Lancaster claims establishment in 1835.

W.J. Lancaster died on 18 September 1925 aged 80.

In the 1881 census Lane (b.1813) is described as a cabinet maker employing seven men. He is living at the Allen St. address with his three sons.

Lawley was established in 1780. Walter Lawley (b.1851) was described as a pawnbroker and optician in the 1880s. In 1881 William Lawley who, along with Walter formed the partnership of Walter Lawley, was made bankrupt.

Established in 1858. Merged into Houghtons Ltd in 1904 though the company name remained for some time. Patents issued to Levi & Co. were in the name of M.L. Isaacs, L.M. Isaacs and F.M. Isaacs. Levi used the Leviathan trade mark.

A note in the 1892 BJP suggests that M.L. Isaacs had been running the company since 1876 and that Joseph Levi had recently died, that would also tie in with a note from the same year concerning the firm of S.J. Levi.

Meyer Lewis Isaacs (d.1907).

A.C. Jones joined the firm as partner in 1892. The change of name was around June 1897 when S.J. Levi was dissolved, Alexander James Jones then formed Levi, Jones. Samuel Joseph Levi was the son of Joseph Levi (see entry above). The entry in the BJP gives Jones's initials as A.C.

The company was founded in 1887.

Lizars was a well established opticians, Matthew Ballantine took over the running of the company in 1882. Expansion into photographic items probably date from this time. Manufacture of cameras probably started around 1896. The distinctive Lizars cameras of their own design ceased by the end of WW1, they continued to sell re-badged cameras.

A note in the AP of 1908 states that Robert Ballantine has retired from the Buchanan St. business and is to continue in business under his own name (he moved to 99 St. Vincent St. as an optician and photographic dealer). The Glasgow business of Lizars is to continue under the management of Matthew Ballantine junior and Arthur Ballantine, both sons of Matthew Ballantine senior. The Photographic News of 1896 mentions a new workshop that has opened in Craignestock, Glasgow. A proposed move to Cape Town did not take place but it is mentioned in some advertisements from around 1902 and even on camera name plaques.

Retailer. Successor to H. Newton & Co. (est. 1851). Newton was at 5 South John St. from the late 1870s and previously at 16 Lord St.

Retailers, with a few items sold under their own, R&M, name. Originally 'London Camera Exchange' was a strap-line but was quickly adopted as the company name. Portugal House (2 Poultry) was on the corner of Poultry and Queen Victoria St.

An H.E Manistre was trading from 59 Queen's Rd. W2 in the mid 1920s and later at 113 Queen's Rd. He was distributor for the Duoflex. The British Camera Manufacturing Co., makers of the Duoflex, were also listed at 113 Queen's Rd.

The LPOC was owned or managed by J.S. Johnson and Walter H. Thompson and later by Thompson alone. They produced a number of cameras in their 'Royalty' range, the Countess camera is shown in the YBP 1893, p. cx and appears to be based on J.E. Brown's designs. The Duke is shown in PA 1891, p. clxi. The LPOC was wound up in 1910 but was probably not active by that time, the owners are shown as T.A. Reynolds, Alfred T. Reynolds and W. Horace Thompson.

The company was founded in 1854 by George Swan Nottage (b.1822 d.1885), Howard John Kennard (b.1839 d.1896) with whom there was a family connection was the other director. Nottage was an Alderman of the City of London and its Lord Mayor in 1884. The manager in 1855 is shown in trade directories as being Frederick Jones. Later managed by J. Lillie Mitchell (d.1912). Arthur Gask was a manager in their later years. L.S.C. are a little untidy in the use of company names and addresses often simply calling themselves The Stereoscopic Co.

The London Stereoscopic & Photographic Co. Ltd went into voluntary liquidation in 1912 (wound up in 1913) prior to reforming as the London Stereoscopic Co. Ltd. This was wound up in 1922, at the time the chairman was R.W. Kennard.

After 1912 Lumière products were distributed by T.K. Grant. Around 1900 to 1901 the Lumière London agents were Gaumont and previously Fuerst Brothers.

