Early New Zealand Photographers: August 2015

SEARLE, Roland James

Roland James Searle
born 21 August 1904, New Zealand, reg. 1904/16450
son of James Searle [1] and Minnie Adeline Tattle
died 1984 reg. 1984/48987

Family - Roland James Searle was a grandson of George Tattle the Superintending Overseer at the Government Printing Office [2]. His aunt Rosina Ann Tattle was married to Sir Charles John Boyd Norwood, businessman and Mayor of Wellington from 1925 to 1927; his cousin was Sir Walter Norwood. In 1920 his uncle Arthur Herbert Tattle was killed in Sydney while attempting to photograph an aeroplane as it was taking off [3].

see Wellington by R. J. Searle - http://rjsearle.blogspot.co.nz/

Lake Ianthe by Roland James Searle
blind-stamped R. J. Searle

Lake Matheson, Fox Glacier, Mount Tasman and Mount Cook (pointed)
blind-stamped R. J. Searle

Franz Josef Glazier by R. J. Searle
photo courtesy of Jeff Long

"WHERE DOES THAT SMOKE GO?"
reverse inscribed "Sec 307"

"GO TO SLEEP, DOGGIE"
reverse inscribed "Sec 203"

Prize List
Manawatu A. and P. Association's Show 1929 - Amateurs, 1st prize for Animal life, R. J. Searle.
Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 112, 7 November 1929, Page 23

Wellington Camera Club March 1930 - Senior section, genre study (picture telling a story), 3rd prize, Mr. R. J. Searle.
Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 69, 22 March 1930, Page 13

Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Show 1930 - Open Class, 2nd prize for Animal study, R. J. Searle (Wellington).
Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 110, 6 November 1930, Page 22

Wellington Camera Club November 1930 - Street Scene, 3rd prize.
Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 124, 22 November 1930, Page 7

Wellington Camera Club February 1931 - Landscape, 3rd prize.
(Messrs. Boyer, Peart and Johnson constructively criticised the pictures.)
Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 45, 23 February 1931, Page 5.

Wellington Camera Club March 1931 - Mr R. J. Searle spoke on double toning, with special reference to Zoo photography.
Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 56, 7 March 1931, Page 6

Waikato Winter Show 1931, Amateur Photography, senior division, over 20 years - landscape photo, 3rd prize.
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20884, 28 May 1931, Page 14

Wellington Winter Show 1931, Amateur Classes, Animal study, 2nd and 3rd prize; Any subject, 2nd prize; Kodak special prize, 3rd prize.
Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 52, 29 August 1931, Page 15

Wellington Camera Club, October 1931, his picture "Impudence" was one of three Animal studies selected to be sent to the Auckland Art Gallery.
Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 89, 12 October 1931, Page 5

Wellington Camera Club, October 1931, Animal Study, A section, 2nd prize.
Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 102, 27 October 1931, Page 3

Auckland A. and P. Show 1932, Senior division, landscape photo, 2nd prize; seashore, river or lake, 2nd prize; shipping study, 1st prize.
Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1932, Page 5

National Dairy Show, Palmerston North, 1932, Amateur Classes, animal study, 1st and 2nd prize.
Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 141, 16 June 1932, Page 7

Wellington Winter Show, 1932, Open Classes, landscape, 2nd prize; Amateur Class, animal study, very highly commended; still life, 3rd prize; any subject, 1st prize.
Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 148, 24 June 1932, Page 11

Auckland Winter Show, Best Photograph of High Speed Work, 2nd prize; animal study, 1st prize and very highly commended.
Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 164, 13 July 1932, Page 3

Wellington Camera Club 1932, animal study, A Section, 3rd prize;
Mr. R. J. Searle gave many valuable hints to animal photographers, illustrating his points by means of a selection of photographs of his own taking. Any camera was suitable to take pets with; for zoo work a reflex was more suitable. In zoo photography, cage and bar shadows should be avoided. With ordinary equipment and little trouble, one could obtain a very fine range of subjects.
Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 46, 23 August 1932, Page 14

