Williamson & Co.
Joseph Bellas Williamson, born 19 November 1852, Claggan Cottage, Portrush, Antrim, Northern Ireland, died 8 March 1910 Whanganui aged 57 years, brother-in-law of the photographer William Andrews Collis.
Taranaki Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 2350, 16 October 1875
At Urenui we see "Wilkinson's Hotel," "View of the Redoubt and Magazine," showing also several of the settlers' houses there; "A View of the Township and north side of the River," and "A View of the Urenui Bridge." Our space to-day prevents us doing that justice to these views that we should like, and we shall on another occasion refer to the collection; but we cannot conclude without recommending those who would wish their friends in England or elsewhere to have an idea of the Province, to purchase some of these photographs and forwarded them home, feeling sure it would tend more to create a desire to visit this spot than all the letters they could write on the subject. We may add that Messrs. Williamson and Co. have innumerable views taken about the town, also panoramas of New Plymouth, one taken from Marslaud Hill, and the other from Fort Niger.
Messrs. Williamson and Co., photographers, have shown an amount of enterprise in getting out from England a gentleman of considerable ability as a photographer, who is not only master of all the modern improvements of the day, but is an artist in oils and water-colours as well.
Mr. F. Dighton has been for some years following the profession, and has been engaged in some of the best galleries in London, Cheltenham, and other parts of England. His book of specimens, which are to be seen at Messrs. Williamson and Co.'s, in noway belies the credentials he brings with him as being an artist, and thoroughly proficient in his art. We saw also a specimen of his coloring in oil, (the portrait of the Rev. Mr. Breach) which is excellent, and resembles a painting on ivory. It would be as well for those who intend getting their portraits taken, to visit Messrs. Williamson and Co.'s photographic gallery and to inspect the specimens of Mr. F. Dighton's work, when they will there see a variety of styles to chose from.
Mr. J. B. Williamson may take the credit of being the first photographic artist who has visited Mokau for the purpose of taking views in that district, which is at present very little known to Europeans. He was rather unfortunate with several of his negatives, which were spoiled in coming back, but he has secured four good views, which are very clear, and give an excellent idea of the river and surrounding country. They are the full size and will make an interesting addition to the collection of views already taken in Taranaki.
COLLIS, William Andrews
William Andrews Collis
New Plymouth
Messrs. Williamson and Co.'s Photographic Views of the Province.— We inspected yesterday afternoon, at Messrs. Williamson and Co.'s photographic studio, a number of beautiful views taken recently in various parts of the Province. They are "plate" size, being ten inches by twelve inches. The views were taken by Mr. W. A. Collis, and are very excellent specimens of photographic art, comprising scenes at the Waitara, Urenui, and Pukearuhe. "A Bush Scene," taken from a gully at the back of the A.C. Camp, looking south-east, is really a very beautiful picture, and another looking to the north-east is equally effectively taken. The views at Pukearuhe also comprises the following scenes:-
"View of the A.C. Camp from the Sea,"
"View of the Camp from northeast side, showing the Cliffs,"
"View of the Camp from the Slaughter-house,"
"View of the Cliffs from the Sands."
At Urenui we see
"Wilkinson's Hotel,"
"View of the Redoubt and Magazine" showing also several of the settlers' houses there;
"A View of the Township and north side of the River," and
"A View of the Urenui Bridge."
Mr W. A. Collis has forwarded to us some specimens of his Christmas photograph cards, which are very artistically got up. The chief feature in the cards this year is the Jubilee gathering in the centre of the town in March last, although, of course considerably reduced, the figures are very distinct. The border of flowers around the picture is pretty, and adds to the attractiveness of the cards. Mr Collis has also views of a waterfall on the Waiwakaiho some of which have been artistically coloured by Miss E. Collis, and form a very pretty picture. On one of the boughs of a tree are the words "Compliments of the Season." There should be a large demand for these cards.
Councillor William Andrews Collis was born in Fiji, South Sea Islands, in 1853, but arrived in Auckland at an early age, and was educated at Wesley College. The family settled in New Plymouth in 1872, and the subject of this sketch was brought up as a photographer with Mr. Hartley Webster. After some time he became manager of Messrs Williamson and Company's business, and commenced on his own account, in Brougham Street, in the year 1875. Mr. Collis was elected to the Borough Council, in 1889, for West Ward, but he has latterly represented Central Ward. He is a representative of the Council on the Board which controls the Recreation Grounds, and is the New Plymouth member of the Egmont National Park Board. Mr. Collis is chairman of the North Egmont Committee, in connection with the Park, and is secretary and treasurer of the local Scenery Preservation Society, the parent society of its kind in New Zealand. He has also been for several years chairman of the New Plymouth school committee. As a Forester, Mr. Collis is a trusted of Court Waireka, Ancient Order of Foresters; and he acts as trustee and secretary of three trusts in connection with the Wesleyan Methodist Church in New Plymouth. He was married, in 1877, to a daughter of the late Mr. W. R. King, of New Plymouth, and has two sons and four daughters. Mr. Collis is further referred to in connection with his business as a photographer.
Collis, William Andrews, Photographer, Devon Street, New Plymouth. Mr. Collis began business in Brougham Street, in 1875, but in 1882 he built his studio in Devon Street. The building is of wood and iron, and two stories in height; it has a studio, waiting and dressing rooms on the upper floor; and the offices and work rooms are on the ground floor. Mr. Collis undertakes all kinds of photography, including landscape and portraiture. He is further referred to as a member of the New Plymouth Borough Council.
