married
married 8 June 1904 at St George's Church, Thames
reg. 1904/1059
Elizabeth Alice Court "Cissey"
only daughter of Eliza Pomfret and Alfred Court of Thames [1]
born 12 March 1881
died circa 1976, reg. 1976/48268
issue:
1. Vivien Joyce Bartlett born circa 1905, reg. 1905/15322, died circa 1967, reg. 1967/33862 aged 61 years.
2. Antony Bartlett born 1 January 1909, reg. 1909/2152 (architect), died 24 March 1993 reg. 1993/29313. Antony Bartlett with Tibor Donner were the designers of the Savage Memorial in Auckland.
3. Harcourt Bartlett born 24 October 1910, reg. 1910/16882 (architect), died circa 1986 reg. 1986/40979.
MR. ALFRED COURT. A well-known business man of Thames, Mr. Alfred Court, died there yesterday. He was seventy-one years of age, and was the youngest of the five brothers who were well known in Auckland. Mr. A. Court came to New Zealand after the rest of his brothers, and, like them, went into the drapery business.
Mr. Court was born at Bradley Green, near Reditch, Worcestershire, England, and was apprenticed to the drapery trade in Birmingham, and was afterwards in business there on his own account. He came to Auckland in 1896 and started a drapery establishment at Pollen Street, Thames. In recent years, Mr. Alfred Court, only son of deceased, has carried on the business. Mrs. Court survives her husband, and there is a daughter, Mrs. W. H. Bartleet (sic) of Stanley Point.
Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 251, 23 October 1925, Page 3
also see Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 101, 26 October 1925, Page 8
[1] Observer, Volume XXIII, Issue 2, 27 September 1902, Page 8
above - an unidentified mother and child
by Bartlett's Studio, Auckland.
Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 54, 5 March 1895, Page 8
Waikato Times, 6 July 1895, Page 8
The assistant R. H. Bartlett is probably William's brother Robert Herbert Bartlett rather than his father Robert Henry Bartlett.
Waikato Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3628, 3 October 1895, Page 4
We direct attention to the advertisement of Mr W. H. Bartlett, photographer, Auckland. Mr Bartlett has found it necessary to move into larger and more commodious premises, situated in Queen street, a fact which speaks volumes for the high-class work turned out by him.
Waikato Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3628, 3 October 1895, Page 4
Observer, Volume XV, Issue 888, 4 January 1896, Page 6
Bay Of Plenty Times, Volume XXII, Issue 3441, 26 August 1896, Page 5
To Fred from Ethel
Taken December 1898
age 14 January 99
Age 19 December 98
At the photographic studio of Mr W. H. Bartlett, Queen Street, may be seen a life size picture in oil of Mr G. S. Graham, which is a fine specimen of artistic work. The picture was presented to Mr Graham by the members of the Auckland Provincial District Grand Lodge E.C. of Freemasons upon his voluntary retirement from the position of Grand Master. In the picture Mr Graham is depicted in the full regalia of that office.
Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 166, 19 July 1897, Page 2
(at the Industrial and Mining Exhibition 1898)
BARTLETT'S PHOTOS.
No more beautiful display of the results of the photographer's art, has been made in Auckland than the collection of photographs exhibited by Mr W. H. Bartlett, of Queen-street.
This exhibit is to be seen on the extreme left of the first row in Third Court as one enters, and it is certainly a most creditable and attractive show. There are some beautiful art studies, pretty girls in attractive poses, and life size portraits of leading Auckland citizens.
The toning and general finish of the pictures are triumphs of artistic photography, and no more charming pictures of the sort could be produced anywhere. This exhibit attracts universal admiration, especially the excellent portraits of several Auckland ladies shown.
Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 289, 7 December 1898, Page 2
Mr W. H. Bartlett, who is operating the camera for taking animated pictures for Mr A. H. Whitehouse, has taken a photograph of the contest and Uhlan winning the Auckland Cup at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. It is stated that a very successful picture has been the result. Over 1250 photographs,comprise the whole scene, showing the horses galloping up the straight and flashing past the judge's box; also the winner being led up and weighed in, and the surging crowd on the grandstand. A diversion is caused by the excited owner of the winner rushing on to the course and the efforts to restrain him.
Mr Whitehouse will have the scene on exhibition for two nights only, also giving short performances of kinematograph items and phonograph selections, in the vestibule at rear of Mr Bartlett.'s studio Queen-street.
Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 308, 30 December 1898, Page 4
Mr J. A. Clark, who for the past four years has been in the employ of Mr W. H. Bartlett, photographer, has commenced business in the studio formerly occupied by Mr J. A. Slack, in Queen street. Mr Clark has had a wide experience in Canada, and will doubtless afford every satisfaction to his customers.
Observer, Volume XVIII, Issue 1085, 14 October 1899, Page 16
Mr. W. H. Bartlett, the well-known art photographer of this city, returned yesterday from an extended tour of the Australian colonies. By combining business with pleasure, Mr. Bartlett has been enabled to acquire all the latest novelties in photographic art that were obtainable. Mr. Bartlett state he has obtained all the latest improvement in modern apparatus, accessories, etc., which go towards producing pretty pictures and truthful portraits.
New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11252, 22 December 1899, Page 3
Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11785, 31 March 1900, Page 2
The public will have an opportunity this evening of inspecting Mr W. H. Bartlett's studio, which has just been opened in Veale's Buildings, Devon-street. The show cases contain a splendid variety of photographs of all descriptions, and give an excellent idea of the high class work turned out by the firm in question. The black and white work and enlarged photographs are particularly good, included among the latter being a splendid likeness of the Hon. R. J. Seddon in full Masonic Grand Lodge regalia.
No expense has been spared in fitting up the premises. The studio is splendidly lighted, and all the accessories for the production of first-class work are present. The dressing-room is also nicely furnished, and the operating room is conveniently situated. The business is in charge of Mr W. Bayne, whose 17 years' experience in the profession is a sufficient guarantee that all orders entrusted to his care will be faithfully and satisfactorily carried out.
Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11790, 7 April 1900, Page 2
reverse inscribed "Herbert Burch"
W. BARTLETT.
ART PHOTOGRAPHER, QUEEN
STREET.
The
development of the photographic art within the last decade has been
wonderful. It is now freely acknowledged that to take photographs
successfully demands not only high training, but care, perfect taste,
and artistic instinct.
At
the Auckland Industrial and Mining Exhibition, 1898-1899, there was, of
course, the usual dissatisfaction created with respect to the
presentation of awards and gold medals, but the exhibit of a fine
collection of photographs put in by Mr. W. Bartlett received a first
award and gold medal, together with the undoubted confirmation of art
connoisseurs, and the warm approval of a pleased public.To many
Aucklanders the excellence of this display came as a surprise. It was so
rich in merit and in variety that even tourists from the Old World were
attracted to it, and caused to marvel at the rapid development in these
colonies not only of industries but of art itself.
The
well-known business under review was established nearly forty years
ago, but was not taken over by Mr. Bartlett until 1894. From the early
age of fifteen up to the present time Mr. Bartlett has been an
enthusiast in photography. Industry and intense love of his work have
been the two principal causes that have contributed so much towards
establishing Mr. Bartlett in the foremost ranks of Australasian
photographers. In point of merit he ranks with Talma, of Melbourne, and
Falk, of Sydney.
Photography
within recent years has undergone a marked change. In times gone by the
majority of people who entered a studio were animated by one desire,
and that was to have a faithful likeness taken at least, that was always
said. To-day, the love for the beautiful has grown so that the
photographer is called upon by nearly all who visit him to do something
more, to produce the realistic in an artistic picture. The task now
before the artist is more difficult to perform. Some photographers are
capable of taking only likenesses, others only pictures! Very few are
able, however, unless the subject is exceptional, to combine the
faithful resemblance with the artistic.
Of this modern phase of photography New Zealand has no better exponent than Mr. Bartlett.
The
studio he occupies in Queen-street is splendidly adapted for carrying
on first-class work. It embraces three storeys, and the visitor to this
"Hall of Art" sees much that interests and charms. In the vestibule are
some splendid specimens of Mr. Bartlett's work. In one case there is a
series of portraits of two actresses well known to Auckland taken in
simple costume, Miss Nellie Borthwick as "The Dancing Girl," Miss Hettie
Harmston as "The Spanish Dancing Girl.'' Miss Maud Beattie as Madame
Hilarius, in "La Poupee," and Mr. Charles Carter as Lancelot, in "La
Poupee," make charming pictures, and serve to show Mr. Bartlett's
ability for bringing out details in costumes, in posing his figures,
and, more important still, for vitalising his work.
