Old Photographs - Cambridgeshire Photographers - St-Sy

Photographers are listed alphabetically by surname on the following pages.

0 - 9 | Aa-Ak | Al-Ao | Ap-As | At-Az | Ba-Bak | Bal-Bam | Ban-Bd | Be-Bh | Bi-Bk | Bl-Bn | Bo-Bp | Br-Bt | Bu-Bz | Ca-Ck | Cl-Cn | Coa-Cor | Cos-Cz | Da-Dh | Di-Dq | Dr-Dz | Ea-Ec | Ed-Ez | Fa-Fh | Fi-Fz | Ga-Gd | Ge-Gq | Gr-Gz | Ha-Hd | He-Hh | Hi-Hn | Ho-Hz | Ia-Iz | Ja-Je | Jf-Jz | Ka-Kz | La-Ld | Le-Ln | Lo-Lz | Maa-Mad | Mae-Mar | Mas-Mb | Mc-Mi | Mj-Mz | Na-Nh | Ni-Nn | No-Nz | Oa-Oz | Pa-Pb | Pc-Ph | Pi-Po | Pr-Pz | Qa-Qz | Ra-Rd | Re-Rh | Ri-Rz | Sa-Sb | Sc-Sf | Sg-Sk | Sla-Slz | Sma-Ss | Sta-Std | Ste-Sth | Sti-Sy | Ta-Te | Tf-Ti | Tj-Tz | Ua-Uz | Va-Vz | Wa-We | Wf-Wh | Wi-Wz | XYZ

Name:  STACEY, Brian  b:       d:
Address: 15 North St Wicken, Cambridgeshire
Working Dates: c.1980 - 1981
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information:
References: Cambridge Yellow Pages 1980, 1981

Name:  STANLEY & Co            
Address: 111 Cromwell Road, Peterborough (1910), Mansion House Buildings Westgate Peterborough (1912) (Also in Bradford)
Working Dates: c.1910-14 in Peterborough.
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: This firm remains something of an enigma. Below we set out a tangled web of interconnecting addresses, names and photographers. There are three local directory entries for this firm as photographers at 111 Cromwell Road, Peterborough 1910-14. Also there are a few surviving photographs by the firm with different addresses.

• First is a cabinet photograph taken outdoors in a garden of a group of three children c.1910. The reverse of the mount is blank, the mount is dark green and the lettering "Stanley and Co Peterborough and Bradford" is gilt.
• The second, another cabinet photograph, is reproduced with the permission of David Hodson, and is a portrait of an unknown member of the the Hodson family who lived at Yaxley. This is another natural light photograph, which appears to have been taken in a back garden. The mount contains the text "Stanley and Co Peterborough and Bradford"
• The third photograph is a studio portrait of a group of four smart young men grouped around a garden seat with a rustic background. The reverse is a postcard back with "Stanley and Co, Photographers, Peterborough" along the left hand edge. This photograph is dated 1912 and has the names of the subjects hand written on the reverse: "Walter Scott, Gordon Ames, Walter Lancing and Harold Goodwin".
• The fourth photograph is an oval photograph of a couple c.1910 on a 6.5 x 4.5 inch mount with the legend "Stanley and Co 213A Broad Street, Pendleton" in black lettering, reverse blank. This portrait appears to have been taken in a studio. The style of printing on all these mounts, the same name, similar "S" monograms, and the fact that Pendleton is close to Bradford, suggests these could be from the same firm.

In the 1901 census, the address of 111 Cromwell Road Peterborough was occupied by Zacchens Brown b:1874 Peterborough who had a dairy shop and did milk delivery. The 1911 census lists a photographer living at 111 Cromwell Road Peterborough, but his name was Simmons, not Stanley. His full details were: William Henry Simmons, b: 1861 Plymouth, a photographer, working on his own account from home. Living with him was his wife Elizabeth Simmons b: 1874 Northampton. William Henry Simmons was recorded as a photographer in an 1890 Directory at Notte Street Plymouth. Also in November 1890 William Henry Simmons, 52, Notte Street, Plymouth submitted to Stationers' Hall for copyright purposes a photograph of officers of HMS 'Serpent' (TNA COPY 1/402/311) According to a Plymouth Trade Directory 1885 52 Notte Street was occupied by another photographer, T.S.Roberts. The census return in 1911 places William Henry Simmons at 111 Cromwell Road at exactly the same time as the local directory entries list Stanley and Co at the same address.

