MANNING, Charles Henry

Charles Henry Manning

born circa 1848 England
died on 10 September 1895 at Christchurch, New Zealand
aged 47 years

an unidentified couple

Mrs. C. H. Manning (Emma Louise) Melbourne photo-colourist (nee Noble) who married photographer Charles Henry Manning (q.v.) at Moonta in April 1875. Later that year her husband and Stephen Nixon (q.v.) moved into Townsend Duryea’s studio in King William Street, Adelaide, where she became the studio’s artist in watercolours. She was described as a ‘skilful lady artist’ when an enlarged portrait of the late Mrs R.D. Ross she had coloured was displayed at the studio in 1876. - R.J. Noye, 22 June 1998 - archived by the Art Gallery of South Australia

Charles Manning purchased the studio formerly occupied by Peter Schourup at 150 Colombo Street, Christchurch in July 1887. Peter Schourup had died at the studio situated opposite E. Reese & Sons six months previously. He announced in The Star on 28 July 1887 the purchase:

C. H. MANNING PHOTOGRAPHER

By command to their Royal Highnesses The Princes Albert Victor and George of Wales, and also by special appointment to His Excellency Sir W.P.D. Jervois, &c. Wishes to notify to the Public that he HAS PURCHASED from the Executors THAT OLD-ESTABLISHED PHOTOGRAPHER'S BUSINESS recently carried on by the late Mr P. Schourup, 150, COLOMBO STREET SOUTH. Mr Manning having had sixteen years' experience in the art part of which time he was engaged by those eminent artists, Messrs Hughes Bros., of Madras, India, Messrs Johnston, O'Shaunessy and Co., Melbourne, and Messrs Tuttle and Co., Sydney, can thoroughly guarantee all work executed by himself.

Proofs of all portraits taken at the Studio will be submitted to the sitter for approval, and, if not approved, a re-sitting will be arranged for until satisfaction is given. Mr Manning also wishes to state that for ONE MONTH ONLY he will PRESENT to the Sitter who orders One Dozen Enamelled Cabinet Photographs, A MAGNIFICENT IVORY TYPE
PAINTING, Cabinet Size, framed, value £2 2s, and to each person who orders One Dozen Enamelled Carte de Visites he will present an IVORY TYPE, Value 30s.

Mr. Manning has engaged that Eminent Artist Professor P. A. BROOKES, whose abilities are well known to the public, to execute the work. This, as will be seen, is a genuine present. Specimens of the Ivory Types on view at the Studio. During Mr Manning's long experience, he has made a PARTICULAR STUDY of PHOTOGRAPHING CHILDREN and BABIES, and has no hesitation in saying that he is confident of giving entire satisfaction to parents and relations.

ARTISTICALLY FINISHED CABINET PHOTOGRAPHS, 25s Per Doz. CARTE DE VISITES, 15s Per Doz.

Residences, &c., photographed by appointment. Price List of other work to be seen at the Studio. C. H. MANNING, 150, COLOMBO STREET SOUTH. (Late Operator and Finisher to Messrs George and Walton). - Star , Issue 5991, 28 July 1887, Page 2.




Early the following year he announced a large reduction in prices:

REVOLUTION.

C. H. MANNING, Photographer, NOW OFFERS THE PUBLIC an opportunity of OBTAINING GUARANTEED HIGH-CLASS PHOTOGRAPHIC WORK at prices compatible with the times. From the 1st of January, 1888, he will issue Cabinet Photographs at 15s per dozen, and C.D.V.'s at 7s 6d per dozen. All work guaranteed. Every sitter must be satisfied, or no charge made. Note the address: C. H. MANNING, (Late Schourup), 150, COLOMBO STREET.


Later in 1888 he advertised a house to let:
Wanted to let, eight roomed house, 175 Worcester street, next Canterbury Club. Apply, C. H. Manning, Photographer. - Star , Issue 6232, 8 May 1888, Page 3

below: a notice from The Star in 1888.

Star , Issue 6378, 25 October 1888, Page 2

In February 1889 he photographed Rear-Admiral Fairfax the commanding officer of the Australian Squadron. - The Star, Issue 6477, 21 February 1889, Page 3.

Star , Issue 6483, 28 February 1889, Page 3

In September 1888 he photographed the Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch:
The Right Rev Dr Grimes. — It is not often that a photographer has such an opportunity for producing effective pictures as Mr C. H. Manning has recently had. This is the "taking" of the Right Rev Dr Grimes, Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch. The Right Rev Prelate is taken in his episcopal robes, such as he wears when taking part in grand functions, as also in the less sumptuous cassock, rochet, and pallium. The photographs are in various sizes, from "panels" downwards, and no doubt will be in great demand, especially among the members of his Lordship's flock. - Star , Issue 6660, 27 September 1889, Page 3

He later added to his newspaper adverts that he had photographed the King of Siam (while in India) Sir Anthony Musgrave, Sir William Robinson, Sir F. Broome and the elite of Australia and New Zealand. - The Star, Issue 6714, 29 November 1889, Page 1

Thomas Parry was employed as a photographer for Manning - The Star, Issue 6987, 16 October 1890, page 3

Following damage to Eden George's studio in 1890 the photographers Charles Manning, Carl Gerstenkorn and Robert Meers were implicated by George in the brake in, however it was suspected that Eden George had done the damage himself to discredit the other photographers.