Victoria University of Wellington
BARTLETT, William Henry
William Henry Bartlett
died 17 July 1943, reg. 1943/30936 aged 73 years
married
married 8 June 1904 at St George's Church, Thames
reg. 1904/1059
born 12 March 1881
died circa 1976, reg. 1976/48268
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.
above - an unidentified mother and child
by Bartlett's Studio, Auckland.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
© 2012 Victoria University of Wellington
A very pleasant outing took place on Saturday last at Waitakerei in connection with the firm of Mr W. H. Bartlett, art photographer, Queen street. The party, numbering about forty, consisting of members of the firm and their friends, left Wellesley street in two large brakes at eight o'clock in the morning.
On arrival a sumptuous luncheon was provided, to winch complete justice was done. The party then visited Waitakerei Falls, returning again to the grounds at six p.m. to a hearty repast. At the conclusion a member of the firm in a few well chosen words on behalf of the employees tendered a vote of thanks to Mr Bartlett for the generous manner in which he had contributed in so great a measure to the day's enjoyment. Mr Bartlett heartily responded, after which the party left for home, returning to Auckland about nine o'clock after a most enjoyable day.
The firm of W. H. Bartlett, photographer, of Queen-street, on Saturday indulged in a day's outing, which proved a great success. The members of the firm, some 16 in all and their friends, left Queen-street in ... at eight o'clock in the morning for Waitakerei, arriving at Baxter's farm at half-past ten a.m.
After lunch some thirty ladies and gentlemen visited the Falls, returning to the camp about six p.m. Refreshments were again partaken of, after which a hearty vote of thanks was tendered to Mr. Bartlett. In reply, Mr. Bartlett said he thought such outings could not fail to have a good effect. Unless they one and all worked together in perfect harmony they could not expect to produce the best work. He was so well pleased with this their first picnic that he purposed making it an annual outing.
A pretty wedding of much interest to a large circle of friends was solemnized on Wednesday afternoon, June 8th, in St. George's Church, Thames. The contracting couple were Mr W. H. Bartlett, photographer, of Auckland, and Miss Court, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Alfred Court, of the Thames. The church was crowded with guests and interested spectators, amongst the former being many relatives and friends of the parties from Auckland.
The Rev. Dr O'Callaghan officiated, and the service was fully choral. The bride was given away by her father, and looked graceful and charming in an exquisite gown of white crepe de chine over a foundation of glace silk. The bodice was made in early Victorian style, with yoke of Honiton lace, the edge of which was finished with a deep berthe of satin ribbon and open stitchery studded with pearls, and edged with accordeon-pleated chiffon. The transparent elbow sleeves were also finished with deep frills of accordeon-pleated chifion. The skirt was trained, and made with gauged hip-yoke and panelled front embroidered in pearls. The seams were joined with open stitchery, the foot being cut in Vandykes over fall flounces of accordeon-pleated chiffon edged, with chiffon ruches. Sprays of orange blossoms and lilies-of-the-valley effectively completed a lovely dress. She also wore a coronet of orange blossoms, over which was prettily arranged a long tulle veil, embroidered and trellised with bebe ribbon, and she carried a beautiful shower bouquet of choice flowers and ferns.
The bridesmaids were Miss Hilda Bartlett, sister of the bridegroom, Miss Annie Court, cousin of the bride, Miss Edna Stevenson, niece of the bridegroom, and Miss Chrissie Steadman. The first couple ivore lovely frocks of creme silk voile, with lace yokes, and gauged flounces finished with lace and chiffon. They also wore pretty green felt hats, trimmed with creme lace and shaded green and white ostrich tips. They carried beautiful bouquets, the gifts of the bridegroom, who also presented them with gold daggers set with greenstone and pearls. The little maids were daintily attired in white silk frocks elaborately pin tucked and inserted with lace, and white felt hats with long chiffon strings, and along ostrich feather drooping over the brim. They carried white crooks finished with flowers and satin ribbon, and wore gold necklets and greenstone hearts presented by the bridegroom. Mr J. McKenzie of Ponsonby, acted as best man, and Mr Logan, junr., of Stanley Bay, as groomsman.
Mr and Mrs Court subsequently entertained the bridal party and guests at a sumptuous wedding luncheon at the Royal Hotel. Mr and Mrs Bartlett departed later for a short honeymoon trip, and later leave, for the St. Louis Exhibition, travelling via Vancouver.
The bride's going away dress was a stylish costume of myrtle green flaked tweed, trimmed with velvet and gun-metal buttons. The bodice was made with guipure lace front, dotted with green silk and finished with fevers of creme cloth and bands of velvet, black picture hat with ostrich feathers.
The wedding presents were numerous and valuable, and included a silver-mounted kettle and stand from the employees of Mr Court's drapery establishment, and a case of fruit knives and forks from the Thames Bowling Club, of which the bride's father is a prominent member.
New Zealand photography was well represented at the World's Fair, St. Louis. Mr W. H. Bartlett, of this city, secured the highest award.
Post card collectors will now be given a chance of introducing an interesting feature in connection with their hobby Mr W. H. Bartlett, photographer, is getting out a neat post card, with a typical scene on the front and the photograph of the sender on the reverse side.
Some specimens shown us by Mr Bayne, the local representative, give an idea of the excellence and attractiveness of the innovation, which is calculated to "take on" to an unprecedented extent.
Mr. W. H. Bartlett