The parent company - A. Lumière et ses Fils - was founded 1883 and became Lumière & Jougla in 1911. Antoine Lumière died in 1911.

From 1921 Marion formed part of APM and later APEM. The factory at Southgate dates from 1885.

In 1867 Claude Maines Augustin Marion left the partnership trading as A Marion, Son & Co. the remaining partners were Auguste Leon Marion, Henry Edward Grey and George Bishop. The partnership between Auguste Leon Marion, Henri Louis Guibout, George Bishop, Frank Bishop and John Pattinson Kirk, trading as Marion & Co. was dissolved in late 1901.

George Bishop (b.1834 d.1906) was for some time senior partner in the firm, on his retirement his brother Frank took over the role. Frank Bishop (d.1910) was managing director from 1901. In 1912 a resolution was passed to wind up and reform Marion & Co. Ltd, but nothing seems to have come of this, at the time Gerald M. Bishop was chairman.

Alexander Cowan (b.1836 d.1922) was at one time manager of the Southgate works and previously at Hills & Saunders.

In 1884 George Sallnow Martin's father, James, bought Horne & Thornthwaite which was to be managed by G.S. Martin, the arrangement could not have lasted long. An 1887 advertisement notes that he was for eight years with Ross. An 1893 advertisement notes that he was for seven years at the Birkbeck Institution, this would be 1886 when he set up at Bream's Buildings (then the location of the Birkbeck) but the relationship is not clear. Martin was later in partnership with George Spiller trading as Spiller & Martin at 3 Wigmore, the partnership was dissolved in 1897.

George Mason FRPS (b.1839 d.1901) worked for John Spencer from 1863 becoming a partner in the firm from 1869 (this would be when John Spencer sen. retired). He started his own firm in 1870.

Established in 1860 by Joseph Wilson Swan (b.1828 d.1914) and John Mawson (d.1867). Swan gelatin dry plates were introduced in 1877. John Buxton Payne (d.1926) was managing director for many years.

Sold cameras under the Sandringham brand in the 1900s. Earlier partnership between Samuel Roberts and F. Sykes trading as chemists was ended in 1888.

Samuel Dunseith McKellen (b. 1836 Antrim, d.1906) was, prior to his involvement with photographic apparatus, a watchmaker and jeweller. His career is slightly complicated but can be summarised as follows;

• Prior to 1884. McKellen was a jeweller and a watchmaker. A partnership with Frederick Appleby (trading as S.D. McKellen & Co. at 95 Market St. and elsewhere) was dissolved in 1876.
• From 1884 to c.1891. The 'Double Pinion, Treble Patent' camera was announced in 1884 shortly after this McKellen started to produce cameras. The first cameras were made by Billcliff, in the BJA of 1886 McKellen states that the camera is now made 'at his own place and under his direct supervision'. The roll-film holder is also advertised. McKellen is at the Brown St address. The MS Detector was advertised by McKellen and Marion from 1890.
• From c.1891 - 1893. During this period it appears that McKellen no longer had control of the patents to his camera or the distribution rights. In the 1891 Photography Annual T.E. Moult is distributing the camera at a discount price which might indicate that he was clearing stock, or had the cameras made more cheaply. Both the field and MS Detector were advertised. Moult was at 9 Clarance St. Albert Sq.
• From 1893 - 1896. McKellen is now shown as manager of Thompson & Co. who are advertising the field camera, the Infallible and the Heywood finder. Thompson's address (from the 1894 BJA) is given as 5 Spring Gdns. McKellens address is given as Duchy Chambers, 2 Clarence St. Albert Sq.
• From 1896 - 1898. In September 1896 the firm of Thompson & Co. (then owned by William Thompson) was transferred to John Dunseith McKellen, Samuel's son. The address is shown as 4 Bull's Head Yard. Market Pl.
• From 1898. Around 1898 the company name is changed from Thompson to McKellen & Co. and in 1899 it becomes a limited company with share capital of £6000. S.D. McKellen was managing director.

A visit to the factory is described in the BJP of 1887, it notes that there are about 35 workmen at the factory.

