 1 Post Office Terrace, Cambridge. Post Office Terrace was the location of the Studio of Arthur Nichols from 1865 to 1877 when he left for the Isle of Wight. In view of the family connections it seems likely that Thomas Cox was an employee of Arthur Nicholls, perhaps between 1875 and 1877, then possibly even as a short term occupier of the Post Office Terrace Studio between Nicholls and Bliss. Bliss traded on the goodwill of his predecessor, citing "Late Arthur Nicholls" on his advertising, so if Thomas Cox did run the Post Office Terrace Studio after 1877 he probably did so in Arthur Nicholls' name rather than his own.

References: Cambridge Independent Press 9 Nov 1888 p8, 23 Nov 1888 p5. England census 1871, 1881, 1891, 1901. Grateful thanks to Mary Shotley for information about the Hynam family which includes Thomas Cox and Arthur Nicholls.

Name: COX, William b: d:
Address: Park Street, Chatteris
Working Dates: 1879
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: William Cox appears as a photographer in one local trade directory in Chatteris in 1879.

In 1879 William was involved in two problems with the law. In August that year he was involved in a dispute with a local veterinary surgeon, John Gregory Cooper. Cooper and Cox were acquaintances and Cox had done some work for Cooper - a portrait of his wife. It appears that Cox had been ill and, although various customers, including Cooper, owed him money, he had a cash flow problem. He entered into a transaction with Cooper which involved Cooper finding a third party who would lend Cox a sovereign against the security of a bolt of woolen cloth. Cox got the sovereign and Cooper took the cloth, Cox believed, to give to the third party. Later, when his fortunes improved, Cox went back to redeem the pledge and he alleged that after some prevarication it became clear that there was no third party and Cooper had kept the cloth and would not return it. Cooper had, in fact, had a suit made from it. Cooper argued that he had kept the cloth because Cox had not paid to redeem it. The local Magistrates seemed to favour Cooper rather than believing Cox, and dismissed the case. During the evidence it was mentioned that William Cox was also a portrait painter.

Later in 1879 William Cox was involved in a dispute about parking his cart, with Mr Joseph Wilkins, late pastor of the Chatteris Zion Chapel. The Magistrates, after hearing the witnesses on both sides, said they were of opinion that Cox had committed a very aggravated, brutal, and murderous assault on Wilkins. He was fined £5, or committed to prison for two months. He was also bound over in a bond of £20 to keep the peace for three months. By a strange co-incidence, Joseph Wilkins was the father of Jeffrey Wilkins, another Chatteris photographer. Is it possible that there was some ongoing animosity between the two families springing from this business competition?

There is no trace of William Cox in the 1881 census for Park Street Chatteris, nor is a good match to be found elsewhere. There was a William Cox, an artist and photographer, in Bridge Street Northampton who sold his business and stock in trade in June 1877 after some 20 years of operation there. (Northampton Mercury 16 June 1877). The details from the 1871 census of that William Cox were: b:1827 Northants, wife Mary A Cox b:1834 Northants, sons Arthur CS Cox b:1856 Huntingdonshire and Frederick W b:1858 Northamptonshire. Also living with the family in 1871 were a William Freeman, a learner, and a 17 year old servant, Martha Dicks. Apart from the name, occupation and timing, nothing has yet been found to link the William Cox from Northampton with this Chatteris photographer.
References: Mike Petty, The Photographers, (a handlist of local photographers), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire Collection, 1992
PO Directory of the Counties of Cambridge, Norfolk and Suffolk, Kelly and Co London Nov 1879.
Cambridge Independent Press - Saturday 2 August 1879 and Cambridge Independent Press - Saturday 09 August 1879 (allegations of theft of cloth)
Cambridge Independent Press - Saturday 6 December 1879 (assault)

Name: CRADDOCK, Thomas b: 1811 Wisbech d: 1893
Address: New Wisbech, Wisbech, later in Liverpool
Working Dates: c. 1850s
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information:

Michael Millward and Brian Coe, in their book "Victorian Townscape, The Work of Samuel Smith" (Ward Lock Ltd, 1974), identify Thomas Craddock as a collaborator and contemporary of Samuel "Philosopher" Smith in Wisbech. Craddock appears to have started in photography just before Smith and Millward. Coe suggest that Craddock may have taught Smith photography. Showing his images in exhibitions between 1851-1857, Craddock exhibited more than Smith.

