Burton Brothers (fl. 1868-1898) (photographers)
Dates
- Existence: fl. 1868 - 1898
Biography
Alfred Henry Burton was born in England in 1834. In circa 1868 he joined his brother Walter Burton in Dunedin, New Zealand, where Walter had established a photographic business (Turner 1996, p.282). Walter advertised as being 'of the firm of John Burton and Sons, of Leicester, Birmingham, Derby, Nottingham, and Burton-upon-Trent, England, Artist and Photographer' in Mackay's Almanac for 1867 (Knight 1971, p.46). Trading under the name 'Burton Brothers', Alfred and Walter remained in business together until 1876, when their partnership was dissolved (Turner 1996, p.282). Initially the company seems to have been primarily involved in selling fancy goods, engraving and hiring out masonic regalia. They later became successful publishers of photographic views, employing photographers to take topographical views and photographs of special events and expeditions (Knight 1971, p.47). Walter died in 1880. However, Alfred continued to trade under the name 'Burton Bros' until 1898, apparently appointing Thomas M.B. Muir to take over the portrait work ( Knight 1971, p.51). In 1898 Alfred sold his remaining interests to Muir and Moodie. Alfred was most famous for his trip up the Wanganui River in April and May 1885. His photographs from this trip form one of the most important records of Maori life. He spent his last years teaching elocution at Knox College. Alfred died in 1914 (Turner 1996, p.282; Knight 1971, pp.46-52).
Publications:
Burton Brothers (1884), 'The Camera in the Coral Islands'.
Burton Brothers (1884), 'New Zealand through the Camera'.
Burton Brothers (1886), 'The Maori at home: a catalogue of a series of photographs illustrative of the scenery and of native life in the centre of the North Island of New Zealand', Dunedin: Burton Bros.
Burton Brothers (1889), 'Wintering on Lakes Te Anau and Manapouri'.
Sources:
Turner, Jane ed. (1996), 'The dictionary of art'. Volume 5. New York: Grove.
Knight, Hardwicke (1971), 'Photography in New Zealand. A social and technical history'. Dunedin: John McIndoe.
Found in 5 Collections and/or Records:
Christchurch, 1885
191 x 140 mm. a view looking down on a street in an uncrowded residential area of Christchurch. Exact location unidentified.
Christchurch, 1880
198 x 148 mm. A view from above looking out over the spaciously laid out town with wide roads and houses separated by trees.
Normal School, Christchurch, 1885
194 x 139 mm. A view of the school, with children playing outside. The foundation stone for this ornate building, which was designed by S.C. Farr, was laid in 1873.
On the Avon, Christchurch, 1885
193 x 137 mm. A view looking along the tree-lined river, with school or church buildings beyond the trees.
The Hospital, Christchurch, 1885
194 x 140 mm. A view looking across the River Avon towards the hospital, a cluster of building with mock-tudor timbering.
Filtered By
- Subject: Christchurch (inhabited place) X