Wellington Camera Club October 1932, Still life A Section, 1st and 3rd prize.
Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 98, 22 October 1932, Page 5

Auckland A. and P. Show 1933, shipping study, 3rd prize.
Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 47, 25 February 1933, Page 12

Wellington Easter Show 1933, Amateur Classes, landscape 2nd prize; animal 1st and 3rd prizes; still life, 2nd and 3rd prizes.
Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 84, 10 April 1933, Page 9

CAMERA CLUB.
Mr. Denton presided over the fortnightly meeting of the Camera Club, when an "animal study" competition was held. The result of the voting was as follows:—
A section: Mr. J. W. Johnson, 1 and 2; Mr. Ian L. Powell, 3.
B section: Mr. L. Powell, 1.
C section: Mr. C. S. Smith.

Mr. R. J. Searle read a paper on "Animal Photography," dealing principally with zoo photography and the photography of domestic pets, illustrating his remarks by means of numerous examples of his own work. The competition entries were also briefly criticised by Mr. Searle. "Railway Photography" was next dealt with by Mr. Searle, and this being somewhat out of the usual run, was listened to with close attention. The various photographs displayed showed what could be done in this direction. At the conclusion, Mr. Searle was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.
Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 19, 22 July 1933, Page 6

A quiet wedding took place at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. G. Tattle, on Wednesday last [5 August 1903] , when their eldest daughter (Minnie) was married to Mr. James Searle, the well-known tenor singer, of this city. Miss Florence Tattle (sister of the bride) acted as bridesmaid, and Mr. T. J. Tattle officiated as best man. The bride wore her travelling costume, with hat to match. The Rev. W. C. Oliver performed the ceremony. The happy pair left by the afternoon train for the West Coast, to spend their honeymoon. In the evening a large number of friends assembled to do honour to the occasion.

Free Lance, Volume IV, Issue 163, 15 August 1903, Page 10

Party Given by Sons
A party for Mrs. M. A. Searle was arranged for her recently by her sons, Messrs. Rowland and George Searle, to enable immediate relatives and close friends to welcome her home after her two years' visit to Europe and Britain. The party was held at James Smith's tea rooms, which were beautifully decorated with delphiniums, love-in-the-mist, pink carnations, and bronze foliage.

Mrs. Searle wore a smart navy blue and white costume. Those present were Lady Norwood, Mrs. E. J. Bethell and Miss Marjorie Bethell, Mesdames Len George, Walter Norwood, C. W. Mack, R. W. Atkinson, W. H. Gledhill, John Murray, B. Sutherland, Arthur Mack, J. R. Hocking, and Reay McKay.

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 145, 16 December 1938, Page 14

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 24, 28 July 1942, Page 1

[1] Mr. James Searle, who has been well known in local business and musical circles for many years past, died at his residence in Pirie street yesterday. The late Mr. Searle was born at Plymouth 55 years ago. He settled at Gisborne at an early age, but later removed to Wellington, where he has since been engaged, until his illness, as a commercial traveller. For about 20 years he was a member of the choir at St. Paul's Pro-cathedral, and he was also a member of the Liedertafel and of other organisations. He is survived by his widow, two sons, and a daughter.
Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 106, 1 November 1926, Page 11

Died 31 October 1926 at this residence 71 Pirie Street, Wellington in his 55th year.

