Admiral Hicks

[johnbarr]

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.

[ShaunJ]

I'd say it's an engraving rather than a photo. Late 18th/early 19th century.

[mckha489]

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?

[mckha489]

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?

[tomkin]

   Quick clean up

[johnbarr]

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
 

[mckha489]

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

[mckha489]

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

[mckha489]

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.