Research: Bermondsey - the earliest photographic images - 1840-1860

[Peter Leonard]

I am researching a number of different aspects of mid 19th century Bermondsey (Southwark, South London), but when I search for early photographs of the parish, usually the images that I find in most local history or photographic collections are circa 1890-1930. I realise that Bermondsey was a pretty unappetising place for photographs in the 1840's, 1850's and 1860's and that any photographs may have been taken to highlight the plight of the poor or the workers in the predominant industry of leather manufacture. The earliest images I have seen relate to Bevington's Leather Factory in Neckinger in 1862.

Would any members be able to give me any advice on whether such images exist anywhere ?

Many thanks

Peter