Dates
-
Existence: fl. 1875
-
1919
Biography
G.R. Lambert, from Dresden, arrived in Singapore in 1875. According to Wright, Lambert established a photographic studio in 1875 (Wright 1908). However, Lambert's firm was not advertised in the 'Singapore directory for the Straits Settlements' until 1878. In 1878 it had premises in Orchard Road and was possibly connected with the Lamberts who ran the Singapore Carriage Works and Livery Stables. In 1885 Lambert left the Straits Settlement. From 1885-1905 the firm was managed by Alexander Koch. There was also a branch in Deli, Sumatra, run by H. Stafhell in the mid-1880s and a branch in Kuala Lumpur. A Bangkok branch was run by C Frichas circa 1895. The firm's head office was at Gresham House, Battery Road in the 1890s. The firm was run by H. Thomas Jensen of Reutlinger's, Paris from 1905. G.R. Lambert and Co. were photographers by appointment to the King of Siam and the Sultan of Johore. They also photographed the Federal Conferences of 1896 and 1903 and the visit of Sir John Anderson to Kelantan in 1909. The company was the largest business in the Malay Peninsula. The firm possibly wound up during the First World War.
Wright wrote: 'Lambert has maintained a high reputation for artistic portraiture, and of landscapes they have one of the finest collections in the east, comprising about three thousand subjects relating to Siam, Singapore, Borneo, Malaya and China. An extensive trade is done in picture postcards, the turnover being about quarter of a million cards a year. A large stock of apparatus for amateurs is always kept in hand' (1908).
The firm also employed:
1885: C. Petersen, H. Schübert, Miss Besagoiti, T.A. (or J.A.) Rodrigues.
1901: R. Herbst, H.V. Katte, C. Warleberg, A Beattie.
1910: O. Schwemer (Chairman), H.L. Coghlan, W. Ewald, S. Gauder, R. Matsunaga.
Sources:
Falconer, J (1987), 'A vision of the past : a history of early photography in Singapore and Malaya : the photographs of G.R. Lambert and Co., 1880-1910'. Singapore: Times Editions.
Wright, Arnold and Cartwright, H.A. ed. (1907), 'Twentieth century impressions of British Malaya: its history, people, commerce, industries, and resources'. London.
Found in 8 Collections and/or Records:
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/BAM 3/46
Scope and Contents
357 x 272 mm. A group portrait of British and Malay dignitaries gathered in the garden of the Residency at Kuala Kangsar during the Federal Conference of 1897. With three elephants at the right of the print. At the start of the meeting a telegram telegram of loyalty from the Sultans to Queen Victoria was sent and in the following days various matters relating to federation were discussed. Figures so far identified in the print are: Sir Hugh CLIFFORD (1866-1941), seated on middle...
Dates:
1897-07
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/BAM 3/22
Scope and Contents
269 x 207 mm. A view looking over the town from a neighbouring hillside, with tin workings in the foreground, the houses of the town beyond and the Residency situated on a small hill overlooking the Padang.
Dates:
1890 - 1899
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/BAM 3/23
Scope and Contents
269 x 207 mm.
Dates:
1890 - 1899
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/BAM 3/21
Scope and Contents
285 x 210 mm (mounted on card). A view showing the Victoria Bridge, an iron girder construction mounted on stone piles, on the Ipoh-Taiping line and Enggor. The Perak River at this point is over 1000 feet wide and subject to severe flooding; original designs had allowed for a rail level 34 feet above the normal water line, but this was later changed to 40, a valuable decision in the light of the 1926 floods which brought the water level up to the bottom booms of the bridge. Preliminary...
Dates:
1899
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/BAM 3/24
Scope and Contents
269 x 207 mm. A view looking along a street lined with Chinese traders' stalls, with the spire of the church in the left background. This presumably All Saints Church, consecrated in 1887.
Dates:
1890 - 1899
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/BAM 3/25
Scope and Contents
269 x 207 mm.
Dates:
1890 - 1899
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/BAM 3/26
Scope and Contents
269 x 206 mm. A view looking along the wooden wharves and landing stages at Telok [i.e. Teluk] Anson, with a steamer moored at the right. Telok Anson is situated on the Perak River, 40 miles south of Ipoh and 20 miles from the Strait of Malacca.
Dates:
1890 - 1899
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/BAM 3/27
Scope and Contents
269 x 206 mm.
Dates:
1890 - 1899
Conditions Governing Access:
From the Fonds:
Unless restrictions apply, the collection is open for consultation by researchers using the Manuscripts Reading Room at Cambridge University Library. For further details on conditions governing access please contact mss@lib.cam.ac.uk. Information about opening hours and obtaining a Cambridge University Library reader's ticket is available from the Library's website (www.lib.cam.ac.uk).
