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 10 Collections and/or Records:
Item
Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Y302B/47
Scope and Contents
273 x 209 mm. Group portrait of Bakatan warriors, dressed in war costume and carrying spears. Roth (1896) lists two types of Bakatan, the Batoi (Rejang River) and the Bintulu (Tatau River), but this group has not been precisely identified. Photographer unknown, probably G.R. Lambert and Co.
Dates:
1880 - 1889
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/Y302B/39
Scope and Contents
273 x 209 mm. View from a hillside looking down onto a row of thatched houses runing along beside the coal mine railway. The small trucks of coal are drawn by bullocks. Muara (also known as Brooketon) is situated some 13 miles east of Brunei Tarn and was a centre for coal mining by the British North Borneo Company until 1925. The town was completely destroyed during World War Two. Photograph by G.R. Lambert and Co.
Dates:
1880 - 1889
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/Y302B/46
Scope and Contents
266 x 207 mm. An elaborately posed group in front of their house. The photographer has been at pains to introduce into the picture as many artefacts and utensils as possible.Roth identifies the following components of the photograph:A slabit for carrying back loads; behind it the frame on which the women stretch their yarn for tying in the patterns by the process of saving, and afterwards brushing on the dye.Thin drum, with fish trap (ensenga) behind it; further to the...
Dates:
1880 - 1889
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/Y302B/45
Scope and Contents
208 x 269 mm. Group portrait of seven Dyak women from the area of the Sarebas and Rejang Rivers. The rambi or rawai is the corset composed of numerous rattan rings covered in brass. The caption for this print is taken from Roth (1896), vol. 1, page 2. Photographer unknown, probably G.R. Lambert and Co.
Dates:
1880 - 1889
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/Y302B/43
Scope and Contents
263 x 207 mm. View looking up the hillside towards St Thomas' Church, Kuching, a small wooden building with bell tower, erected and consecrated in 1851. Photographer unknown, probably G.R. Lambert and Co.
Dates:
1880 - 1889
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/Y302B/44
Scope and Contents
272 x 206 mm. Showing a number of thatched houses raised on piles and connected by walkways. Photographer unknown, probably G.R. Lambert and Co.
Dates:
1880 - 1889
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/Y302B/49
Scope and Contents
273 x 207 mm. View looking across a clearing towards a group of thatched, verandahed European houses set among palm trees. Photographer unknown, probably G.R. Lambert and Co.
Dates:
1880 - 1889
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/Y302B/48
Scope and Contents
270 x 208 mm. Group portrait of men, women and children seated on a woven mat. In Roth (1896), volume 1, page 25 this photograph is captioned 'Kanowits (?)'. Photographer unknown, probably G.R. Lambert and Co.
Dates:
1880 - 1889
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/Y302B/41
Scope and Contents
271 x 203 mm. View from a hillside looking down onto the town of Brunei which consists of thatched houses built on piles on the mudbanks of the Brunei River. Photographer unknown, probably G.R. Lambert and Co.
Dates:
1880 - 1889
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).
Fonds
Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Y3035C
Scope and Contents
Loose albumen prints, measuring approximately 270 x 185 mm, captioned and numbered in the negative.
Dates:
1890 - 1899
Conditions Governing Access:
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).
