On eBay Now...AGRICULTURAL SHOW GROUND TUNBRIDGE WELLS C1897 PHOTOGRAPH Magic Lantern Slide For Sale
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AGRICULTURAL SHOW GROUND TUNBRIDGE WELLS C1897 PHOTOGRAPH Magic Lantern Slide:
$20.31
AGRICULTURAL SHOW GROUND TUNBRIDGE WELLS C1897 PHOTOGRAPH Magic Lantern SlideFrom the collection of photographer Ambrose Godfrey Batting ( 1880 - 1971 )
Godfrey'sfather, Gilbert Batting MPS, ran the family chemist's shop at 98, The NewParade, Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells. A substantial business, there were sixassistants and they acted as wholesalers for the other chemist's shops in thetown. The shop also dealt in cameras and every kind of photographic anddarkroom equipment. When Godfrey was 10 years old his father had anaccident and was confined to a wheelchair. From then on, Godfrey and hisyounger brother Tom helped out as much as they could, until his father died in1916, when they both took over the shop; Godfrey was then 36. Godfrey and hisbrother Tom spent the rest of their lives living together as bachelors in alarge Victorian house at 69, Upper Grosvenor Road, also in Tunbridge Wells. Theywere both avid collectors, Godfrey of cameras and photographs and Tom ofpaintings and antiques. Godfrey was an active photographer as early as 1895 andwas still collecting cameras in the 1940s. He had an early interest in usingLumière Autochromes and appears to have followed developments in early colourphotography with interest. In 1930 he designed a Focusing Lens Holder, Patent345102, 1930-1931, with examples and associated paperwork included in thissale.
In due course, Godfrey became the HonorarySecretary of the Tunbridge Wells Amateur Photographic Association, laterHonorary Vice-President and Honorary Curator of the Tunbridge WellsPhotographic Record Section. Photography was the chosen hobby of the well-offlocal gentry. He knew many of the distinguished members, such as HenryPeach Robinson, Thomas Sims, Francis Smart, Joseph Chamberlain, who assistedFrancis Smart in his darkroom, and Ernest Ashton. He also knew Sir DavidSalomons, a renowned early proponent of domestic electric lighting and themotor car, whose wife was Patroness of the Association in the 1920s. It heldregular meetings at the various grand houses of the members in Tunbridge Wells,such as Bredbury, which belonged to Francis Smart. After dinner they would havelectures with shows of lantern slides.
Godfrey and his brother were very advanced in theirideas and believed in 'natural ' cures rather than chemicals. They were alsovery prescient in their dislike of modern inventions, such as washing-upliquid, that they said would kill all the fishes in the rivers. Although theyhad a bathroom in the house they believed hot baths were bad for you and washedevery day with a sponge and cold water. In short, they were classic,well-educated Victorian eccentrics.
←←←←←Our shop has over 25000photographicslides in it - please take a look for similar images←←←
Ref L433 N261Please be aware that as the slide can be photographed both sides the image may be reversed in error
*** International buyers please see my shop front for discounted combined postage rates *****
Please see our positive response about our packaging from our manyworldwidecustomers . We provide a bespoke packing service for all orders and for extra security high value slides as well as 3 or more slides are double boxed as standard. See photo 3.