Henry Berlon
Henry Berlon took up business and formed a partnership with Thomas William Appleton in 1853/4 under the business name Appleton & Co. They opened up a photographic studio at the top of Manor Row in Bradford and in 1859 they opened a second studio at 7 Horton Lane Bradford. These were prime sites and because these were early days in the photographic studio business they must have attracted a lot of attention.
The partnership continued until 21st Nov 1863 when Perry’s Bankrupt Gazette reported that the partnership based at Horton Lane and Manor Row had ceased. Berlon made an announcement in the Bradford Observer on 7th Jan 1864 which read.
" Mr Henry Berlon (late Appleton & Co) respectfully informs his numerous friends and the public that, since the dissolution of partnership, he continues the PHOTOGRAPHIC BUSINESS, at the top of Manor Row, on his own account and will endeavour to merit a continuance of the patronage he has hitherto enjoyed"
Henry's business as a photographic artist continued at Manor Row/North Parade until 1873 when he went bankrupt. The London Gazette announced that a creditors meeting had been called on 30th April 1873 and that all creditors were summoned to the offices of Henry Berlon’s attorneys Berry and Robinson, 1 Charles Street, Bradford.
Henry had married Emily Teresa Matthews from Manchester in June 1866. Her father Samuel Matthews was a registered surgeon. On the register of electors in 1868-9 they are shown as living at North Parade Bradford. Perhaps they were living above the studio as North Parade and Manor Row meet where the current Yorkshire Penny Bank now stands and this was the location of his studio. Because Henry only operated in his own right between 1864 and 1873 then any Carte De Visite photographs with the Berlon logo must date from this period.
Some examples of portrait photographs taken by Henry Berlon between 1864 and 1873 are shown below. It was common practice for full length portraits to be taken, although vignettes were also popular. In the two pictures of the ladies it can be seen that the same chair is used as a prop but a different backdrop is used. Often these props were used to steady the sitter and prevent movement during long exposures, a head rest may have also been used. During the 1860's exposure times could have been about 10 seconds, although in winter months when the daylight was not as good the exposure times would have been a great deal longer..
Henry numbered the back of some of his photographs and the above photographs are numbered between 2036 to 3422 and with the letter B. The numbering of the photos would aid reordering of prints and this information would presumably be entered into a ledger along with the sitters name. Its wasn’t normal practice by most photographer to write the sitters name on the back of the photo but in the case of the second photo from the left the gentleman is named as Mr Singleton. Here are examples of two different designs which were used on the back of the cards.
A photograph of the actress Amy Sedgewick is held by the Victoria and Albert Museum. The picture itself has been removed from its backing card but Henry Berlon is mentioned against this picture. The photo was part of the Guy Little collection.
Between 1867 and 1881 Henry and Emily had seven children, Max, Helen, Ida, Alfred, Adolf, Beatrice and Mabel. By 1873 the family had moved to 51 Southfield Square, Bradford, from where Emily offered piano and singing lessons. By 1881 they had moved to 7 Wilbury Drive.
In 1868 Henry was secretary to the Art Union of Glasgow. He probably acted as a local agent to promote the Union. An advertisement for the Art Union was placed In the Bradford Observer of 4th June 1868. The object of the Art Union of Glasgow was to aid in extending a knowledge of fine arts, by distributing among its members meritorious Works of Art. A subscription of One Guinea constituted membership for the year. The notice says “The whole subscriptions, after deducting the necessary working expenses, are devoted to the purchase of paintings, drawings, sculptures, engravings and other works of art, each member being entitled to the presentation work for the year of subscription and a share in the annual ballot of prizes. “
Henry Berlon joined the Lodge of Hope in Bradford in 1859 he was also secretary of the Mark Lodge for 20 years and later the Old York Lodge.
In May 1875 he was appointed as district agent for the London and Lancashire life Assurance Company. He is shown as being an Agent in the 1881 census. The Yorkshire Gazette 20th Oct 1888 reported that Henry Berlon, Commission Agent from Bradford had gone Bankrupt.
Henry died on 7th May 1891 at the age of 67. He may have not been the greatest businessman, or maybe he was just unlucky, but he did produce some fine photographs and he will be remembered for that reason.