At 213A Broad Street Pendleton in 1901 was a William Frost, a tobacconist, living with his three daughters and one son. By 1911 however there was a photographer at the address, who was Stanley Crippin, b:1886 Wigan, and his wife Edith. Stanley Crippin was the son of Edward Robert Crippin b:1856 Manchester, a carrier's agent in 1891 and a licensee of the Dog and Partridge in Wigan in 1901. Edward Robert Crippin had a long standing interest in photography, first as an amateur, then as a professional. The Wigan Observer and District Advertiser listed him as an officer of the Wigan Photographic Society on 18 May 1888. There are a number of newspaper reports mentioning Crippin taking photographs at events between between 1893 and 1900. In March 1894 Edward submitted to Stationers' Hall for copyright purposes a 15 x 12 photograph of the "Bolton Wanderers Football Team", copyright owner of work: Edward Robert Crippin, Spring Bank, Pemberton and Elizabeth Crippin, Spring Bank, Pemberton, Copyright author of work: Edward Robert Crippin, Spring Bank, Pemberton. (http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C9351105) This National Archive entry suggests that Edward's wife was involved in the Crippin photographic business. When he was initiated into the Lodge of Antiquity No 178 at Wigan on 16 September 1896 Edward gave his occupation as photographer. On 9 March 1900 The Wigan Observer reported that Messrs Crippin and Co of Spring Bank Pemberton had published a series of photographs of principals who took part in performances the previous autumn by the Wigan and District Operatic Society of the Mikado and Iolanthe. Crippin was employing others. On 14 Sept 1900 a rival firm, The Pemberton Photographic Company, opened a studio at Spring Bank Pemberton advertised as "under the management of Mr Skewse (late with Crippin and Co)". On 10 January 1903 the firm advertised: "The Mayors Juvenile Fancy Dress Ball - parents desiring photographs of children in fancy dress should make arrangements with Messrs Crippin and Co Ltd - all photos will be taken under the personal supervision of Mr Crippin himself. Appointments can be made at the Dog and Partridge Hotel next door to the Post Office". On 30 July 1904 Crippin and Co advertised the opening of their new Borough Studio, Market Square Wigan. "Come and see the new Electric Light Photography. For one month Messrs Crippin and Co will present to each customer ordering 1 doz Platinotype photographs, a nicely finished enlargement in sepia or black and white. At Crippin's studio daylight is not essential. Studio hours 9 am to 6 pm, after 6pm sittings by appointment. Market Square, Wigan and Meek's Buildings, Wallgate". Advertising by Crippin and Co last appeared in the Wigan Observer and District Advertiser in 1906.

Manchester Archives in their catalogue item 1927 "Photographs related to Mr and Mrs Butler and family" http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/8abf73aa-6a9b-420c-8d4a-e7c88fbcebc5 state "Dora Crippin (born 1882) was the eldest of 3 children of Mr. ? Crippin and his wife Elizabeth. Mr. Crippin was a studio photographer in Pemberton near Wigan. Dora's two brothers Stanley and Will took over the business on their fathers death but subsequently quarrelled, parted and went their own ways. Stanley finished up as an optician in Pemberton." Could it have been Stanley Crippin's first name used in this firm's name? 1910 was the year that Hawley Harvey Crippen, the murderer, was arrested and tried in a case which generated enormous publicity, so a photographic firm called "Crippin and Co" might suddenly have found themselves with a toxic brand name almost overnight. From 1910 there was a chiropodist, not a photographer, operating from Borough Studio, Market Square, Wigan.

