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Platé and Co

 Organization

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:

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 Item

The tea industry : an estate factory, 1901-04-12 - 1901-04-15

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/QM 2/44
Scope and Contents From the File: A collection of platinum prints, 280 x 225 mm, mounted in a volume bound in red leather with 'The Royal Visit to Ceylon April, 1901' and the Royal Arms on the front cover. They are by various photographers and record the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later H.M. King George V and H.M. Queen Mary) 12-15 April, 1901. The prints are mounted on cardboard pages and have printed captions, which have been recorded as found. They may include language which is...
Dates: 1901-04-12 - 1901-04-15
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 tea industry : Group of coolies with Kanganies [historic title], 1901-04-12 - 1901-04-15

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/QM 2/43
Scope and Contents From the File: A collection of platinum prints, 280 x 225 mm, mounted in a volume bound in red leather with 'The Royal Visit to Ceylon April, 1901' and the Royal Arms on the front cover. They are by various photographers and record the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later H.M. King George V and H.M. Queen Mary) 12-15 April, 1901. The prints are mounted on cardboard pages and have printed captions, which have been recorded as found. They may include language which is...
Dates: 1901-04-12 - 1901-04-15
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

Trincomalee, 1890 - 1899

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Y303G/9
Scope and Contents

260 x 205 mm. Showing two British warships at anchor in Trincomalee Harbour. The buildings on the shoreline are probably the Naval Yards, with Ostenberg Fort on the ridge behind.

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

Trincomalee, 1890 - 1899

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Y303G/10
Scope and Contents

260 x 204 mm. View looking down on ships anchored in Trincomalee Harbour. The viewpoint has not been positively identified, but is probably from the Ostenberg Fort looking S.W. across the harbour towards Clappenberg Point.

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

[Trincomalee], 1890 - 1899

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Y303G/11
Scope and Contents

260 x 204 mm. View looking down on shipping at anchor in the harbour. The three ships appear to be the same vessels seen in Y303G/10, possibly photographed from Little Sober Island.

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

[Trincomalee Harbour], 1890 - 1899

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Y303G/12
Scope and Contents

260 x 203 mm. View looking across a channel towards a long ridge. With palm trees in the foreground. Exact location unidentified, but probably part of Trincomalee Harbour.

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

[Two ambulances presented by N.D.A. Silva Wijaysinghe]

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/QM 28/28
Scope and Contents

198 x 140 mm (with acknowledgement of his gift for this and the relief of Belgian children).

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).
 File

Unveiling of statue of King George V, 1916

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/QM 28
Scope and Contents

Contains prints of various sizes, as listed (mounted on card), with descriptions in gold lettering and bound in a red leather volume with the inscription 'Souvenir of the Unveiling of the First Statue of His Majesty the King in the East, at Kalutara South, Ceylon. The Gift of Don Arthur Silva Wijaysinghe Siriwardene, (Sinahalese Chief) The Padikar Mudaliyar, Justice of the Peace, etc., etc. 22nd of July, 1916'. Various printed items have also been inserted.

Dates: 1916
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 a cocoanut [i.e. coconut] estate, 1901-04-12 - 1901-04-15

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/QM 2/46
Scope and Contents From the File: A collection of platinum prints, 280 x 225 mm, mounted in a volume bound in red leather with 'The Royal Visit to Ceylon April, 1901' and the Royal Arms on the front cover. They are by various photographers and record the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later H.M. King George V and H.M. Queen Mary) 12-15 April, 1901. The prints are mounted on cardboard pages and have printed captions, which have been recorded as found. They may include language which is...
Dates: 1901-04-12 - 1901-04-15
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 Nuwara Eliya, 1901-04-12 - 1901-04-15

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/QM 2/49
Scope and Contents From the File: A collection of platinum prints, 280 x 225 mm, mounted in a volume bound in red leather with 'The Royal Visit to Ceylon April, 1901' and the Royal Arms on the front cover. They are by various photographers and record the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later H.M. King George V and H.M. Queen Mary) 12-15 April, 1901. The prints are mounted on cardboard pages and have printed captions, which have been recorded as found. They may include language which is...
Dates: 1901-04-12 - 1901-04-15
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 Nuwara Eliya, 1901-04-12 - 1901-04-15

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/QM 2/50
Scope and Contents From the File: A collection of platinum prints, 280 x 225 mm, mounted in a volume bound in red leather with 'The Royal Visit to Ceylon April, 1901' and the Royal Arms on the front cover. They are by various photographers and record the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York (later H.M. King George V and H.M. Queen Mary) 12-15 April, 1901. The prints are mounted on cardboard pages and have printed captions, which have been recorded as found. They may include language which is...
Dates: 1901-04-12 - 1901-04-15
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 the River Kalu-Ganga from the main turret of Richmond Castle

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/QM 28/10
Scope and Contents From the File:

Contains prints of various sizes, as listed (mounted on card), with descriptions in gold lettering and bound in a red leather volume with the inscription 'Souvenir of the Unveiling of the First Statue of His Majesty the King in the East, at Kalutara South, Ceylon. The Gift of Don Arthur Silva Wijaysinghe Siriwardene, (Sinahalese Chief) The Padikar Mudaliyar, Justice of the Peace, etc., etc. 22nd of July, 1916'. Various printed items have also been inserted.

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

W.A. Davis Retirement Photograph 1935

 Fonds
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Y303M
Scope and Contents Framed photograph measuring 425 x 180 mm (print) and 590 x 260 mm (frame).It shows a group of 76 individuals (presumably Davis and his staff) outside a building. On the back is a label 'Presented to W.A. Davis Esq: Supdt. of Appln Surveys, on the eve of his retirement by the Staff of the Application and Field Sheet Departments. Surveyor General's Office. Colombo, 8th. May 1935'. William Arthur Davis, P.A.S.I., born in 1889, joined the Survey Department in Ceylon in 1913. He was...
Dates: 1935
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).
 Item

Washing clothes, Ceylon, 1890 - 1899

 Item
Reference Code: GBR/0115/RCS/Y303G/6
Scope and Contents

260 x 204 mm. View showing Singhalese men washing clothes at the edge of a river or lake, with laundry drying on the ground beyond and a plantation of palms in the background.

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).
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