Platé and Co
Dates and places
Active in Ceylon 1890s-1940s.
Legal status / Nationality
The firm became a private limited company in 1900.
Sphere of activity
The photographic business was established by A.W.A. Platé and his wife Clara in a small studio in the Bristol Hotel in 1890. It moved to larger premises in Colpetty in 1892.
'Mr Heinemann joined the firm as managing partner and the business continued to steadily expand, with the result that the present staff of the establishment comprises ten Europeans and over 60 natives. Besides their Colpetty studio and several others in Colombo, Messrs. Plate have a branch establishment at Nuwara Eliya… and, in addition, book-stalls at the Queen's Hotel, Kandy, and the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo. The Colpetty studio and office practically represent the headquarters of the firm, and here are located extensive work-rooms, dark-rooms, show-rooms and other adjuncts to a photographic establishment, in addition to the spacious studio, reckoned to be one of the finest in the East' (Wright 1907, p.XX).
The firm became a private limited company in 1900 and the business was enlarged to concentrate on the supplying of photographic apparatus and material. In 1907 the firm had an output of postcards of half a million. It probably took over the stock of W.L.H. Skeen. Platé and Co. were still trading in the 1940s.
Publications:
Platé and Co. (19--), The hundred best views of Ceylon : from photographs taken by the publishers. Colombo.
Found in 64 Collections and/or Records:
A group of native dancers who performed
342 x 268 mm (hand-coloured).
Ceylon [i.e. Sri Lanka] Elephants, 1920 - 1929
The postcard is addressed to Miss Gillian Dold, London. It contains a brief note and is signed 'Daddy'.
Christ Church, Munnar, Travancore [i.e. Kerala]
[Colombo, Kandy and the ruined cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa], 1895 - 1900
Monochrome postcards showing views in Colombo, Kandy and the ruined cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, published by Platé Ltd.
Elephants in the river at Peradeniya, 1901-04-12 - 1901-04-15
General view of Nuwara Eliya (the Sanitarium), 1901-04-12 - 1901-04-15
Giant Bamboos in Peradeniya Gardens, Ceylon [i.e. Sri Lanka], 1920 - 1929
The postcard is addressed to Mrs Gilbert Dold, London. It contains a brief note and is signed 'GW' or 'GD'.
Group of immigrant Tamils, 1901-04-12 - 1901-04-15
Group of Jaffna Tamil Ladies, 1901-04-12 - 1901-04-15
Group of Kandyan chiefs, 1901-04-12 - 1901-04-15
His Excellency delivering his Address after the unveiling
358 x 190 mm (with text of speech).
His Excellency the Governor and party arriving at Richmond Castle
285 x 200 mm.
His Excellency the Governor inspecting the Guard-of-Honour furnished by the Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps (Kalutara Section)
257 x 132 mm.
His Excellency witnessing the native dances after opening the after opening the entertainment at Richmond Castle in aid of war charities
275 x 208 mm (with programme, ticket and copy of letter from Queen Mary's Private Secretary to Mrs Wijayasinghe
His Highness the Hon. the Raja of Ramnad, the representative of the South Indian Rajas in the Madras Legislative Council, arrives for the unveiling ceremony
150 x 205 mm.
Mrs N.D.A. Silva Wijayasinghe
128 x 165 mm.
Native Botique [i.e. Boutique] or Shop, Ceylon [i.e. Sri Lanka], 1920 - 1929
The postcard is addressed to 'Mrs Roma Dold', London. It is signed 'GW' or 'GD'.
No. 17 - The New Peradeniya Bridge, 1920 - 1929
The postcard is addressed to 'Miss Gillian Dold', London, and is signed 'Daddy'.
Peace celebration at Richmond Castle, 1919
277 x 215 mm. Group photograph with his Excellency Brigadier-General Sir William Manning, K.C.M.G., K.B.E., C.B., Governor of Ceylon, as central figure who delivered a gracious message to the peasants assembled in their thousands to celebrate the signing of the peace treaty.
Provincial Officer’s residence, Ceylon, 1890 - 1899
260 x 204 mm. Showing a large, tile-roofed bungalow with the Union Jack flying from a pole in the garden in front of the verandah. A group of Europeans with Singhalese servants is posed in the garden for the photographer.
Richmond Castle the country seat of the Padikara Mudaliyar
285 x 185 mm (hand-coloured).
[Ruined cities of Ceylon i.e. Sri Lanka], 1910
Monochrome postcards of the ruined cities of Ceylon, published by Platé Ltd.
Scene at the presentation of colours to the Ceylon Mounted Infantry and of medals to South African Contingent, 1901-04-12 - 1901-04-15
Special souvenir issued by command of H.E. the Governor to commemorate the historic event - the presentation of His Majesty the King's statue to Kalutara
Printed sheet with photographs.
Talipot Palm Avenue in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Peradeniya, Ceylon [i.e. Sri Lanka], 1920 - 1929
The postcard is addressed to Mrs Roma Detwold (or Detmold). It contains a brief note and is signed 'GW' or 'GD'.