One of Random Scottish History’s patrons has spent some amount of time and funds on acquiring CDVS that contain hints as to who the people pictured were in a bid to find current family who may want the pictures of their ancestors. I’m sure I’m not alone in feeling that’s a particularly altruistic way to spend one’s time. Here at RSH we have a small collection of these kind of calling cards obtained from across Scotland, though, mainly, the west coast, that we thought visitors to the site might enjoy having a wee look at.
These types of personal photographs became popular from the mid-1800s, as the practice of photography really got off the ground. It only became more popular as the time taken, to be photographed, shortened and became more convenient, as well as cheaper, with the advances that were rapidly being made. People would collect the pictures of their friends and family, as well as celebrities of the day.
Probably the most famous of Glasgow’s early photographers was Thomas Annan (1829-1887). He took photos of varying Glasgow scenes and areas, many of the dingy back streets, not considered particularly fashionable, though due to this we now have a fantastic plethora of images of Old Glasgow which may have been lost to time without him having been set to this task by the Glasgow City Improvement Trust. I’m not comfortable posting the images here as they were sent to me years ago from a source I don’t recall. But for those who are interested in seeing some examples I have a folder of them on the Cloud. We have a representation of Thomas Annan’s premises on Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, within our Miscellaneous Collected Pictures.
The CDVs by other photographers were obtained from the one collector in Arizona. They were accompanied by an informative note which reads:
“Glad these found a good home. My wife’s father collected these in Ontario, Canada, in Hamilton. Maybe people who emigrated to Canada.”
Many of these pictures are of members of the same families and are wonderful for having the surnames of those featured. I’ve grouped them by photographer.
This post is specifically for personal CDVs we have in our collection. I have no further information on the people pictured besides that which I’ve included below each example. If I’m able to give dates the photographers were at the addresses given, I’ve included a short run-down, to give an idea of when the individual pictures might have been taken.
–
Thomas Annan (1829-87).
Thomas Annan operated from 200-2 Hope Street from 1859.
Lived with his wife & family at 15 Burnbank Road, Hamilton.
Brother Robert joins him in the venture from 1869.
At 153 Sauchiehall Street from 1873.
Expanded into Lenzie in the 1880s.
Thomas ended his own life at the age of 57 in 1887.
–
George McKenzie (1827-97).
George McKenzie operated from 5 Gilmour Street, Paisley, from 1867-97.
–
John Adamson (1809-70).
–
John Stuart (1831-1907).
John Stuart operated from 120 Buchanan Street from 1859-1901.
Lived at Thistlebank, Charlotte Street, Helensburgh.
–
Alexander Macnab.
Alexander Macnab operated from 98 West Nile Street, Glasgow, from 1858-67.
–
Robert Wilson.
–
William Stewart (1838-83).