Stanley Crippin, photographer, died on 23 May 1916: his address at the time was 213A Broad Street, Pendleton, Lancs. In 1911 Stanley's brother, Will Mather Crippin, b:1888 Wigan, was boarding at a lodging house at 113 The Grove Ealing - he was single and his occupation was shown as a water colour artist, not a photographer.

It is still not currently known what connection Stanley Crippen had with Peterborough or with William Henry Simmons.

References: Kellys Directory of Northamptonshire 1910, 1914
The Peterborough Directory 1912.
Wigan Observer and District Advertiser 18/5/1888, 29/7/1893, 6/3/1895, 29/10/1898, 22/7/1899, 19/8/1899, 9/3/1900, 14/9/1900, 10/1/1903, 24/6/1904, 30/7/1904, 8/7/1905, 2/12/1905, 30/12/1905, 24/2/1906

Name:  STALLAN, William James    b: 1882 Sawston     d:1953 Cambridge
Address: East View, London Road, Sawston
Working Dates: c.1904 -1911
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: The 1911 Census shows Stallan at his parents house in London Rd Sawston, working as a photographer on his own account. William's photographic occupation may not have lasted long - he had a single trade directory entry in 1904. By the 1921 Census William was a foreman at the Cambridge and Paul Instrument Company Ltd, scientific instrument makers. He was living with his widowed mother and a cousin at 6 Holland Street, Cambridge.
References: Mike Petty, The Photographers, (a handlist of local photographers), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire Collection, 1992
Kellys Directory of Cambridgeshire 1904;

Name:  STARR, Ralph     b: 9 Jan 1866      d: 1950
Address: Mill Road Cambridge, 108 Fitzroy Street, Regent Street, in 1933: 85 Regent Street Cambridge, 1 Lynn Road Ely: receiving depot 2 Wellington Street Littleport.
Working Dates: 1886-1939
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: Ralph Starr learned the photographic business working for Hills and Saunders in Cambridge before setting up on his own in Mill Road briefly, then from 1887 at 108 Fitzroy Street Cambridge. By 1890 Ralph's advertising in local newspapers offered six cartes de visite for 2s 6d, twelve for 4s 6d, and included the offering: "Amateurs' printing carefully executed" (e.g. Cambridge Daily News 20 May 1890 p1). In 1900 he opened another studio in Ely and another in Regent Street. Ralph Starr served two terms as the Mayor of Cambridge: 1918 and 1948. In 1921 Ralph was living at Rosemont, Newmarket Road, with his wife, son and a live-in servant. Ralph was a photographer and employer, his place of work shown as 43 Fitzroy Street, Cambridge. In the 1939 Register Ralph was listed as a retired photographer living at Rosemont, Newmarket Road, Cambridge. At the same address were: Eliza Starr b: 14/9/1872, single and Elizabeth Starr b: 13/11/1874 single.

A number of Ralph Starr's photographs are shown below. The first two are thought to be from his earliest works. The first is a carte de visite with a 3/4 length portrait of a standing young man. The mount is plain black card with gilt writing. On the face is "Ralph Starr 108 Fitzroy Street Cambridge". The reverse is blank. (Michael Brown Collection). Beside it is a portrait of two girls, presumably sisters. The same text is on the face of the mount, but impressed into a cream card with blank reverse. (Michael Brown Collection). Below this is a cabinet photograph from the Simon Shirley Collection of an unknown man with banjo. The mount of this carte is grey, the reverse blank and the print on the face and edging are in white - the text on the face says "Ralph Starr 108 Fitzroy Street Cambridge" with a monogram with an intertwined "R and S", believed to be 1890s, a peak in banjo popularity. Beside this is another cabinet photograph from the author's collection, a family portrait c.1890s, mother, father and two girls on grey mount on which is written in white “Ralph Starr 108 Fitzroy St Cambridge Daylight and Electric Light Studio” with a similar monogram. Again the reverse of the mount is plain card. Presumably the carte with the additional advertising information is the later of the two. Next are two cartes de visite of unknown gentlemen, cream mounts with gilt chamfer edges, and gilt writing. Both have the 108 Fitzroy Street address, one has "Day and electric light studio". Below these is another cabinet photograph, a side profile of a standing figure in Mayoral robes. The mount is black with gold lettering and edging. We are grateful to Sian Cooksey for identifying the likely subject of this portrait as Alfred Tillyard, Cambridge Mayor 1899-1900. (see https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/media/3891/cambridge-mayors.pdf.)