Piggots Directory 1839 lists Thomas Craddock under 'Academies and Schools' at Cattle Market, Wisbech. The 1841 census shows the Craddock family resident at the Wisbech House of Correction. Thomas's father, Samuel Craddock, b 1781, was the Keeper there, and living with him was his wife, Sarah Craddock b.1781. They had a daughter, Susan Craddock b. 1811 Cambs, a dress maker, and a son, Thomas Craddock b 1816 Cambridgeshire, schoolmaster. (There were also 11 inmates at the House of Correction in 1841).

In 1849 Thomas Craddock co-wrote, with Neil Walker, a History of Wisbech, which was published that year. Samuel Craddock died in 1846 and the 1851 census shows Sarah Craddock, widow, aged 79 and her son Thomas Craddock, as visitors at an inn in Westgate, Peterborough. Thomas was shown as age 37, born in Wisbech, and his occupation rather oddly was shown as "undergraduate of Queens College, Cambridge" He attended Queens College Cambridge as a pensioner (mature student) between 1850 and 1856 when he graduated. In 1851 Craddock T, Wisbech, exhibited at the Great Exhibition photographic copies of Holloway's print of Raphael's Elymas; of Vandyke's St Ambrose refusing Theodosius admittance into the church (Stamford Mercury 9 May 1851 p4.)

Gardners Cambridgeshire Directory 1851 (Wisbech section p2) states that "Mr Thomas Craddock of Wisbech is the author of a History of Wisbech published anonymously in 1833 by Mr William Watts and he edited in conjunction with Mr Neil Walker "The History of Wisbech and the Fens" lately published by Mr Richard Walker of Wisbech. This work, which is octavo in size, comprises about 570 pages and is embellished with several very neat engravings. Mr Craddock has been honoured with the correspondence of Sir David Brewster, from the superior talent and chemical research displayed by him in the Calotype process applied to the production of pictures by the Talbotype system" Listed in this publication, Craddock's address was "New Wisbech", and he was included among the gentry of Wisbech.

The Cambridge Chronicle and Journal - Saturday 24 March 1855 p7 reported under the heading " Wisbech"; "Young Mens Christian Association - a lecture on chemistry was delivered at the Public Hall on Tuesday evening 20th inst by Mr T.Craddock of this town, whose scientific attainments recommended him to a numerous audience. A well selected series of appropriate and amusing experiments illustrative of the lecturers verbal instructions, combined to render the subject of his lecture very interesting and elicited in his favour the warm acknowledgements of those to whose edification the effort was directed".

An 1860 Poll book for Wisbech shows Thomas Craddock with an address at 73 Windsor Street, Liverpool. Craddock became Professor of Literature at Queen's College Liverpool (formerly the Liverpool Mechanics Institute). A year later, in the 1861 census, Thomas was at Nene Road, Peterborough, sister of the householder (Susan Phillips, widow, 61 yrs, fundholder). Thomas was recorded as aged 49, born in Wisbech, and his occupation was shown as 'Assistant and private tutor'. Craddock published a number of works: two of which were published in Liverpool , a treatise on Charles Lamb in 1867 and Literary Papers in 1873. He also published The Influence of Christianity on Civilization (1856), Peterborough Cathedral: a General, Architectural, and Monastic History (1864), Rousseau as Described by Himself and Others, and Man and Nature: Poems Written Long Ago (1883).

In the 1871 census Thomas Craddock, aged 59, b. Wisbech was recorded as a Private tutor, at 83 Marylebone Rd Marylebone

In the 1881 census Thomas, unmarried, was a boarder at 113 Upper Hill Street, Liverpool - no occupation was shown. His age was stated to be 69 years , b. Wisbech. In 1891 he was still lodging at the same address and his occupation was described as "living on own means".

Thomas appeared to have practiced the calotype photographic process at least over the years 1851 to 1857; these being the years in which we know he entered his work in various exhibitions. The site on Photographic Exhibitions in Britain 1839 to 1865 lists 9 photographs by Craddock in the 1851 Great Exhibition, 8 in the London Photographic Society Exhibition 1855, 8 in 1856 and 4 in 1857. These were mainly Cambridge and Peterborough views, one of the Old Wharf Wisbech. http://peib.dmu.ac.uk/index.php. The Cambridge Chronicle and Journal - Saturday 5 March 1853 p 6, in a comprehensive report on the Wisbech Exhibition at the Public Hall, noted there were "some choice calotypes by Mr Craddock of Wisbech." The Wisbech Advertiser 22 March 1855 recorded that Prince Albert had requested a copy of a photograph of Ely Cathedral exhibited by Thomas Craddock at the Photographic Exhibition Pall Mall. An example of his work, a view of the Mathematical Bridge Cambridge from 1855 can be seen on the Queen's College Cambridge Site https://www.queens.cam.ac.uk/visiting-the-college/history/college-facts/the-buildings/bridges-and-riverside . A number of photographs by Thomas Craddock can be seen on the Cambridgeshire Community Archive site for Wisbech: Upper Hill St dated as 1850-54, The Eagle Tavern 1854-1856, and the site of current post office 1845-55 .

