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 3 Collections and/or Records:
Hutt, Wellington, 1880
198 x 148 mm. A view of the countryside in the Hutt area north of Wellington, showing fields interspersed with palm trees.
Wellington from Catholic Cemetery, 1880
183 x 145 mm. A view looking down from the hill behind the city on to Te Aro Flat, Lambton Harbour and Port Nicholson, with Mt Victoria in the background. For other photographs of Wellington taken from a similar position in the 1870s by James Bragge, see Y308B/93-98.
Wellington from Mt Victoria, 1880
199 x 144 mm. A view looking down on the Wellington suburbs behind Te Aro Flat and the Harbour. At this time they are just reaching the foothills of Mt Victoria.
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- Subject: Wellington (inhabited place) X