Description

Immediate dispatch from Somerset. Nice book in great condition. Pages in excellent condition. No notes or highlighting. See images. Fantastic book.

About the book >.>.> In the September William married Maria Whitney the youngest daughter of Richard Whitney a local gardener and the young couple lived in Victoria Street. At the time of the marriage William was described as a porter but a few years later he obtained employment with Mr. Jabez Hughes of Regina House 60 Union Street and trained to be a photographic assistant. Mr. Hughes who had been a photographer in London came to Ryde in 1861 when he purchased a photographic business in the Royal Victoria Arcade Union Street. Later he obtained the lease on 60 Union Street and in 1865 had Regina House built as studios offices and darkrooms. It was in this new building that William learnt his profession. Mr. Hughes had obtained Royal patronage and William was sent to Osborne House to photograph Queen Victoria and members of her family. In 1883 Jabez Hughes took in a partner Gustav Mullins and the business became known as ‘Hughes and Mullins’. Mr. Hughes died in the following year and Mr. Mullins carried on the business purchasing the fittings and furniture from the widow. About this time William and his family moved from Victoria Street to Anglesea Street where they stayed for some years before moving to Buckingham Road. At the end of the century William left the employment of Mr. Mullins and took a tobacconist business at the bottom of George Street near the Esplanade. He became a sub-postmaster in 1906 but continued to use his photographic skills. He took his plate camera around Ryde and from the negatives produced a series of postcard views. Local inhabitants also commissioned him to photograph their families and houses. As old age approached he passed over to his daughter Mrs. Reid the running of the sub-post office and the shop. (LL)