It is not known whether Craddock continued taking photographs after 1857. Some of Samuel Smith's photographs (Crowland Abbey 1855, Ely Cathedral 1854) include in the image another camera on a tripod. This was probably Thomas Craddock's equipment, and in one photograph, Leverington Hall 1853, an individual, believed to be Thomas Craddock, is captured in the image.

Thomas Craddock died in Liverpool 9 April 1893. Following his death, the Liverpool Mercury - Friday 30 June 1893 p4 advertised the sale by auction of the first portion of his unique library of some 2800 volumes plus a choice collection of coins and medals. The list of highlights of the sale made no mention of any photographs or photograph albums.

References: W.F. Yeo (2011). "William Dawbarn: A Victorian Life" (Thesis on William Dawbarn, life long friend of Thomas Craddock) https://web.archive.org/web/20160817223007/https://dspace.library.uvic.ca/bitstream/handle/1828/3265/Yeo_Walter_MA_2011.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y

Name: CREATIVE IMAGES
Address: Wisbech, address not currently known, Telephone Wisbech 583999
Working Dates:1987
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: Advertising services as a wedding photographer in 1987
References: Fenland Citizen, 15 July 1987 p4

Name: CREAM, James. b:1870 Cambridge d:
Address: Work address as for J.E.Bliss - 7 St Andrews St and Post Office Terrace. Home address 14 Coronation Street, Cambridge
Working Dates: 1883 - ?1885
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: Cambridgeshire County Archives have an application for apprenticeship for James Cream of 14 Coronation Street as photographer and stationer with J.E. Bliss of 7 St. Andrew's Street, Cambridge, dated Feb 1883. This comprises original application and testimonials in support of James Cream by Charlotte Porcheson, H. J. Buckwell, Henry Hall, Professor [Samuel] Peed and the famous English naturalist Osbert Salvin. However, the apprentiship may have been terminated when Bliss left Cambridge in 1885, and by 1891 James Cream was still at 14 Coronation Street with his widowed mother (a college vegetable cook) and three siblings, but his occupation was shown as a labourer. No trace of James has been found in the 1901 census so we do not know whether or not he went back into a photographic career.
References: Cambs Record Office, Ref CB/10/2/6/4/9 and CB/10/2/6/1/161, England census 1881, 1891.

Name: CREEK, Charles D(avid James) b: Cambridge 1869 d: 1945
Address: 14 Union Road, Cambridge
Working Dates: c.1900?

Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information:
See below for a rather poor reproduction of a carte de visite from Cambridgeshire Collection ’s Carte de Visite Collection c.65.5 by Charles D CREEK, of an unknown lady in hat and coat (reproduced with thanks to the Cambridgeshire Collection).

In 1891 Charles D Creek was living at 14 Union Road Cambridge, staying at the home of his uncle, Henry Thomas Bridges and aunt, Eliza Fordham Bridges (Eliza was the sister of Charles' mother, Lydia). His uncle was a baker and Charles was a baker's assistant.

This is the same Charles David James Creek who, in 1901, was at 8 George Street Cambridge, a baker and grocer, living there with his wife Ellen Elizabeth and their 2 year old son Wilfred. In 1911 Charles David James Creek was a baker, working on his own account from home at 7 and 8 George IV Street, Cambridge, with his wife and four children. This is in fact the same address as in 1901. The photograph below is from the 1960s showing the last remains, before demolition, of Charles Creek's shop in George IV Street Cambridge at the junction with Queen Street. The portrait below of Charles was taken by his competitors at Post Office Terrace Studio in Cambridge around 1920, probably by CE Goodrich. It is negative no PCB610/15 and is reproduced with the consent of the Cambridgeshire Collection.

Charles died in 1945 after being hit by an Eastern Counties bus in Victoria Road Cambridge. At the time of his death he was living at 5 Chesterton Hall Crescent, Cambridge.

What tempted Charles away from the bakery into photography at some point in his early life? When staying and working with his uncle in Union Road, he was living a few doors away from the home of Alfred William Farren, a printseller and framemaker and the son of famous Cambridge photographer, William Farren; could Farren have inspired or assisted Charles in his artistic aspirations?