Meagher was established in 1859 or late 1858, in the Kelly directory for 1859 there is a reference to Meagher but wrongly categorised as a Photographer. In 1861 he employed three men and two boys. Previously he had worked with Ottewill. Patrick Meagher (b. Ireland 1829, d. 8 May 1897) was living in Hammersmith in 1881. His nephew William Chamberlain, a photographer, was at the same address. By 1891 Meagher was living at 106 London Rd Cheam.

Coppice Row formed 44 - 49 of the new Farringdon Road created in 1863, Victoria St. was also absorbed at the same time. The Coppice Row name remained for a stretch of road near Clerkenwell Green. By 1901 the 21 Southampton Row premises were occupied by A. Rosenberg, model makers, electrical engineers and suppliers of X-ray equipment.

Cameras with the Coppice Row address are relatively rare.

William Middlemiss (b.1851), described in the census of 1881 as a photographic apparatus manufacturer employing 1 man and 4 boys. Living at 44 Priestman Terrace, Bradford.

In 1902 one of the three partners - Frank James Smith - left M.C.C. Charles Howell and George Lloyd Moore remained. M.C.C. Ltd was wound up in 1912, its trade mark and possibly the remaining business passing to Thornton-Pickard.

The partnership between Tom Miller, senior, and Tom Miller, junior, was dissolved in 1907.

Milliken & Lawley was founded around 1859 at 161A Strand. Prior to this the premises were occupied by John Milliken suppliers of surgical equipment. After 1859 John Milliken moved to Borough, the firm of Milliken & Lawley continued to supply surgical apparatus as well as lantern slides and other goods.

Henry Moorse (b.1832 Norwich) is described as a cabinet maker in the 1881 census, he is living at the High Holborn address.

The firm was founded around 1856 by Robert Murray (probably b.1799, Ireland) and Robert Vernon Heath (b. around 1821 d.1895). Murray & Heath supplied a large range of scientific and philosophical instruments including cameras and stereoscopes for which they registered designs. Heath later set up as a photographer with premises at 43 Piccadilly in 1862. According to G L'E Turner Charles Heisch FRMS was the sole proprietor of the company by 1867 (this would tie in with the move to Jermyn St. and Heath remaining at Piccadilly, Murray may have died by this time). Robert Charles Murray (b.1841) was the owner of the firm when it was wound up in 1883, he was later manager at J.J. Griffin c.1890 - c.1892. In 1881 he was living at the Pentonville address.

The artistic side of the partnership does not seem to have prospered. Robert Vernon Heath was declared bankrupt in 1865. Vernon Heath & Co. Ltd (then at 43 Piccadilly and still owned by Heath) was voluntarily wound up in 1885 due to debts. Vernon Heath & Co. (at 37 Piccadilly from 1886 and owned by Eliza Rosina Swindon (b.1846), formerly manageress for Heath) was listed as photographers in the late 1880s but in financial difficulty.

Henry (Enrico Angelo Ludovico) Negretti (b.1818 d.1879) and Joseph Warren Zambra (b.1822 d.1897) founded Negretti & Zambra in 1850 specialising in metrological instruments. Negretti had previously been a barometer maker. During the 1850s and 60s they were leading retailers of stereoscopic equipment. In 1918 the firm dropped their interest in optical instruments to concentrate on industrial and aeronautical equipment.

Prior to Pizzi & Negretti, Henry Negretti was working for Jane Pizzi, widow of Valentine Pizzi, from around 1840. He may have previously have been at 20 Greville St. as a glass blower.

In the 1880s, and probably before, the manager of the Holborn shop was R. Willats possibly connected with T & R Willats. J.W. Zambra left the partnership in 1892.

Founded by J. Guardia (d.1906) and Arthur Samuel Newman (b.1860 d.1943).

According W.B. Ferguson writing in the Photographic Journal (Sept. 1936) Newman was working for the microscope maker F & C Robins of Aldersgate St. from 1877. In 1880 he moved to H & E.J. Dale (electricians in Little Britain), when Dale bought out the business of F.J. Cox he transferred to their photographic workshop, this was the period when Jimmy Hare (son of George) was working at Cox.