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 106, 1 November 1926, Page 1

[2] http://www.familytreecircles.com/george-tattle-oldest-living-native-of-wellington-in-1917-55395.html

[3] The Sydney Morning Herald, 11 September 1920 page 13

National Portrait Gallery

Princess Street

Dunedin

ISAACS, Jacob Nathan

Jacob Nathan Isaacs

Victoria Studio, Manners Street, Wellington

succeeded Victoria Studio 1903

succeeded by Joseph Zachariah about 1910

Jacob Nathan Isaacs born 30 August 30, 1877 Wellington, New Zealand [1], reg. 1877/7358, son of Nathaniel John Isaacs [2] and Kate Levi, died 23 December 23 1961 Tauranga, New Zealand [1], aged 85 years, reg. 1962/44547, married 28 April 1915 Katoomba, Australia [1], Lily Oldershaw Robertson [1], born 27 March 1877 Waltham Abbey, Essex, England [1], died 1 November 1966 [1]. His parents Nathaniel [or Nathan] John Isaacs and Kate Levi married on 30 December 1874 at the residence of the bride's parents, George Street North, Dunedin by the Rev. I. Zacariah (sic).

Nathan J. Isaacs second son of the Rev. J. M. Isaacs to Kate eldest daughter of Mr Daniel Levi, late of Sydney.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1534, 12 January 1875, Page 2.

Nathan John Isaacs died 24 February 1888 at his residence Boulcott Street, Wellington aged 40 years, reg. 1888/728.

Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 45, 24 February 1888, Page 2

Kate Isaacs died circa 1924 aged 72 years, reg. 1924/5848

[1] Descendants of Myer Samuel Isaacs - http://www.isaacs-salant-familytree.org/isaacsgen4.htm

[2] or Nathan John Isaacs

Mr. J. N. Isaacs returned last week by the R.M.S. Suevic from England, where he has been studying photography for the past three years. Mr. Isaacs has been in some of the best studios in London, and has brought out all the latest plant and ideas with him. Be has purchased the Victoria Studio in Manners street, which he is having renovated and refurnished throughout. He makes a special study of children's photographs.

Evening Post, Volume LXV, Issue 41, 18 February 1903, Page 5

Evening Post, Volume LXV, Issue 50, 28 February 1903, Page 3

Mr. J. N. Isaacs, who has been away to England for three years, learning all that is new in the art of photography, has acquired great skill in the most modern methods. He particularly strives to produce natural results, and there is an absence of stolidity about his subjects that does credit to his training. He is remarkably successful in obtaining good results in child photography, and already the Victoria Studio, in Manners-street, has many patrons who eulogise his skill.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 141, 14 March 1903, Page 8

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 151, 23 May 1903, Page 12
(this notice first appeared in the Free Lance on 21 February 1903)

Free Lance, Volume V, Issue 227, 5 November 1904, Page 11

I have pleasure in announcing that I have purchased from Messrs. Wrigglesworth and Binns the whole of their negatives, and am now prepared to supply copies to original sitters. These portraits will be supplied in the latest and most up-to-date styles. J. N. Isaacs, Victoria Studio, Manners street.

Free Lance, Volume V, Issue 261, 1 July 1905, Page 8

unknown children, possibly with the surname of Brown photographed by J. N. Isaacs

A branch studio has been opened at Newtown by Mr. J. N. Isaacs, photographer, of Manners-street, in premises erected by Messrs. Pearce and Co., Ltd., in Riddiford-street. The studio is up-to-date, possessing both natural and artificial light, enabling photographs to be taken at night as well as in the day, Mr. Isaacs is personally conducting the branch business.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 144, 18 June 1908, Page 8

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 117, 13 November 1909, Page 6

Creditors in the bankrupt estate of Jacob Nathan Isaacs, photographer, met in the rooms of the Official Assignee this morning. The bankrupt stated that he commenced business in Manners street about eight years ago, purchasing a studio for £275.

For a number of years the business showed a profit, and in 1907 he obtained a seven years' lease of premises in Newtown, and expended a considerable sum in fitting up a branch studio there. This enterprise turned out a complete failure, and to the continued depression and consequent loss of trade in Manners street, he attributed his present position.