Beneath that is a rarer "midget" carte de visite of a young boy in a sailor shirt and a jacket which looks several sizes too large for him, c.1890s. The size of this is 38 x 76 mm (3 inches x 1.5 inches). The mount has "Ralph Starr Cambridge" in gold lettering beneath the image - it is on cream card with gilt edges. A couple of millimeters seem to have been trimmed off the bottom edge, perhaps to fit this into an album or wallet. The reverse of the mount is blank. Next is another midget carte de visite of an unknown young lady, 38 x 76 mm, gilt lettering on the face, reverse blank. Reproduced with permission of Ron Cosens (www.cartedevisite.co.uk).

References: Mike Petty, The Photographers, (a handlist of local photographers), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire Collection, 1992
108 Fitzroy Street Cambridge Kellys Directory of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, Kelly and Co London Sept 1896
Kellys Directory of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, Kelly and Co London July 1900
Cambridgeshire Collection’s Carte de Visite Collection c.65.5 has 22 cabinet photographs with 3 variations in mounts from Ralph Starr.

Cabinet portraits by Ralph Starr - man with banjo and unknown family group, 1890s

     

Two cartes de visite, reverse of both mounts blank, probably 1890s

Portrait of a Mayor in Mayoral robes, possibly a portrait of Alfred Tillyard, Cambridge Mayor 1899-1900.

Rare midget carte de visite from Ralph Starr, cropped across the base.

Another midget carte de visite of an unknown young lady, 38 x 76 mm, gilt lettering on the face, reverse blank. Reproduced with permission of Ron Cosens (www.cartedevisite.co.uk)

See GATES and STARR Spaldings Directory of Cambridge 1891-1900
Cambridgeshire Collection’s Carte de Visite Collection c.65.5 has a cabinet photograph by Gates and Starr.

Joined by J.W. RIGNALL to become STARR AND RIGNALL 1904
Mike Petty, An Eye on the Past, Cambridge Weekly News, 29/11/1990

