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
definatly from the late 1850's.
Sandy Barrie
Thanks, Sandie. I'm hoping to come up with a date before the search ends...
Michael - in case it helps, Edward Wade's life-dates would appear to have been: 1829-1886. Given that he only left £80 at his death, it would appear that his photographic-career had not been overly-successful! Robin Ansell
Many thanks for the information, Robin. £80 in 1886 would be the equivalent of £1300 today, however, so not rich, but not destitute, either.
Michael
He isn't in my database. What is the source for the 1857 date?
Steve
See Michael Pritchard below. Wade began working at 117 Fishergate in 1857. I would be interested in tracing him as an assistant in a Liverpool studio at some point earlier. I would also welcome opinions regading the case and presentation, Steve... My first impression was that the package dated from the mid-late 1840s.
I'll email you. It's a newspaper ad.
I have several cdv by E Wade and the attached was on ebay a while ago.
Ron Cosens
Thank you, Ron. It looks like a ninth-plate ambrotype. Can you confrim? A fine quarter-plate ambrotype by Wade (ex-Hannavy coll) has also been traced, which gives him quite a photo-genealogy - from daguerreotypist to ambrotypist to cdv photographer.
Mike - I've just emailed. It seems he set up at 117 Fishergate in May 1857, having trained in Liverpool, so the dag likely dates to 1857-1860.
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next