Newman must have left Dale around 1886 when his newly developed shutter was marketed. In an 1888 advertisement the French firm of A. Laverne & Co. claim to possess the sole rights of the shutter but it was also sold by other companies (including Hinton and Abraham/Adams) so possibly Laverne were wholesalers. From around 1889 Laverne also sold a Newman shutter for detective cameras. Around 1888 Frank Lindsay-Simpson joined Newman to form Newman & Simpson, at this time they were general scientific manufacturers specialising in photographic work. One of their customers was the firm of Robert Abraham (later Adams & Co). The partnership did not last long, Simpson left in 1891 along with, according to Ferguson, their 20 workmen to work for Adams. This was probably the formation of the short lived firm of Simpson & Hill who were supplying Adams.

Until late 1891 Newman & Simpson were major suppliers to Adams, Newman shutters were mentioned by name in Adams advertisements and Newman and Adams worked jointly on patents. From 1892 the range of Adams products, in particular their cameras, increased significantly. One explanation for the Newman and Adams split is that increased work for Adams would have tied up resources and prevented Newman from developing his own range of cameras and pursuing other routes to market.

Newman then formed Newman & Guardia in 1891. Newman left the company in 1908 due to business difficulties arising from the death of Guardia and was later in partnership with J.A. Sinclair.

Newman & Guardia Ltd was wound up in the early 1970s, there was also a Newman & Guardia A-V Sales Ltd that was also wound up around this time.

An article in the 1892 BJP notes that there are 40 people working for N&G. Articles in the BJP for 1893 list their range of cameras and show the early Nydia.

The Farringdon St. address is on the west side between Charles St. and Clerkenwell, near Cross St.

The partnership between Arthur Samuel Newman and Frank Lindsay-Simpson was dissolved around Nov. 1891.

S.J. Levi & Co. were also at the 71 Farringdon address around 1890.

The Newtons were an old established family working in the diverse areas of globe making, patent agents and civil engineers. Advertisements claim establishment in 1704. John Newton (b.1759 d.1844) worked from 97 Chancery Lane from c.1780, John's son William (b.1786 d.1861) joined the firm forming J & W Newton. Miles Berry joined the firm in 1831 forming Newton, Son & Berry which lasted to 1841. Berry was the patent agent for Daguerre and was issued the first Photographic patent in England. William's son, William Edward (b.1818 d.1879) was part of the Fleet St branch.

The firm were important suppliers of lantern slides and equipment they also sold cameras and equipment during the wet-plate and early dry-plate periods. In 1920 the two partners in the firm, Herbert Charles Newton and Russell Stuart Wright separated, Newton continued at the King St. address selling lantern slides and Wright at the Wigmore St. address selling optical instruments, both firms continued to use the Newton & Co name.

Newton was part of, or associated with, Metroplitan-Vickers from around the late 1940s. M-V and British Thomson-Houston (BTH) were both part of AEI.

Established around 1851, probably ceased trading in the late 1860s. In an 1867 advertisement they note that they have been manufacturing for Ross for 15 years and that Mr Collis was previously working for Ross for 13 years.

The partnership with William Morgan was dissolved in April 1855. In 1862 Ottewill was discharged from bankruptcy but proceedings were renewed in 1864 and 1865.

Thomas Ottewill b.1821, Maidstone Kent. In 1861 he was living at the Charlotte Terrace address. he was no longer there by 1865.

Founded in 1881 by W.J. Wilson (b.1842 d.1917) and T.C. Whitfield. 'Prize' comes from a prize offered by Joseph Paget in 1880 for the best dry plate process which was won by Wilson. Their first plates were called: XV, XXX and XXXXX; indicating 15, 30 and 50 times wet-plate speeds. In 1921 they became part of APM, later APEM and then Ilford.

