Edward Wade (1829-1869, but dates uncertain) of Preston was listed by Gillian Jones in “Lancashire Professional Photographers 1840-1940” (pub. 2004). In 1860, Wade announced that he had moved to “more commodious premises” at number 36 Fishergate, and he offered to rent number 117 Fishergate (his old/first studio?). Wade remained at number 36 Fishergate until May, 1869, when he posted a notice in The Preston Chronicle to announced his retirement, and the sale of his negatives, cameras and equipment.
No mention is made of Wade as a daguerreotypist in the Heathcoates’ A Faithful Likeness.
We can safely assume that he had been busy making carte-de-visites for almost a decade, but how did he become a photographer, and, most importantly, when did he take this daguerreotype?
With the generous help of BPH member, Rob Whalley, who has provided much valuable information, I have been trying to establish the facts relating to a daguerreotype which I found very recently. The leather case imprinted with the logo of E. Wade, appears to be a product of the mid- to late 1840s, but Edward Wade would only have been about 18 years old at that time…
In trying to unveil this enigma, I would appeal for help to anyone who knows of the existence of other daguerreotypes marked E. Wade, 117, Fishergate, Preston.
Comments
Michael, the wording of the advert and the price was the same in the 1858 and 1859 adverts, “Wade’s Photographic Portrait Rooms, 117, Fishergate, Preston. A splendid portrait, in case complete, from 3s. 6d.”
Thanks, Rob. 'A splendid portrait' seems appropriate in the instances of both the daguerreotype and the ambrotype.
Indeed!
There's an interesting Silas Eastham image on Ebay at the moment, Rob: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256495413451?_nkw=Silas+Eastham&itmm...
Thanks Mike, this lot has been doing the rounds periodically for some time on that eponymous site, presumably the price reflects the coloured sitter.
Whilst Silas and John Eastham were active daguerreotypists in Preston 1845/46 onwards, as Michael knows the earliest reference I could find to Edward Wade (c.1829 – 1886) was in the Preston Chronicle - Saturday 09 May 1857 p1c (it's on BNA) regarding the opening of his new studio. From later adverts it looks like his sitter would have paid from 3s.6d. for her cased portrait. He was in business as a photographer in Preston May 1857 - April 1868. I've built up quite a biographical background for him.
As Michael said, neither the Heathcotes, nor Gillian Jones, nor I, found any earlier references to him as a photographer. In September 1854 he advertised his new upholstery business at 38A Lune Street, Preston. Though that shop and house was advertised to let in April 1855. So 1855-57 it seems that he was back in Liverpool. His opening advert in May 1857 intimates that he gained photographic experience with an unnamed "first class house" there in that intervening period. An art student named Edward Wade was awarded a Board of Trade medal at the Liverpool Institute just before Edward Wade's Preston studio opened.
Edward’s retirement advert in March 1868 talks of negatives taken “during the last ten years” so this also suggests that he switched to photography c. 1857/8, presumably at 117 Fishergate, the address in his opening advert and on Michael's case. He was still at that address in May 1860 when he advertised that he had moved to more commodious rooms over Henry Oakey's shop at 36 Fishergate. He apparently only had one room at 117. He first advertised his business for sale in December 1866, presumably unsuccessfully, finally advertising his retirement in April 1868. He subsequently returned to the upholstery trade.
Please message me if you would like more information.
Dear Rob, many thanks for your invaluable input summarising the activities of Edward Wade in Preston. Two elements seem particularly important here. If Wade didn't learn the daguerreotype trade from the Easthams, did he learn it in Liverpool, as Michael suggested, or perhaps in Manchester? The other highly significant fact which you noted is that he was charging 3s. 6d for a cased portrait - cased portraits suggests that he was producing daguerreotypes and/or ambrotypes in the 1850s, as the illustrations here seem to testify. I can only repeat that - in my opinion - he was making daguerreotypes in a style more reminiscent of the 40s than the 50s, (though all the evidence seems to be against me)!
Perhaps he obtained some old brass mattes etc from his former employers, and just had some new cases embossed.
It's always possible, of course, Rob, but it's the mercurial glow of the daguerreotype plate itself that suggests the 1840s (late, perhaps) to me, together with the rather dated style of posing - one elbow on a table loaded with books.
Regarding the Eastham posting on the sales page, you are right: the price reflects the rarity of an ethnic portrait from Manchester at that date...
Many thanks once again.
Mike, Ironically, that is the one that interests me the least! No matter how good copy photos are, they can't capture that 'mercurial glow'! You are looking at your original, we have to make do with, and draw conclusions from, a photo, hence why I can only go with what my research reveals. Regards Rob
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next