The
portraits in the various cases evince rare skill on the part of the
photographer. Every little characteristic, the brightness of the eye,
and the creeping smile, seems to have been caught just at the precise
moment. A noteworthy feature of the collection is the number of striking
likenesses of wellknown Auckland personages which figure in it.
Prominent is one of Dr. Lewis. Many beautiful pictures of children
displayed, are equally deserving of notice.
Photographs
of wedding, family, and other social groups, usually so stiff-looking,
have been admirably taken by Mr. Bartlett, whose forte evidently
embraces every branch of the art. He makes a speciality of enlargements!
That of the Right. Hon. R. J. Seddon attracted attention for many a
long day; it was without doubt the best portrait we have seen of the
Strong Man of the Pacific.
Upstairs
a glance is obtained behind the scenes. Three ladies here attend to
clients. There is a reception room, ladies' dressing room, together with
other conveniences, provided, ,so ,that anyone arriving from the
country is able to "brush up" before entering the studio to be
photographed. Extensive alterations are here being made; rooms are being
refurnished and decorated, and a corridor leading direct from the
ladies' room to the studio has also been provided for, which should be a
most pleasing arrangement for the fair sex.
Particular
attention has been given by Mr. Bartlett to the studio. The skylights,
fitted with different coloured blinds, give absolute control over the
light. In order to have really artistic backgrounds, Mi. Bartlett has
gone, to considerable expense in importing several fine paintings
designed and painted by the famous artist, Mr. L. W. Seavey, for this
particular purpose. The furniture, embracing a handsome leather chair of
the Chippendale pattern, and a magnificent Swiss carved oak table and
chair, etc., is in perfect harmony with the other decorations.
On
the second floor are the furnishing rooms, or dark-room, where several
young ladies are busy touching up the photographs. The principal part of
the work is, however, done by expert craftsmen. Next to be seen is a
staff of the fair sex very much occupied in mounting and getting ready
to despatch the prints to clients as they are received from the process
rooms.
Where
the large stock is kept is a delightfully cool place, and Mr. Bartlett,
in order to ensure his goods being opened up in proper condition, has
gone to the expense of putting down a stone floor and in providing other
fittings such as have been warranted by the very large business he
does.
All
negatives are numbered by Mr. Bartlett, so that if any of his customers
come down upon him ten or fifteen years hence for copies they will not
be disappointed. Naturally Mr. Bartlett takes every precaution in
selecting his appliances and materials to see that he gets the very best
in the market, for his large clientele are highly critical.
In
New Plymouth, Mr. Bartlett has opened a branch studio, which he has
fitted with all the accessories for first-class work. Photographs are
taken here, but the retouching and printing are done in Auckland.
Thirteen employees are kept going throughout the year by Mr. Bartlett.
Every photographer pins his faith to a particular process, and makes a specialty
of it. Mr. Bartlett is no exception to this rule. In black and white,
or in the bromide production of his photographs, he has made an
undoubted success of, as anyone visiting his studio will quickly testify
to.
New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11487, 26 September 1900, Page 4
The Duchess of Cornwall and York has just forwarded a letter to Mr W. H. Bartlett, the well-known photographer, of Queen-street, expressing Her Royal Highness's appreciation of the excellent photographs he obtained of the Royal party at Government House, Auckland.
This is the only picture taken here, by appointment, of Their Royal Highnesses, and goes to show the estimation in which Mr Bartlett is held as an artist. There is no branch of art more progressive than that of photography, and Mr Bartlett has for the past four or five years been working and experimenting on his new sepia process, which he has now brought to absolute perfection, as far as we can judge compared with the old process of simple black ahd white, the sepia portraits are warm and exquisitely delicate in half tone, with clear, rich shadows.
We should think that they most become 'the rage." Mr Bartlett's Studio, reception rooms, etc., have been recently re-furnished and decorated in a most luxurious style, to meet the requirements of the most fastidious.
Observer, Volume XXI, Issue 1175, 6 July 1901, Page 8
Mr W. H. Bartlett, of Auckland and New Plymouth, has been appointed photographer to his Excellency the Governor.
Taranaki Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 11766, 13 September 1901, Page 2
"Joe Laing & family" 
Brown Shield Representatives