Grateful thanks to Tony Creek for sharing information on his family history and permission to use the photograph of his grandfather's shop. Tony, tonycreek49@gmail.com, would appreciate any further information on this photographer or his work.

References: Mike Petty, The Photographers, (a handlist of local photographers), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire Collection, 1992. Cambridgeshire Collection ’s Carte de Visite Collection c.65.5
Cambridge Daily News 10/2/1945

Portrait of CD Creek 8 George IV Street

Carte de visite by Charles David Creek Reverse of carte de visite by Charles D Creek

Charles Creek's shop in George IV St Cambridge 1960s

Name: CRISP, Angus William Clabbon ( & Co) b: 1864 Sudbury Suffolk d: 1942
Address: 16 Kings Parade, Cambridge
Working Dates: 1911-1940
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: Angus WC Crisp was the brother of Reginald SC Crisp (listed below), and son of George Crisp, who was described in 1891 as an artist and sculptor. In 1891 Angus Crisp was living with his brother George H C Crisp b: 1862 Sudbury Suffolk, a bookseller, in Bentink Terrace, Cambridge, where he was listed as employed as a "carved oak manufacturer". In 1901, Angus Crisp was living at 30 Union Road, Cambridge with his wife Florence and 2 daughters, Dorothy Violet b: 1899 and Sybil Rosetta b:1901 and a 16 year old servant girl. Angus Crisp was then a self employed fine art dealer. In the 1911 census Angus is listed as a fancy salesman, an employer, operating from the family home at 16 Kings Parade, Cambridge. Angus was then living with his daughters, Dorothy and Sybil. Spaldings directories list him as a photographer at this address from 1912-1940. See below a postcard of a theatrical production, by A W Crisp and Co 16 Kings Parade Cambridge.
References: Mike Petty, The Photographers, (a handlist of local photographers), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire Collection, 1992
Spaldings Directory of Cambridge 1912-1940.

Postcard print of a theatrical production by A W Crisp and Co

Name: CRISP, Bertram Noel, b: 1896 d: 1927
Address: 31 Lincoln Rd Peterborough
Working Dates: 1912
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: Bertram was the son of Peterborough wine merchant Ed Crisp, In the 1911 census he appears in the census as a 15 year old schoolboy at his parents house 31 Lincoln Rd, Peterborough. The Peterborough Advertiser p2 10th August 1912 has two photographs credited to B.Crisp, son of Mr Ed Crisp of Peterborough. One is a portrait of famous surgeon Sir St Claire Thomson, taken at the Kings School prize day in Peterborough, the other a group photo of the cast of a theatrical production at the Kings School. Was Bertram just a schoolboy taking some snapshots, or was this the start of some sort of a photographic career? In the 1921 Census Bertram and his family were living at 13 Aldermans Drive, Peterborough where he was listed as a 25 year old engineering student.
References: Peterborough Advertiser p2 10th August 1912 . England census 1921.

Name: CRISP, Reginald S. C. b:1866 Sudbury Suffolk d:1934
Address: Sussex Street, Cambridge
Working Dates: 1932-35
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: Reginald S C Crisp was the brother of Angus W C Crisp above. In 1891 Reginald was living at 31 Union Road Cambridge with his father George Crisp b:1829 Cambridge, described as an artist and sculptor, his mother Frances Crisp b:1834 Huntingdon, sister Charlotte b: 1874 Bury St Edmunds and brother Edward b:1877 Bury St Edmunds. No occupation was shown for Reginald. In 1901 Reginald Crisp was living with his parents George and Frances Crisp, brother Edward and sister Charlotte, at 31 Union Road Cambridge, next door to his brother Angus. Reginald was shown in 1901 to be a grocer's assistant. In the 1911 census Reginald S C Crisp is shown as a press photographer, still living at 31 Union Road, Cambridge, at this point living with his brother George. H C Crisp b:1862 Sudbury Suffolk, a dealer in second hand books and topographical views, and his sister Charlotte.
References: Mike Petty, The Photographers, (a handlist of local photographers), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire Collection, 1992
Spaldings Directory of Cambridge 1932-35

Name: CROFTS, John b: d:
Address: 20 Park Lane, Newmarket
Working Dates: 1981-1983
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information:
References: Cambridge Yellow Pages 1981, 1982, 1983

Name: CROMWELL PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES b: d:
Address: 2 Wheatshead Farm Cottages, Alconbury Hill, Great North Road, Alconbury Weston
Working Dates: c.1995
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: weddings, portraits, commercial
References: Peterborough Yellow Pages 1995

