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A C Gomes and Sons (1869-1917) (photographers)

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1869 - 1917

Biography

A.C. Gomes and Sons was founded by A.C. Gomes in Aden in 1869, where he was appointed Government Photographer for the Fortifications (Macmillan 1930, p.314). The company seems to have moved to Zanzibar circa 1870s. Playne listed the firm's address as 'in the Main Road (opposite the G.P.O.), Zanzibar' and wrote that 'for over forty years now their business has been carried on in those parts...' (1908-9, p.419). Gomes was briefly in partnership with J.B. Coutinho (partnership dissolved 31st July 1897). He photographed the lowering of an oil tank on 24th November 1900. Gomes's son, P.F. Gomes, took some of the first photographs of the Uganda Railway. The firm was appointed photographers to the Government Aerial Service during the First World War (Macmillan 1930, p.314).

A.C. Gomes died in 1917 (Macmillan 1930, p.314). The business was continued by P.F. Gomes who died in 1932. A branch of the company was opened in Dar-es-Salaam by P.F. Gomes and his son, E. Gomes, in 1929. In 1930 P.F. Gomes's other son, G. Gomes, was running the studio in Main Street, Zanzibar (Macmillan 1930, p.314).

The family were possibly originally from Goa. A photograph of A.C. Gomes and P.F. Gomes can be seen on p.419 of Playne's 'East Africa...' (1908-9).

Publications:

Playne, Somerset (1908-9) 'East Africa (British): its history, people, commerce, industries, and resources'. [London]. [Contains photographs by A.C. Gomes and Sons].

Sources:

Crofton, R.H. (1953) 'Zanzibar affairs, 1914-1933'. London: F. Edwards. Macmillan, Allister (1930) 'Eastern Africa and Rhodesia: historical and descriptive, commercial and industrial, facts, figures, and resources'. London: W.H. and L. Collingridge.

Playne, Somerset (1908-9) 'East Africa (British): its history, people, commerce, industries, and resources'. [London].

Simpson, D.H., Thomas, H.B. and Gray, Sir J.M. (c. 1961) 'Dictionary of East African biography'. Unfinished and unpublished [Held in RCS Library - RCMS 155].

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

 Item

Acacia Avenue, Dar-es-Salaam, 1960 - 1969

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/PC Kenya/64
Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series:

Coloured and monochrome postcards of East African wildlife and scenery by various publishers and photographers.

Dates: 1960 - 1969
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).

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  • Subject: Zanzibar (region) X