I recently came across a CDV album of portraits and topographical views. I bought it partly because I recognised one view to be of Hexham. After "my" conservator had removed the CDVs for cleaning, I was extremely pleased to learn that this view and 10 others carried an early backstamp of J. P. Gibson, Hexham. Some also carried a printed paper label, presumably also created by Gibson. I am sure that many members here are familiar with his name. His family had a chemist shop at Hexham Market Place, as shown in the Hexham view. A later version of the shop is now in the Science Museum, London.
Of the ten other Gibson views, six feature Dilston (four castle and grounds, two the bridge over Devil's Water), two Hexham Abbey (interior and exterior) and two Corbridge (town views).
I have done a little research since receiving the images earlier this week but have not managed to find other Gibson CDVs with the particular backstamp shown on mine. Based on the presence of some early 1860s-dated portraits and a couple of "W&D Downey, So. Shields" backstamps in the album, I would guess that "my" Gibson's date from the mid-1860s. That said, some "teaser text" for a book on Backhouse and Mounsey suggests that Gibson didn't start making topograpical views until around the 1880s.
Can anyone provide more information on Gibson and his early work? I attach images of the Hexham view and a far less commecial one of an apple tree in Dilston (perhaps the children are Gibson's or thiose of the Earl of Derwentwater).
I would be happy to share more images with anyone interested in researching the album further.
Comments
Your conclusions as to the date of your cartes de visite are correct, the book is wrong.
John Pattison Gibson V.D., F.S.A. (1838 – 1912) was the eldest son of William Wilson Gibson (1812 – 1878), a druggist on Fore Street, Hexham, and his wife Clara (nee Stainthorpe, 1812 - 1891), he was christened on 11 February 1838.
In the 1851 Census he was a 13 year old scholar lodging in Newcastle on Tyne, where he attended the Grammar School. In February 1855 he won a “free studentship” to the Newcastle School of Art, his fees were paid by the department. John then returned to Hexham and joined the family business, and also the local rifle volunteer corps.
In the 1861 Census The family were living on Fore Street, William and Clara were both 48, William was a Druggist, Grocer and Dealer in glass; John aged 23 was a druggist’s assistant. On 25 July 1861 John married Elizabeth Judith Frances Walton in Hexham, they went on to have 12 children.
In September 1866 the Newcastle Journal reported on his newly published views:
“PHOTOGRAPHIC VIEWS IN SOUTH NORTHUMBERLAND.—
Mr. J. P. Gibson, photographer, Hexham, has just photographed and published a series of interesting views taken in South Northumberland, inclusive of Sandhoe House (the residence of Sir Rowland S. Errington, Bart.; Blenkinsopp Castle, the seat of Capt. J. B. Coulson, the interior of the Transept in Hexham Abbey, and also one of the interior of the Choir of that venerable edifice; and an external view of the Abbey and the Old Vicarage; Corbridge Bridge; the Hanging Bridge, on the Allen, at Ridley Hall; the town of Hexham from the Bridge, the famous “Drake” Stone at Harbottle, on the Coquet; a Swiss Cottage, on the banks of the Allen; and two splendid views of Hareshaw Linn, near Bellingham. The whole of the views are admirably photographed, and the most casual observer cannot fail to discover that Mr. Gibson is well up in his profession. We have seldom, indeed, seen finer specimens of photography either in town or in the provinces.”
That month he also exhibited at an exhibition of paintings in Newcastle. The following April he was the driving force behind an art exhibition in Hexham held to raise funds for the Mechanics’ Institution. In August 1867 he exhibited some photographs at the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society’s 35th exhibition; henceforth he became a regular exhibitor at exhibitions at home and abroad until 1892.
In June 1868 he published some apparently “excellent” photographic views of the foundation stone laying ceremony for the new Congregational Church, Hexham. In November 1869 he advertised in the Newcastle Chronicle as follows:
CARTES DE VISITE OF THE COUNTESS OF DERWENTWATER,
Published with her special permission. Also, the Encampment,
the Rival Camps, Dilston Castle, &c. Sixpence each; post free,
seven stamps. James, Earl of Derwentwater, nine stamps.
A liberal Discount to the Trade. Agents wanted.
J. P. GIBSON, Photographer, Hexham.
That advertisement ran regularly until January 1870. In the 1871 Census John, aged 33 years, was recorded as a photographer, employing 1 boy, as well as being a partner in a Chemist & Druggist business. The partnership between W. W. Gibson and J. P. Gibson, trading as Gibson and Son, was dissolved by mutual consent on 1 January 1873; John continued, trading alone, under the same name.
Please message me with your email address as I’d like to see more of the images and I have more details of his later life.
Hope this helps!
Thank you Rob. This certainly helps!
I may well have the interior and exterior views of Hexham Abbey referred to in the 1866 article.
One of the reasons I bought the CDV album was that I already had an album with a much larger view of Hexham market place. David Barber kindly identified it for me. The album has strong connections with the Erringtons and Sandhoe House .
I will message you with my email address.
Thanks again and best for now.