Nelson Photographer

[johnbarr]

I have an old photo which I 'think' was taken by a professional photographer.

I would like to confirm where and when it might have been taken, but cannot show the whole picture. (long story  )

I've been told it could have been in Nelson around 1910-1918.

Below is the wording shown in bottom left corner of the photo, with no other writing to compare it with.

As you can see from the last word, a certain amount of 'design' has been used to embelish the letters. I think the last word is "Photo" with a $ sign carefully worked into the "P" perhaps to indicate he charges for his work?  I think the surname is probably Cameron.

I have checked ER for that period and cannot see any 'Cameron' with first names that seem to fit. There is a Bruce Douglas, mechanician (?) in 1911, but I don't think my photo shows a B.D.

Does anyone have any other suggestions, or sources for details of professional photographers in NZ around that time

John B

[kiwihalfpint]

Hi John,

Dollar Signs weren't around in NZ at that time. 


Cheers
KHP

[johnbarr]

Hi KHP,

Good point, but I think it would be more correct to say dollars were not NZ currency at that time 

I would imagine that the dollar sign would have been around and well recognised??

But I could be wrong 

John B

[kiwihalfpint]

I just slapped my paw for my bad wording   We didn't change until July 1967.

The first letter I thought was a pound sign, but then we know what thought thought

Is there nothing stamped on the back of the photo?


Cheers
KHP

[BegClonrode ....]

Hello John...

Samuel CAMERON maybe. Sort of looks like an S

http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/dbtw-wpd/photographers/basic_search.htm

Regards
Beg

[PrueM]

I don't think there's any hidden symbolism in the words.  My guess was either FF or SS Cameron, Photo, and I agree that this wording indicates that this would be a professional photographer.  This kind of handwritten message on photos was prevalent in the early 20th century - 1900s-1920s.

If you can show the photo it should be a simple matter of dating it by the clothing being worn.

[johnbarr]

Hi Beg,

Thanks for that handy link. Yes, I see Samuel Cameron was in Wellington, not too far from Nelson, but I cannot see any sign of him on ERs for that period. Maybe if he was an Army defaulter he didn't enrol?

John B

[johnbarr]

Hi PrueM,

Thanks for your comments.

Would you believe  , I was asked about the photographer, so took a photo of his details - but didn't think to capture the whole picture. What a great benefit hindsight is 

Unfortunately, it might be some days before I can organise another viewing of the photo, (and chance to take the whole picture) as owner is some distance away.

John B

[Fresh Fields]

Hello there.

May I suggest you ask the nearest KID with a phone to capture a photo and email it to you. I'm amazed what they can do with their phones these days.

- Alan.