For a research project at the Courtauld we are hoping to find out more about the life and career of Paul Laib (b. 1869 Hamburg, d. 1958 London) as well as of the co-directors of his photographic studio Horace Gilchrist (1898-1972) and Eric Laib (1903-1994). We have already carried out extensive research in the various archives/collections, and we are particularly interested in finding any unpublished correspondence, business records, etc. Thank you in advance for your support.
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Hi Gerlind! I'm currently compiling a list of the work of Bernard Hailstone RP (1910-1987), fireman artist, official war artist and royal portrait painter. The name Paul Laib rang a bell: it appears on the back of the attached pdf of a photograph I have in one of BH's reference files. BH had a studio in Kensington/Chelsea from the 1950s onwards. I have no idea of the date of the photograph other than prior to about 1960 (because of the KEN telephone number). I also have no idea of the identity of the sitter: if he matches anything in your research, it would be great to know! Hope it's of some use. Best regards - Andrew Ellis <andrewellis.plymouth@gmail.com>
Hi Andrew, Thank you for your kind reply. Yes, that's right. Paul Laib ran his studio in Thistle Grove, South Kensington, between 1901 and 1958. After his death the studio continued to operate under the directorship of Eric Laib (his son) and Horace Gilchrist. I'll let you know in case we find out more Laib's work for Hailstone. Best wishes, Gerlind
Thanks Gerlind!
Here's another one from Bernard Hailstone's reference files. The portrait itself is signed and dated 1968 and I'm pretty confident in identifying the sitter as Sir Alec Rose. The photograph bears the Thistle Grove address but a different phone number. Best - Andrew.