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G R Lambert and Co (fl. 1875-1919) (photographers)

 Organization

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 6 Collections and/or Records:

 Item

Penang : Beach Street, 1890 - 1899

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/BAM 2/39
Scope and Contents

272 x 206 mm. A view looking along Beach Street which runs NE-SW parallel to the waterfront and behind Victoria Street and Weld Quay. In the right foreground a three storey building houses G. Izolphe's hairdressing saloon, the Grand Hotel, the Pilots Club and Abdoul Sanat, watch-makers; these premises were later taken over by Kennedy and Co. Further down the street are the offices of the Pinang Gazette press, which in the left foreground are the Criterion Tiffin and Billiard Rooms.

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

Penang : the jetty, 1890 - 1899

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/BAM 2/37
Scope and Contents

270 x 209 mm. A view looking north-east along the waterfront towards the jetty. With small sailing boats in the foreground.

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

Penang : the jetty, 1890 - 1899

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/BAM 2/38
Scope and Contents

270 x 209 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

The Esplanade, Penang, 1880 - 1889

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/BAM 2/9
Scope and Contents 280 x 215 mm. A view from the Fort Cornwallis end of the Esplanade looking west across the cricket ground. At the right the Esplanade runs along the seafront, with the bandstand halfway along. On the further side of the cricket ground Esplanade Road runs across the picture from Light Street to the Esplanade just left of centre the old Town Hall is situated between Esplanade Road and Duke Street, with the Penang Cricket Club pavilion to the right and the Municipal Offices to the right...
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

The Inner Roads, Penang, 1880 - 1889

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/BAM 2/8
Scope and Contents

270 x 209 mm. A view looking along the Inner Roads, with steamers and numerous smaller sailing vessels at anchor.

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

View of Penang Island, looking S.E. from near the Halfway House, Penang Hill, 1880 - 1889

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/BAM 2/7
Scope and Contents

258 x 280 mm. A view from Penang Hill (also known as Government Hill and situated west of George Town) looking south east across a valley heavily planted with coconut plantations towards another range of hills. Beyond these part of the island of Pulau Jerejak can be seen, with the mainland of Province Wellesley dimly visible in the distance.

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).