The liabilities totalled £980 - unsecured, £870; secured, £110. The estimated value of securities was £629. The final reckoning left a deficiency of £320 14s 9d. It was decided to invite tenders for the stock as a going concern.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 126, 24 November 1909, Page 8

Yesterday the employees of Mr. J. N. Isaacs (who is leaving Wellington) met to bid him farewell, and presented him with a handsome gold sovereign case.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 770, 19 March 1910, Page 4

KINSEY, William Henry Scott

William Henry Scott Kinsey
Wellington
about 1892 to 1925

also see
Partington and Kinsey
Price & Co.

born circa 1860

died 21 April 1931 at Wellington aged 71 [1]

buried Soldier's Cemetery, Karori South.

married firstly 10 February 1886

Amy Ada Sophia Weiss

daughter of Emily Weiss

died 13 June 1903 of pneumonia aged 35 years [2]

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 94, 22 April 1931, Page 2

Daily Telegraph, Issue 3011, 18 February 1881, Page 3

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7069, 14 July 1884, Page 1

Previously in partnership until 1884 with W. H. T. Partington as Partington and Kinsey.

Evening Post, Volume XLIV, Issue 69, 19 September 1892, Page 3

Some admirable samples of photographic work are to be seen in the studio of Mr. W. Kinsey, of Lambton-quay, one of the photographers to His Excellency the Governor. Chief amongst them are large-sized portraits of His Excellency, of a lady in bridal costume, a "sitter" in the character of Romeo," some large groups of footballers, and a portrait of Mr. E. Tennyson Smith, the Temperance advocate, with Mrs. Smith and the members of their local committee.

Several oil paintings from Mr. Kinsey's brush, opals, permanent enlargements, &c, are also on view. Recently Mr. Kinsey has materially improved the interior of his premises, the reception room in particular having been very effectively decorated by Mr. Emil B. Muller, a German decorative artist. The room is comfortably appointed for visitors, and contains in addition to samples of the various classes of work done on the premises a piano, music, journals of art, &c.

Evening Post, Volume XLIV, Issue 71, 21 September 1892, Page 2

Argument was taken by Mr. Justice Edwards to-day in reference to a case in which Amy Kinsey seeks to compel her husband, Wm. Scott Kinsey, to carry out an agreement to sell her his interest in a photographic business on Lambton-quay for £300. The form of to-day's phase of the matter was a summons on the part of the defendant calling upon plaintiff to show whether there was any legal cause of action disclosed. Mr. Wilford appeared for the plaintiff and Mr. Campbell for the defendant. His Honour, after hearing argument, decided that there was an acceptance of the defendant's offer to sell, that the subsequent paragraph in the letter to the plaintiff was a paragraph which in his opinion was a mere notification, and did not impose any new condition. The summons was therefore dismissed, with £10 10s costs to Mrs. Kinsey.

Evening Post, Volume LIV, Issue 55, 2 September 1897, Page 6

The premises on Lambton-quay, nearly opposite the head of Grey-street, at present occupied by Mr. Kinsey, photographer, are to be removed in order to make room for the station in connection with the High Levels Tramway. Mr. Kinsey intends to carry on his business on the two upper floors of the three story building which Mr. C. H. Dryden is about to build for Messrs. G. and T. Young, watchmakers, on the site of Messrs. King and Muir's old shop on Lambton-quay. The contract is to be completed by the end of September.

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue LVII, 24 February 1899, Page 4

KINSEY'S PHOTOGRAPHIC STUDIO.
The anticipated construction of the High-levels Tramways from Lambton-quay to Karori has led to the removal of Mr. W. Kinsey's photographic studio from its familiar and long-established position opposite Grey-street, as that site is required by the Tramway Company.

During the present week Mr. Kinsey and his staff have been busily engaged removing from the old into the new premises, which are located upon the first and second floors of Messrs. G. and T. Young's handsome new building in the central portion of the Quay. The new showrooms and studio are approached by a vestibule and stairway, the walls of which have been utilised as a gallery for the exhibition of the gems of the Kinsey studio.