Name: STARR AND RIGNALL

Addresses from Directory entries: 108 Fitzroy Street Cambridge, Kellys Directory of Cambridgeshire 1904-19
108 Fitzroy Street and High Street Ely in Kelly’s Directory of Cambridgeshire 1916. There was an advertisement in the Cambridge Independent Press for 6th July 1917 for a "respectable young lady and boy" to join the firm - applications to them in writing at Fitzroy Street Cambridge.
43 Fitzroy Street; Spaldings Directory of Cambridge 1920-26.
85 Regent Street; Kellys Directory of Cambridgeshire 1929-1940
See also REGENT STUDIO Spaldings Directory of Cambridge 1901-26 – in the Directories for 1927-8, 29-30, 30/31, 31/32,32/33 the entry is shown as Regent Studio (Starr and Rignall) 85 Regent Street. Rignall was living at this address in the 1911 census.
Working Dates: 1904-1940
Subjects, styles, advertising, other relevant information: The firm was a partnership between Ralph Starr and John William Rignall. See dates above. The 1921 Census lists the following as employees of the firm: HARDING, Gladys Effie; POND, Harry William; STIMPSON, Edith Mary; THOMPSON, Doris; TREVERS, Wilfred; and WILMORE, Adelaide Violet.
See below: a carte de visite, c.1905 of an unknown young man, cream mount with gilt edges and writing on the face "Starr & Rignall Cambridge and Ely" with a S&R monogram. Reverse blank. This appears to be a carbon print, not having faded or turned sepia over time as do albumen prints. Next, a carte de visite, c.1905 of an unknown young man, again a carbon print on a more lavish, presumably later, dark green enameled mount with square corners and gilt edges, beneath the image in gold lettering "Ralph Starr and JW Rignall 108 Fitzroy Street Cambridge City Studios Ely" Next to this is a cabinet photograph on a similar mount. Beneath this is a studio portrait of a family from The Regent Studio Cambridge, c.1930, approx 6 x 4 in on brown folder mount, detail from the cover appears below the photo. Next is a mounted 8 x 6 inch print which appears to be from the 1950s, (but must be a bit earlier given the firm's directory entries) of a Garden Party at 96 Chesterton Road Cambridge (now the Red House Doctor's surgery). The mount is cream imitation linen finish card with double green lines round the image. The photographers name "Starr and Rignall Cambridge and Ely" is impressed in the bottom RH corner of the mount, possibly in-house with a small hand embossing machine, shown in detail below. Next are two different products from the studio. The first is an oval print of a soldier in uniform in a 5.5 x 3in die cut scalloped dark brown mount with gilt lettering. The uniform of the subject appears to be from WW1, but close examination shows the image to be a copy of an earlier photograph, so this may be from the 1920s. The second different product is a circular print mounted on a 5 in square mount, graduated grey to cream, with white lettering. This could be again from the 1920s. Also below are two real photograph post card images from the firm, probably around 1910-20 - they have divided backs with place for stamp marked, but no postal rates. Also scanned are details from the rear of three real photo postcards showing the firm's name. Next is Portrait of unknown lady, 1920s, reverse stamped "Starr and Rignall, City Studio Ely". Below this is a Starr and Rignall Ely view, over-printed with seasonal greetings in 1936. Below this is a 5 x 3 in portrait of a sailor and soldier from WWII by "Starr & Rignall City Studio, Ely" and a 1930s portrait (postcard back) of a little girl with soft toy (Pat Saddington Collection). Next is a 5.5 x 4in image of an unknown lady in snakeskin shoes. The mount has the name "Starr and Rignall" and the address "City Studio Ely." Next is a Starr and Rignall enlarged and mounted portrait c 1920-25 of Henry and Annie Barrett. The photograph measures 15 x 10cm. The mount has the legend in gilt "Starr & Rignall Cambridge Ely" with a monogram SR in the centre (reproduced from the Barrett family archive).

Next is a photograph which illustrates a different part of the business of Starr and Rignall. This postcard is typical of the seaside town commercial street photographer who snapped away at holiday makers offering them the chance to call later at the studio to pick up a print of their photograph. These "Walking Photographs" were also offered to the customer as postcards for them to send back home to friends and relatives. This example has the name on the reverse of Cambridge and Ely photographers Starr and Rignall. The little girl has a bucket and spade suggesting the seaside. We are most grateful to Paul Godfrey and Simon Robinson for identifying the location of this photograph as Pier Avenue, Clacton. Paul writes, " I would conjecture that your Starr and Rignall photo was one of three taken in a strip with a 35mm Cine camera and has been specially printed at a later date as a postcard. Most cine camera walkie strips are three inches wide or a slightly larger three and a half inches wide and about seven inches long.  I know of two operators in Clacton taking this type of walkie photo. One is Sunfilms and I know very little about them. The other is Empire Films run by James Hobson. Empire Films were the photographic concession holder at the Butlin Holiday Camp at Clacton before WW2. After WW2 Butlins had their own photographic company and Ilford Limited were part owners." Solving the mystery of the location leaves another unanswered question. What was a Starr and Rignall photographer doing taking street photographs at Clacton. Did a photographer from Starr and Rignall go to the coast in the summer to take on this sort of seasonal work to expand the business? Or could this be Starr and Rignall doing developing and printing work for customers, and this is a customer's photograph printed with a Starr and Rignall postcard back? If you are interested in Walking Photographs generally, take a look at this excellent site on the subject: https://gohomeonapostcard.wordpress.com/. There is more on Walking Pictures in Cambridgeshire on our site at www.fadingimages.uk/walking.asp.