Name: CROSTON, Edwin J. b:1874 d:
Address: 2 Salisbury Villas, Cambridge
Working Dates: 1939
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: Edwin is listed in the 1939 Register as an unemployed photo artist. He was living at the above address with Mary E Croston b:1878 and Gertrude E Croston b:1869.
References: 1939 Register

Name: CROW, L b: d:
Address: 29 South Street, Crowland, Peterborough
Working Dates: c.1971 - 1977
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information:
References: Peterborough Yellow Pages 1971, 1974, 1977

Name: CROWSON, Arthur Ernest b: 11 Mar 1872 Peterborough d: 1945
Address: 1 High Street, March, Cambridgeshire.
Working Dates: c. 1910-
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: Arthur Ernest Crowson was the son of John Crowson b: 1841 Werrington, sawyer and Sarah Crowson b: 1835 Leverington Cambs. In 1881 the family home was at 12 Chapel Street, Peterborough. In 1891 the family home was at 23 Chapel Street; John Crowson was an agent for herbal medicines, and Arthur, aged 19, was a painter. In 1896 Arthur married Alice Dyson b: 1874 Newborough Peterborough. The 1898 Kelly's Directory of Northamptonshire listed Arthur as an insurance agent in North Gladstone Street, Peterborough. In 1901 the family were at 14 Buckle Street, Peterborough. Arthur was an agent for the Prudential Insurance Co. They had two children; William Leslie Dyson Crowson b: 1897 Peterborough and Dorothy Violet Crowson b:1900. The 1904 Kelly's Directory of Cambridgeshire lists Arthur as a teacher of music, living with his family at Nene Parade March. The 1911 census lists Arthur as a music seller and photographer, working on own account at Bridge House, High Street, March. His wife Alice assisted in the business. There was an additional child Cyril Haydn Crowson b: 1904 March Cambridgeshire. In the 1939 Register Arthur was at 1 High Street, March, shown as "Relieving Officer and Registrar of Births and Deaths - retired". Arthur was at the same address when he died in 1945. Below is a cabinet photograph of Bob and Ruth Lambert, c.1910, with the photographer's name and town on the mount below the image. The reverse of the mount is blank. Beneath this is a real photo postcard portrait of two unknown ladies, probably from around 1905-10. On the reverse is printed "A.E.Crowson, Photo, Bridge House Studio, March".

References: We are most grateful to Nick Smith for bringing Arthur Ernest Crowson to our notice. Also to Nick Ramsey, for permission to use the photograph below, part of his collection associated with the Burgess / Halder family tree at www.ancestry.co.uk. A.Crowson, Bridge House Studio, March, is included in a "Directory of Cambridgeshire Postcard Publishers/photographers noted before 1914" by Michael Rouse in "Cambridge in Early Postcards", Oleander Press 1978.

Cabinet photograph by AE Crowson, March, Cambridgeshire

real photo postcard portrait by A.E.Crowson

Name: CURTIS, Brian b: 1932
Address: 107 Green End Road Cambridge
Working Dates: ? 1960s
Subjects, styles, advertising and other relevant information: Offered for sale on Ebay, July 2022, 46 x 29 cm mounted b and w photograph, glamour shot of "Linda". On reverse of mount is rubber stamp "Photograph by B Curtis Cambridge" and in handwriting "Brian Curtis, 107 Green End Road Cambridge"

Name: CURTIS, Dorothy b: 1893 Chesterton d:
Address: The Old Spring, Ferry Path, Chesterton
Working Dates: c.1911 - 1920s
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: The 1911 Census lists Dorothy as an employee photographic re-toucher. She was the daughter of Henry Robinson Curtis b: 1848, the licensee of the Old Spring Public House. In the 1921 Census Dorothy was a shorthand typist with the Cambridge University and Town Gas Light Co, but she obviously retained an interest in photography as the minutes of the Cambridge and District Photographic Society list Dorothy as a proposed new member on 16 Oct 1923
References: England Census 1911, 1921. Minutes of the Cambridge and District Photographic Society 16 Oct 1923.

Name: CW PHOTOGRAPHY LBIPP
Address: Richden, Upwell Road, Christchurch, Wisbech. Tel 03548 282.
Working Dates: 1988-1999
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: Listed as a wedding photographer in 1988
References: Fenland Citizen 12 October 1988 p26. Peterborough Yellow Pages 1990, 1999

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This page was last modified: 15 April 2023, 17:59

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