Upon reaching the first floor the visitor passes through the office, thence into a large and well-furnished reception room, which, with the adjoining dressing-room for ladies, faces Lambton-quay. In the dressing-room are hung some very fine engravings and exceptionally good photographs by Chas. Reid, a noted Scotch artist. From this room entrance is obtained into a large, well-lighted, and up-to-date operating room, 40 feet long, with a width of 24 feet.

Another ascent takes the visitor on to the floor where the busy side of photography is seen in all its activity. The first room entered is a storehouse of negatives, the laden shelves containing 45,000 counterfeit presentments, dating back to those first days of the firm, when Messrs. Cazneau and Connolly's names were on the imprint.

Adjoining is the room wherein the retouching and mounting work is done, and a knock at the next door gives admission to Mr. Kinsey's sanctum. A few more steps takes the visitor into the principal dark-room, off which is a compartment wherein enlarging work is done. Enlargement forms no small portion of the firm's business. Another room is devoted to the enamelling department, and behind this again is the toning room, with concrete floor, lead-lined sink, and conveniently placed racks.

Last scene of all, upon a position slightly more elevated than the rest of the floor, and at the back of all, without obstruction, is the printing-room, with its stretch of plate glassed roof and cunningly contrived shades and benches for catching the sun's rays at all times of the day.

The whole of the premises has been excellently designed for photographic purposes by the architect (Mr. William Crichton), and the builder (Mr. C. H. Dryden) has ably carried out the designs. It is Mr. Kinsey's intention to throw his new premises open this evening for the inspection of all interested in the art and methods of photography.

Evening Post, Volume LVIII, 28 October 1899, Page 7

1899-1902 QSA 2 Bars to Lieut. W.H.S. Kinsey N.Z.M.R. 9/Cont. a/EF

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7457, 12 May 1903, Page 1

Negatives Kept

Cazeau and Connolly

Connolly and Herrmann

Connolly, Beauchamp and Price

Price, O'Malley and Co.

Price and Co.

KINSEY'S STUDIO.
Visitors to the Exhibition should not miss a visit to Kinsey's Studio. Lambton-quay, opposite Harcourt and Co., where a splendid collection of portraits is on view in his gallery. Mr. Kinsey is not only a photographer but an artist as well, and the figure studies that line the walls of his studio give ample proof of his artistic talent. Portraits in oils, water colours, and crayon are to be seen side by side with photographs in many styles. These photos are at once noticeable for the splendid lighting effects, graceful poise, and artistic finish.

Many of our notable men have sat for a portrait before Mr. Kinsey's camera, and their enlarged portraits, some in oils, some in carbon, tend to show the versatile hand that guides the brush.

All photographs are taken by Mr. Kinsey himself, and no proof is allowed out of the studio unless it is perfect, and clients are assured that all photographs are permanent they never fade, but retain their brightness for all time.

The studio is of the most modern type, fitted with all the latest accessories of the photographic art. Owing to its superior lighting qualities, dull weather is no bar to taking a good picture. Visitors are made welcome at all times, whether they come for sittings or to view the pictures in the studio, where Mr. Kinsey has for many years past been amassing works of art.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 130, 3 June 1911, Page 3

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 15, 18 July 1917, Page 1

The large quality of glass Kinsey wanted to sell were probably his glass negatives.

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 188, 9 June 1925, Page 12

The auction in 1925 of Kinsey's Studio contents included 30,000 whole-plate and cabinet negatives.

Mr. William Henry Scott Kinsey, who was for many years in business on Lambton quay as a photographer, died in Wellington yesterday afternoon at the age of 71 years. He had been living in retirement during the past few years. In his younger days Mr. Kinsey took considerable interest in the volunteer movement and was a lieutenant in the Heretaunga Mounted Rifles. He served in the South African War, and obtained his captaincy there.

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 94, 22 April 1931, Page 11