Examples of work from the Appleton Studios

An attempt has been made here to place the portraits in chronological order using the information that is available from the card designs, the address of the studios and all other information that is available. As further information comes to light the order will be changed, as necessary.

Carte De Visite

Plain text on the back, Square Corners, Thin Card

Two addresses Horton Lane and Top of Manor Row.

Estimated date between 1859-63

Carte De Visite

Central logo on back with some scroll work, Square Corners

Thin Card, Two addresses Horton Lane and Top of Manor Row.

Negative number included., Additional text added to promote the reordering of prints.

Estimated Date between 1859-63 when Henry Berlon was in partnership with Thomas Appleton. Interestingly no examples of numbered cards can be found that are dated after 1863 so perhaps it was Berlon's influence that introduced the numbering. After Appleton and Berlon split up the partnership in 1863 Berlon continued at the top of Manor Row and he continued to number his portraits, presumably keeping a ledger and the negatives filed in number order. There would be no point in numbering otherwise.

Carte De Visite

Plain text on back, Square Corners, Horton Lane studio only

Space for negative number but no number written.

Additional text added to promote the reordering of prints. A number of photographs of Methodists ministers were taken during 1864 and 1865 and these used the same cards as shown here. Some of these photos were registered for copyright and this confirms the date.

Carte De Visite

Central Logo on Back, Square Corners,Thin Card

Horton Lane address only. Estimated date between 1863-72

The sitter has been confirmed to be William Jackson

Carte De Visite

Coloured Vignette, Square Corners, Thin Card

Studio at Horton Lane (At least four versions of this image exist), some use different colour ink.

Name of studio on Front of card. Name of sitter hand written on back of card. Mrs Tetley

The square corners on this card and the fact that only the Horton Lane address is shown would suggest this style of card was used between 1863-72. However the Bradford Media Museum have a similar card dated 1880. Further work is required for more accurate dating.

Not all sitters were named during this period but some were.

1872. Additional premises opened at 60 Manningham Lane

Carte De Visite

William Morley Punshon, Rounded Corners, Thicker card

Central Logo on back., Logo introduced to front of card.

Embossed Appleton stamp to bottom right of picture

Button missing from shirt. A man without a wife no doubt.

A Similar portrait exists in the National Portrait Gallery but this one is ¾ length and has a copyright notice. They have dated their portrait as 1864, however the backing card design shown here would suggest that this portrait is after 1872. Puncheons appearance is similar in both images so perhaps his appearance changed very little changed little over the 1860s/70s or perhaps Appleton was using an old negative in this example. Further investigation is required on this, with particularly reference to the original copyright application.

Carte De Visite

Rounded Corners, Thicker card, Central Logo on back.

Logo introduced to front of card. Embossed Appleton stamp to bottom right of picture

Dated August 1874. It is unlikely that the studio dated this card as another example existing probably of this girls brother, again dated 1874 but the name and date are written on the front.

Horton Lane and Manningham Lane

Carte De Visite

Rounded Corners

Central Logo on back.

Logo introduced to front of card.

Embossed Appleton stamp to bottom right of picture

This image is a Black and White scan of the original.

Most Probably mid 1870s. Sitter thought to be Joseph Barraclough 1810-1878

Horton Lane and Manningham Lane address shown.

Carte De Visite

Rounded Corners, Thicker card, Central Logo on back.

Logo introduced to front of card. Embossed Appleton stamp to bottom right of picture

Horton Lane and Manningham Lane. Military or Police Gentleman

Dated 1877

Carte De Visite

Rounded Corners, Thicker card, Plain Back

Tissue Cover celebrated the highest award of silver medal at the 1882 Bradford Fine Arts Exhibition.

Horton Lane address only shown on this card which shows that even in the 1880s cards were being printed which promoted the two studios separately.

Cabinet Card

Design on back incorporating two Coats of Arms

Horton Lane and Manningham Lane

Card Promotes Autotype Patent – Carbon Process. The Autotype company was formed in 1868.

Embossed Appleton stamp to bottom right of picture

Card states business was established in 1859. Cabinet cards were introduced after 1867.

Another example of this card design exists which has the Prince of Wales planting a tree at Milner Field the home of Titus Salt Junior. This was taken in June 1882.

Carte De Visite +

Card slightly bigger than standard Carte De Visite

Example of Autotype with signs of tissue being used.

Address Horton Lane and Manningham Lane

Most probably dates from mid to late 1870s

Swann the inventor of the Autotype a permanent carbon printing process displayed Autotypes for the first time in Leeds in 1869 he later sold licences to use the process throughout the regions.

1887

Additional Premises opened at 58, Manningham Lane

Cabinet Card, Rounded Corners, Green Card with Gold edge to card

Gold signature., Plain Back with signs of tissue.

Embossed Appleton stamp to bottom right of picture

Address shows 58 and 60 Manningham Lane

Estimated Date between 1887-1901