Predominantly wholesale manufacturers but some cameras carry their own name plaque. An advertisement from 1884 says that Park was with Meagher for 7 years and 8 years with Hare. Another advertisement says that customers are able to choose the particular plank of wood that was to be used to make the camera. In the census of 1881 Henry Park (b.1848) describes himself as a photographic apparatus manufacturer.

John Buxton Payne (d.1926) was in partnership with J.T. Chapman until 1874, he was later manager at Mawson & Swan.

Thomas Peele (b.Durham 1814) is listed as a Daguerreotype artist in 1851 and as a photographic apparatus manufacturer from 1861 to after 1873.

Advertisements claim establishment in 1852, in 1854 they were described as importers of foreign goods. They are known to have made cameras and lenses for other companies; one camera exists with the label "Lejeune & Perken made for J.T. Chapman" and lenses were supplied to M.W. Dunscombe.

Perken Son & Rayment was dissolved at the end of 1899 when Arthur Rayment left the partnership, the business was continued as Perken, Son & Co from 1/1/1900 by Frederick Louis Perken and Edgar Theodore Perken.

The partnership between Petschler and Benjamin Consterdine, trading as H. Petschler & Co, was dissolved in 1862. The business continued under the same name and later under the name of The Manchester Photographic Co. (Ltd). Helmuth Louis Friedrich Martin Petschler was made bankrupt in 1866. The Manchester Photographic Co. (Ltd) was wound up in 1868.

The nature of this company is not clear, they were issued two patents in conjunction with Albert John Eves Hill one for a camera the other for embossing prints. They also sold equipment under their own name, e.g. the Kalos shutter (which was also sold under the Adams & Co name). Their address is given as 72 & 74 Gray's Inn.

A.J.E. Hill is sometimes described as manager of Cresco-fylma Co. of Kingston.

The Kelly directories list the PACSA as at the Charterhouse address from 1877 to 1890, they are also listed at 251 Goswell Rd (which is close to Charterhouse Square) from 1878 to 1881. In 1879 the secretary is shown as Capt. H. Kerr later as E. Huntley and by 1889 as T.V. Nolan with W. Whittingham as M.D.

A winding up order was issued in 1884 stating that the assets of the company were to be sold including the factory at 43 Charterhouse. This corresponds to a period when they are not listed in the Kelly Directory. Following that period they re-surface at the same address.

PACSA stated that they either manufactured items or purchased from the manufacturers for retail to their customers. They operated somewhat like a co-operative, people would buy an entrance ticket (5 shillings) and at the end of the year excess profits were distributed amongst ticket holders who had purchased goods to a total value of £20 or more. PACSA was a limited company with a paid up capital of £8,500, which is a very large amount. Since a dividend of 5% was paid to the shareholders there may not have been much to distribute to the ticket holders.

Also known as W.B. Whittingham & Co. The company name and address are very similar to the previous entry with which Whittingham was also associated.

Retailer.

The partnership between Richard Weare, Wm. P. Piggott and Thomas Weare, watch makers, opticians and mathematical instrument makers of Birkenhead and Oxford St. London, was dissolved in 1849. The partnership between Wm. P. Piggott and Thomas Body, opticians and mathematical instrument makers of Wardrobe Place and Oxford St. was dissolved in 1849.

Price, Talbot, described as camera manufacturers, took over the 26 Ludgate Hill premises of H. Dale & Co. Price, Talbot was wound up in July 1891. Either the winding up took a long time or the company was reconstituted as another winding up meeting was held in 1896 this time at 4 Berry St, the premises of Price, Hill & Co. The Scientific Appliance Manufacturing Co Ltd trading from the same address may have been connected.

Formed around 1897 by Edwin Gladstone Price and Henry Hill, a patent was granted to the firm in that year.

There would seem to be a connection between 'Price, Hill' and 'Price, Talbot'. Henry Hill is possibly the same as collaborated with A.L. Adams.

Purma Cameras Ltd head offices were in Queen St. Mayfair; Kirby St. then Sutton and later Glamorgan. Joseph Terrett, named on some Purma patents, had an address in Kirby St. William Barton Wood, a patentee of a Purma camera which was not put into production, had an address in Sutton.