Reference: Kellys Directory of Cambridgeshire 1929 at 72 Bridge Street Cambridge and 1 St Mary’s St Ely
Kellys Directory 1933 and 1937 Starr and Rignall 85 Regent Street Cambridge, 1 Lynn Road Ely plus in 1933 a receiving depot 2 Wellington Street Littleport.
Cambridgeshire Collection’s Carte de Visite Collection c.65.5 has 1 Carte de visite, 1 cabinet photograph and two other images from Starr and Rignall. Starr and Rignall did more than just studio portrait work, for example they produced a pack of a series of 12 views of Ely Cathedral "for your album" for 1/6d

Carte de visite, Starr & Rignall, Cambridge and Ely c1905

Carte de visite on left and cabinet photograph on right, on dark green enameled mount from Starr and Rignall c.1905

Family portrait The Regent Studio, Starr and Rignall

Detail from the mount cover - Regent Studio

Starr and Rignall - garden party at 96 Chesterton Road, Cambridge looks like 1950s but probably earlier

Detail of Starr & Rignall mount of the garden party photograph above

An example of a different product - oval print mounted in diecut scalloped 5.5 x 3 in mount

Another different product, perhaps from the 1920s, with a circular print of a young girl in a 5 in square grey / cream graduated mount with white lettering.

Two real photograph postcards c. 1910-20 from Starr and Rignall

Firm's designation on the rear of three different real photo postcards c 1910-20

Portrait of unknown lady, 1920s, reverse stamped "Starr and Rignall, City Studio Ely"

1936 Starr and Rignall postcard over-printed as a greeting card

1940s Starr and Rignall portrait of two servicemen

1930s Starr and Rignall, Cambridge and Ely portrait of child with soft toy.

1950s portrait of unknown woman in snakeskin shoes, from the City Studio Ely.

Starr and Rignall enlarged and mounted portrait c 1920-25 of Henry and Annie Barrett. The photograph measures 15 x 10cm. The mount has the legend in gilt "Starr & Rignall Cambridge Ely" with a monogram SR in the centre (reproduced from the Barrett family archive).

Starr and Rignall's City Studio, junction St Mary's Street and Lynn Road, Ely. The main studio was on the 1st floor to the right of the Kodak flag in Lynn Road. This image is reproduced by kind permission of the Cambridgeshire Collection, reference Y.Ely.K3 41694

Starr and Rignall postcard - walking picture - taken in Clacton

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Photographers are listed alphabetically by surname on the following pages.

0 - 9 | Aa-Ak | Al-Ao | Ap-As | At-Az | Ba-Bak | Bal-Bam | Ban-Bd | Be-Bh | Bi-Bk | Bl-Bn | Bo-Bp | Br-Bt | Bu-Bz | Ca-Ck | Cl-Cn | Coa-Cor | Cos-Cz | Da-Dh | Di-Dq | Dr-Dz | Ea-Ec | Ed-Ez | Fa-Fh | Fi-Fz | Ga-Gd | Ge-Gq | Gr-Gz | Ha-Hd | He-Hh | Hi-Hn | Ho-Hz | Ia-Iz | Ja-Je | Jf-Jz | Ka-Kz | La-Ld | Le-Ln | Lo-Lz | Maa-Mad | Mae-Mar | Mas-Mb | Mc-Mi | Mj-Mz | Na-Nh | Ni-Nn | No-Nz | Oa-Oz | Pa-Pb | Pc-Ph | Pi-Po | Pr-Pz | Qa-Qz | Ra-Rd | Re-Rh | Ri-Rz | Sa-Sb | Sc-Sf | Sg-Sk | Sla-Slz | Sma-Ss | Sta-Std | Ste-Sth | Sti-Sy | Ta-Te | Tf-Ti | Tj-Tz | Ua-Uz | Va-Vz | Wa-We | Wf-Wh | Wi-Wz | XYZ