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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: johnbarr on Tuesday 29 September 20 01:45 BST (UK)

Title: Admiral Hicks
Post by: johnbarr on Tuesday 29 September 20 01:45 BST (UK)
A friend has asked for help and more information about the attached photo which has been in her family for some time and has been referred to as 'Admiral Hicks'. There is a possibility that the person in the photo is related so it would be a big help if any details about the subject or the photographer could be determined.

I have tried to improve the details at the bottom of the portrait in a separate close-up and we think the photographer's name could be Bartlett although there seems to be an extra flourish on the start of trhe 'B' ?

Next line is fairly clear to be 'GOLD MEDALLION'.

The third line looks a bit like 'AUCKLAND N.Z.' to me but I live in New Zealand so obviously biased  ;)

Judging by the wig and costume it seems more likely to have been taken in UK but any suggestions on date, subject or photographer would be welcome.
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: ShaunJ on Tuesday 29 September 20 11:03 BST (UK)
I'd say it's an engraving rather than a photo. Late 18th/early 19th century.
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: mckha489 on Tuesday 29 September 20 11:09 BST (UK)
I think you are right about Bartlett. Gold medal winner at the Auckland Exhibitions

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TH19030715.2.34.2?items_per_page=10&query=Bartlett+photographer+&snippet=true

So, he must have taken a photograph of the painting/engraving
So, is the original in NZ somewhere?
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: mckha489 on Tuesday 29 September 20 11:26 BST (UK)
There is Rear Admiral Thomas Hicks, whose dates seem reasonable as a possibility

https://morethannelson.com/officer/thomas-hicks/

A tree on ancestry has a tiny image of him older than this one

https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/18826834/person/1121580329/facts

No indication of its origin sadly

Might he have had a descendant who came to NZ with one painting?
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: tomkin on Tuesday 29 September 20 11:37 BST (UK)
   Quick clean up :D :D
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: johnbarr on Tuesday 29 September 20 20:13 BST (UK)
There is Rear Admiral Thomas Hicks, whose dates seem reasonable as a possibility

https://morethannelson.com/officer/thomas-hicks/

A tree on ancestry has a tiny image of him older than this one

https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/18826834/person/1121580329/facts

No indication of its origin sadly

Might he have had a descendant who came to NZ with one painting?

Many Thanks for those links Mckha489 and your comment ShaunJ.

So we now have the photographer definitely in New Zealand, Auckland and Taranaki and the suggestion that the photo was taken of a portrait or engraving?

And a fascinating account of the life of Admiral Thomas Hicks. I see at the end reference to one of his daughters married to Captain Edward Kendall. This is interesting because another old photo in the same collection is of a 'Capt. George Kendall, R.N.' so either an amazing coincidence or a possible link to the family connection.

Interesting to see he honoured two of his former Admirals when naming his sons.

We now have more work to do trying to fit these clues together.

Many Thanks to you all
 :)
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: mckha489 on Tuesday 29 September 20 20:32 BST (UK)

NZ BDM
1889/2234   Saxon   Mary Hyde   86Y

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/FS18890622.2.5?items_per_page=10&query=Mary+Hyde+Saxon+&snippet=true

Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: mckha489 on Tuesday 29 September 20 20:34 BST (UK)
A daughter, Mary, wife of John Barleyman

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MPRESS18671106.2.8?items_per_page=10&query=Mary+Hyde+Saxon+&snippet=true
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: mckha489 on Tuesday 29 September 20 20:37 BST (UK)
I wonder if Nelson Art Gallery/Library hold anything of interest?

I suppose another source of the photograph could be someone who went to England circa 1900 and visited. Took some photographs and had them printed in NZ. 
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: mckha489 on Tuesday 29 September 20 20:41 BST (UK)
Death of John Saxon the husband of Mary Hyde Hicks

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/FS18991209.2.4?items_per_page=10&query=John+Saxon+takaka&snippet=true

His pension

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TC18990131.2.15?items_per_page=10&query=John+Saxon+takaka&snippet=true
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: mckha489 on Tuesday 29 September 20 20:47 BST (UK)
Death of John Saxon the son of John Saxon and Mary Hyde Hicks
Gives bio details including immigration
And now we are in the North Island
2 more surnames. Webb & Duncan
I don’t suppose there is a picture of Major Horneman in that collection too  ;D

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HC19121220.2.9?items_per_page=10&phrase=2&query=John+Saxon&snippet=true
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: johnbarr on Tuesday 29 September 20 21:29 BST (UK)
Wow!! It's hard to keep up with you Mckha489 but you're certainly on the right track.

John Saxon (father and son) were Gt grandparents of my friend.

Many Thanks  :) 
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: mckha489 on Tuesday 29 September 20 21:32 BST (UK)
Perfect. It would be nice to know where the original is.
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: Trishanne on Wednesday 30 September 20 20:00 BST (UK)
I've cleaned him up a bit for you
Pat
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: johnbarr on Wednesday 30 September 20 20:48 BST (UK)
Thanks to tomkin and trishanne for your photo improvements.

John B
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 30 September 20 22:31 BST (UK)
It looks to me as though the original was a miniature portrait that has been reproduced as a photograph. It's lovely. I will have a go at this one tomorrow hopefully.
Carol
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 01 October 20 14:47 BST (UK)
I had a play with the Admiral  ;D
Carol
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 01 October 20 14:56 BST (UK)
...and an alternative choice if you prefer.
Carol
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: tomkin on Thursday 01 October 20 15:01 BST (UK)

   
Quote
I had a play with the Admiral  ;D
Carol

                  Don't let hubby know that you play with sailors ::) ::) ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 01 October 20 15:15 BST (UK)
I have plenty of experience Tomkin...I married one  ;D ;D
Carol
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: johnbarr on Thursday 01 October 20 20:40 BST (UK)
Thanks for your 'admirable' improvements Carol.
 ;D
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: tomkin on Thursday 01 October 20 21:57 BST (UK)
Quote
I have plenty of experience Tomkin...I married one  ;D ;D
Carol

                         Kiss me Hardy ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 01 October 20 22:18 BST (UK)
Thanks for your 'admirable' improvements Carol.
 ;D

You are welcome John....like the pun  ;D

Carol
Title: Re: Admiral Hicks
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 01 October 20 22:20 BST (UK)
Quote
I have plenty of experience Tomkin...I married one  ;D ;D
Carol
;D ;D ;D
                         Kiss me Hardy ;D ;D ;D ;D

Ok.....but no tongues  :-* :-* :-*

 ;D ;D

Carol