Joseph John Pyne (b. 1829). In Slater's directory of 1863 he is described as a pharmaceutical and dispensing chemist and manufacturer and importer of photographic apparatus, the 1859 Photographic News has an advertisement by Pyne.

Richard Quin (trading as Moran & Quin) patented an improved case for photographs and improvements to stereoscopes in 1857 (BP 168/1857), M&Q were then at 65 Poland St. Richard Quin was at 5 Rodney St. M&Q are known until 1877, in 1880 a Quin & Co. is listed, still at 65 Poland St.

Quta Co. is not in the BJA address lists. The Quta Photo Machine Co. is listed as being in Wimbledon until c.1908.

From the 1940s Rank started to consolidate several British optical and engineering companies, originally these had a connection with the film industry. These included: Gaumont British (taken over in 1941), GB-Kalee (part of Gaumont British), British Acoustic Films (a subsidiary of Gaumont British), Taylor, Taylor & Hobson (a subsidiary of British Acoustic Films), A. Kershaw & Sons (1947), Pullin (1964), Hilger & Watts (1968) and Aldis. Wray optical was already part of Hilger & Watts. GB Equipment was also listed in the 1940s, this may have been established by Rank or a subsidiary of Gaumont British. The companies were organised into British Optical and Precision Engineers Ltd. a subsidiary of Rank.

Established in 1896 when Henry Joseph Redding and E.T. Gyles left J. Robinson & Son. By the mid 1900s the photographic side of the business must have been trailing off in favour of other interests, by 1920 they specialised in spectacles. At one time they list themselves as makers of models, electrical instruments and optical toys.

As well as the Luzo Redding made tailboard cameras and a folding roll-film camera similar to the Sanderson finished in polished mahogany.

The London Gazette for 1898 records that a final dividend is to be paid to creditors by John Bolton Robinson. The Grafton St. address was still advertising as 'J. Robinson' in 1898.

Shown at the above address during the 1860s and 1870s, firstly as a general mechanic and then as photographic instrument maker employing 16 hands, not in Slater's directory for 1853. John Rogerson b. Manchester 1814.

Ross was established in 1830 by Andrew Ross (b.1798 d.1859) the business was continued by his son, Thomas (d.1870). Sir Charles Parsons acquired a controlling interest in the firm from 1 January 1921 and took over as chairman. Part of Barnet Ensign Ross Ltd from 1948.

Featherstone Buildings was a small street on the north side of High Holborn opposite Gt. Turnstile Street, the area was extensively remodelled by the Luftwaffe. The BJA 1892 shows illustrations of 112 Bond St. and Clapham Common.

In an 1891 advertisement they state that 'cabinet-maker's workshops' have been erected at the Clapham factory and that a stock of old mahogany has been secured, this would indicate that previously they were not actually making cameras.

In 1917 Ross took over the assets of Carl Zeiss (London) Ltd. The London offices were moved to the old Zeiss building in Gt. Castle St and the factory near Mill Hill was utilised, for a time lenses produced at the new factory were engraved Ross (Mill Hill).

Formed by the amalgamation of Houghton-Butcher Manufacturing Co. and the sales division of Elliott & Son Ltd, (Barnet plates etc). Later joined by Ross Ltd.

Primarily distributors for Meyer and Mentor, Roth also produced some cameras of their own fitted with Meyer lenses.

Henry Burfield was a chemist and druggist, sometime in the mid 1850s he was joined by William White Rouch, from then they probably started to retail stereo viewers etc. The establishment date of 1854 is shown in later Rouch advertisements. Burfield & Rouch were adverting in the 1858 Photographic News.

Samuel W. Rouch (b.1835 at St Agnes, Cornwall d.1898) was the patentee of the Eureka camera. There was also a W.A. Rouch who ran the company in the 1900s, he was a photographer specialising in sports photography.

Alfred William Routledge was later described as a builder when made bankrupt in 1868. At that time he was at 2 Millman St, Bedford Row and 12 Hand Ct. Holborn, probably a private address.