He photographed 35 staff members of The Star and Lyttelton Times newspapers in 1891 - "all excellent specimens of the photographer's art, and quite equal to the usual high class of work turned out from Mr Manning's studio ..." The Star, Issue 7111, 12 March 1891, Page 3

The Star, Issue 4532, 30 December 1892, Page 2

Will some kind friend let Mr C. H. Manning, photographer of Christchurch, know how many people he is sending mad. He is a nice sort of fellow, and a good photographer, and I'm sure he doesn't mean to do it. Perhaps he subscribes to the S.P.C.A.

He can't be cruel; and yet how very many people whom he is driving towards Sunnyside are thinking him the most adjective wretch on the face of the globe.

And 'it's all along o' those early Colonists of Canterbury.' How long is he to have that awful collection in his window. I have to pass it often and every time a hideous fascination draws me to gaze on those simpering, scowling, inane faces. As specimens of art they're excellent; as samples of humanity — Oh Lord — they are awful. Men I know in town as clever accountants there appear as grinning donkeys. Good husbands and kind fathers show there behind masks of sullenness almost amounting to brutality. One or two shrewd hard headed farmers surely must have been caught after having not only wetted but thoroughly soaked a good bar gain in grain.

Even the worthy Dean of Christchurch looks more as perhaps he did at that first Jockey Club ball at the Golden Fleece, than as we now like to see our loved and respected Very Rev. For the credit of the Settlement my friends urge Mr Manning to pass on the crowd. For the peace of their progeny in mercy hide those awful pictures of their illustrious fathers.

Onslow may grin, Meath look harmless, and even a bishop look a trifle inflated, and no one be any the worse. But for goodness sake let us remember the men and women who did glorious work in the foundation of our Settlement, as we have seen them at their honest, kindly earnest work, and not in their 'Sunday clothes' smiling painfully at nothing and trying to look wise.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XII, Issue 1152, 27 May 1893, Page 3

INTERPROVINCIAL. Auckland, May 22. Charles Henry Manning of Christchurch, was charged with damaging shop cases and easels belonging to Wrigglesworth and Binns. The solicitor for the informant did not offer any evidence, and the case was dismissed. Manning arrived here on Sunday from Sydney and intended proceeding south yesterday but was arrested on the wharf. - Timaru Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 5972, 23 May 1894, Page 3

SUICIDE. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH. September 11.
C. H. Manning, photographer, was found dead on a couch in his studio this morning. An empty bottle, which had contained nitrate of silver, was on the table. No reason is assigned for the deed, but pieces of cardboard, on which memos. were written, indicate that be was not in his right mind. - Papers Past - Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 3109, 11 September 1895, Page 2



A Christchurch Photographer Poisons Himself. [by telegraph — Press Association Christchurch, This Day]
At 8 o'clock this morning C. H. Manning the well-known photographer, was found lying dead on a couch in his studio. An empty bottle which had contained nitrate of silver, a medicine glass, and a bottle containing whiskey, were found on the table. At present no reason is assigned for the rash deed, but pieces of cardboard upon which memos. were written clearly indicate that he was not altogether right in his mind. Manning succeeded to the business of the late P. Schourup, whose death in the same place was also surrounded by painful circumstances.
Papers Past - Evening Post, Volume L, Issue 63, 11 September 1895, Page 3

Charles Manning was buried in Linwood Cemetery, Christchurch

on 11 September 1895, block number 23, plot number 55 .
Christchurch City Council Cemeteries Database

Following his death his widow Emma Manning carried on the studio under the name of C. H. Manning & Co., with Leonard Appleby as Managing Partner.

The Star, Issue 5385, 11 October 1895, Page 2

He married Emma Louisa Noble, a son Lionel Walter Manning was a photographer in Invercargill in 1899 and later in Wellington. Another son, Charles Henry Noble Manning who was born in Adelaide, South Australia about 1882 was married in Christchurch in 1905 to Clara Annette Revill.

The photographer W. B. Fabling was an assistant to C. H. Manning and Co. before setting up his own studio. - Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XX, Issue 2051, 13 May 1899, Page 3

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume XLIV, Issue 2271, 31 May 1898, Page 3
In 1898 Standish and Preece purchased the negatives of Charles Henry Manning.

Christchurch City Council Cemeteries Database
Christchurch Public Library, church record transcripts.
Auckland City Libraries - Photographers Database.

above - William Jacques

14 April 2012