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Hopkins, Photographer, Hoddesdon, 1871-1914

September, 2010

 

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Hoddesdon

CDV of elderly lady by J & A G Hopkins of Hoddesdon  

I am always looking out for information on local photographers and post card publishers, and when I acquired this card I drew up a simple time line (below) to help date both the photograph and the photographers. In this case there was a surprise. In 1886 the Hopkins Brothers are described as photographic appliance and camera manufacturers, patentees & sole makers of the simple slide & reversible camera back - at Hoddesdon and are the only camera makers in the whole of Hertfordshire. Does anyone interested in the history of photography know anything of this enterprise, and do any of the cameras they made still survive?

It would also be interesting to know more about George being a photographic artist in 1871 and the fact that both the brothers appear to have two jobs on a number of occasions.

1871 Census

John Hoskins, 28 was a joiner living in with his father John (also a joiner) and other members of the family. Next door was George Hoskin, 16, photographic artist, living with an aunt. All in Hoddesdon..

1878 Directory

--- [No photographers listed in Hoddesdon]

1881 Census

John Hopkins 37, photographer & joiner - with family in Amwell Street, Great Amwell

Alfred G Hopkins 26, Photographer & Clerk was living in Boxbourne with his parents.

1882 Directory

--- [No photographers listed in Hoddesdon]

1884 Exhibition

A. G. Hopkins exhibited a "Patent Simplex Slide and Reversible Camera Back" at the 29th Exhibition of the Photographic Society of Great Britain. He also exhibited views of Brighton, Worthing & London.

1886 Directory

Hopkins Bros. photographic appliance and camera manufacturers, patentees & sole makers of the simple slide & reversible camera back, Amwell St. [They are the only camera makers listed in Hertfordshire.]

 

Hopkins John & Alfred, photographers, Amwell Street

1887 National Archives Index

Several photographs taken at Hoddesdon on Jubilee Day June 21 1887. ... Copyright owner of work: Hopkins Bros, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. Copyright author of work: John Hopkins, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire. ... Names of parties to agreement: John Hopkins and Alfred George Hopkins.

1890 Directory

Hopkins Bros, photographers, Amwell Street

1891 Census

John Hopkins 48, photographer, born Hoddesdon, living in Amwell Street with Wife and children

Alfred G. Hopkins living in Lord Street, Hoddesdon, with family - employed as photographer & clerk

1895 Directory

Hopkins Bros, photographers, Amwell Street

1899 Directory

Hopkins Bros, photographers, Amwell Street

1901 Census

John Hopkins, 58, joiner (carpenter) in Amwell street with family.

Alfred G Hopkins was in Lord Street, Hoddesdon, with wife and daughter. He was described as "Clerk ??? ??? ???" where the unreadable words appear to have nothing to do with photography.

1902 Directory

Hopkins Bros, photographers, Amwell Street

1908 Directory

Hopkins Bros, photographers, Amwell Street

1911 Census

John Hopkins, 69, retired joiner, with family at 33 Briscoe Road.

Alfred George Hopkins, 56, clerk, was with wife and daughter at 46 Lord Street

1912 Directory

Hopkins Bros, photographers, Briscoe Road

1914 FreeBMD

A 71 year old John Hopkins death registered at Edmonton.

1914 Directory

---

1918 CWGC

Lawrence Percy Hopkins, son of Elizabeth Mary Hopkins of 33 Briscoe Road, Hoddesdon, Herts. and the late John Hopkins was a war casualty

  CDV of Victorian lady by Hopkins Bros of Hoddesdon

CDV of Victorian Lady

[plain back]

If you can add to the information given above tell me.

December 2010   Page created
December 2011   Additional CDV & info on Exhibition