1870s Gallery
A gallery of portraits taken during the 1870s by Leeds and Bradford photographers. To determine the date of each photo the address has been used which is printed on the back or front of the photograph and compared with the database of studio addresses which itself has been compiled from local directory information and newspaper articles/advertising.
I make no excuse for including many of the Albert Sachs permanent chromotype portraits which were produced during the late 1870s and early 1880s. They have not only shown themselves to be truly permanent but they are excellent examples of portraiture. You will notice that compared with the 1860s three quarter length and head and shoulders portraits are much more popular now than full length portraits. Fashions have changed of course since the 1860s but this didn't happen overnight and some 1870s portraits are still reminiscent of earlier times.
A new method of production had emerged during this decade and this is the raised cameo portrait. The last three examples on this page are of this type. Besides Hanson and Smith, Albert Sachs also uses this technique.
The most striking images are those in profile and from the Albert Sachs examples shown here you just get the feeling that he was experimenting with different sitting positions in order to bring out the best in his sitters, not something that is too evident in the examples from the other studios.
The 1870s saw a move away from using the painted backdrop and this might have been just a sign of the times or the fact that more close ups were being taken where a painted backdrop would become less relevant.
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Portraits by Albert Sachs
20 Manningham Lane Bradford
1877 - 1881
More examples of Permanent Chromotypes from the Sachs studios
Three fashionable ladies of the time again by Sachs
As compared with the Chromotype portraits it must be said that these three have not survived as well but considering they are approaching 150 years old they have retained their finest detail and have suffered little from the ravages of time. Notice the eyes in each of the three portraits and how this affects the look and feel.
Portraits by James Hertz of Bradford and William Smith of Leeds
James Hertz
11 Lumb Lane
Bradford
1875-1881
and William Smith
Park Lane and Commercial Street
Leeds
1870-1878
Two portraits by Sladen and the third by Timothy Robinson of Thornton.
A worried look from both mother and child. One wonders why Robinson hasn't tried to get the sitters in a more relaxed position and state of mind. But perhaps the child just didn't want to be there and stand still for a few moments.
John Sladen
Cookridge Street, Leeds
1870-1881
Timothy Robinson
Hill Top
Thornton
1871-1893
Now here are children who are much more relaxed. Hanson and Smith have managed to get them to sit still for just a few minutes and a quite different family group by Robinson. The mother still looks quite worried but with five kids who wouldn't be.
The young lad in the second portrait is not only keeping his hand and head still by resting his head in this position but he looks quite thoughtful. It is not known who he was but you never know he may have turned out to be a young Einstein.
William Hanson
Great George Street, Leeds
1866-1894
Three more fashionable ladies this time by Sladen, Hertz and William Turner
William Turner
40 Albion Street
Leeds
1870-1878
Portraits by Smith of Leeds and two by Edmund Passingham of Hustlergate Bradford.
Edmund Passingham
Hustlergate
Bradford
1873-75
Portraits by Robinson, W G Thompson of Shipley and George Rushforth of Godwin Street, Bradford
William Grant Thompson
Saltaire Road Shipley
1875-1881
George Rushforth
Godwin Street
Bradford
1872
Three studious looking gents by Newell and Milner, Hertz and Doidge & Co.
The first gent has a ring on his finger. It is not known what this signifies but it obvious that it is of some significance.
The gent in the third photo is holding a scroll and this is probably a certificate of achievement or an award. The portrait may have been taken so as to remember and celebrate the event.
Doidge & Co
Drewton Street
1871
Three portraits by Marsden, Turner and Huggins all using a red border as a form of highlight and finish. This is quite a common sight in 1870s portraits but you would think that Marsden would have taken a little more care with his trimming, unless he had taken on an apprentice !
William Marsden
Dewhirst Buildings
Manchester Road, Bradford
1870-1872
Three cameo portraits, a rather haphazard or tricky method of mounting it would seem with none lining up with the actual photograph. Portraits by Hanson and Smith. To achieve this effect the card mount is placed in a 'cameo press' and as a result the photograph itself is raised and produces a cameo effect.
