Lancaster & Morecambe's early photographers 1840-1940

Since beginning this website, I was contacted by Rob Whalley, a Lancashire photo historian, who has offered a number of comments, suggestions and amendments, and has been extremely helpful and giving of his experience.

Rob kindly offered to further research the early history of photography in Lancaster and Morecambe and to write an article delving deeper into this fascinating story.

You can download and read a copy of Rob's article via the button below.

©Rob Whalley, 2026

Lancaster, 1871-1895

Chapel St, Lancaster (1871-1876)

S. Leonardgate, Lancaster

11 Wood St Lancaster (1873-1895)

Charles St Lancaster (1879)

Cable St, Lancaster (1881)

51 North Rd, Lancaster (1886-1887)

CDV from my own collection

Morecambe, 1885

Euston Rd, Morecambe (1885)

Lancaster (1852)

King Street, Lancaster (1852)

Image courtesy of Rob Whalley

Lancaster, c. 1890-1910

59 Broadway, Skerton, Lancaster (dates unknown, likely c. 1890-1910)

There is no record for a Harry Barrow in Gillian Jones directory, but the image looks to be circa 1900 going by the style, and the datestamp on the rear says 1906.

"Mr Townson, 7 Lodge St, Lancaster"

Cabinet card photo from my own collection.

Morecambe (1886-1887)

Victoria St, Morecambe (1886-1887)

"Uncle Will, Aunt Lucy & Muriel".

CDV from my own collection.

Lancaster (1934-1948)

60 Sibsey Street, Lancaster (1934)

16, the Arcade, Lancaster (1948)

Photo taken from the 1933 publication "Pictorial Record of the Great Fire Which Destroyed The Central Pier, Morecambe on Monday July 31st, 1933"

Morecambe (1918)

Marine Parade, Sandylands, Morecambe (1918)

Harry Blakey was a post-First World War street photographer who captured postcard-style views along Marine Parade in the Sandylands district of Morecambe in 1918. He is highly likely related to James Blakey, who dominated the resort's souvenir postcard industry between 1905 and 1939.

Lancaster & Morecambe (1905-1939)

23 Marine Rd, Morecambe (1905-1935)

46 Penny St, Lancaster (1909)

Promenade, West End, Morecambe (1930-1939)

Morecambe (1899)

Appears to be born in Blackpool in 1873, son of Joseph a travelling salesman. Married Elizabeth in 1898 and established his (most likely non-studio based) photography business up the coast in Morecambe a year later.

Buxton St, Morecambe (1899)

Morecambe (1895-1901)

28a The Crescent, Morecambe (1895-1896)

Victoria St, Morecambe (with W. Currey 1897-1898)

5 New Queen St, Morecambe (1899-1901)

Marine Rd, West End, Morecambe (with Alex Edwards 1901)

CDV from my own collection

Borland took over the premises of W. Currey at The Crescent, as seen on the back of the CDV, then partnered with Currey (as Currey & Borland) in Victoria Street, and with Alex Edwards (as Borland & Edwards) in the West End.

Lancaster (1864-1865)

Damside St, Lancaster (1864-1865)

CDV from my own collection.

The sitter is Isaac Wilcockson, a notable figure in Preston. Known for being a newspaper proprietor, author, and local councillor. He was a part-proprietor of the Preston Chronicle, an author of historical texts about Preston such as "Authentic Records of the Guild Merchant of Preston", and a trustee for the Preston Gas-Light Company. He served as a Preston Councillor and is also noted as a Quaker.

Morecambe

The Studio, Bare, Morecambe (dates TBC)

Cabinet card from my own collection

Morecambe (1879)

Breck Lodge, Poulton-Le-Sands, Morecambe (1879)

Lancaster (1882)

New Market St, Lancaster (1882)

Cabinet card from my own collection

(n.b. not from their Lancaster studio)

Morecambe (1890)

Euston Rd, Morecambe (1890)

Lancaster (1896-1901)

Corn Market St, Lancaster (1896-1898)

Corporation St, Lancaster (1899)

16 Springfield St, Lancaster (1901)

China St, Lancaster (1901)

Images found via internet

Morecambe, (1912-1918)

2 Duff St, Morecambe (1912-1914)

1 West View Terrace, Morecambe (1913-1918)

Group of six men one of which is a Lieutenant of a Territorial Force Battalion of the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, First World War.

Image found via internet

Morecambe (1912-1918)

Highfield Studio, Figure Eight Park, Morecambe (1912-1918)

Morecambe (1905-1912)

West View Studio, 1 West View Terrace, Morecambe (1905-1909)

Sandylands Studio, Morecambe (1909-1912)

Cabinet card from my own collection

Morecambe (1892)

Euston Rd, Morecambe (1892)

Lancaster (1864-1865)

13 St. Leonard Gate, Lancaster (1864)

Damside St, Lancaster (1865)

CDV from my own collection

Morecambe

Morecambe (no date known)

Lancaster (1865-1869)

7 Sulyard St, Lancaster (1865-1869)

CDV from my own collection

Morecambe (1894)

Crescent Chambers, Euston Rd, Morecambe

Lancaster (1862-65)

Opposite St. John's Church, Lancaster (1862-64)

Damside St, Lancaster (1864-65)

Image found via internet

Morecambe (1899-?)

Edward Currey was the son of William Currey.

Queen St, Morecambe (1899-?)

Morecambe (188?-1892)

Both of Willliam's daughters assisted him in the studio and one, Annie, went on to marry his later business partner John Borland.

According to his 1898 obituary, William held a unique historical credit as "the only person who has photographed Prime Minister William Gladstone in the act of felling trees." He died in 1898, aged 65.

Taylor Street, Morecambe (188? -1885)

Victoria St, Morecambe (1885-1896)

28a The Crescent, Morecambe (1886-1892)

New Queen St, Morecambe (dates unknown)

Victoria St, Morecambe (as Currey & Borland dates unknown)

CDV's from my own collection

Photo by W. Currey, The Crescent, Morecambe of Lewis Frederick Allcard Creswick, who "died in infancy" 25 Apr 1886.

Cabinet card from my own collection.

Morecambe

Victoria St, Morecambe (dates tbc)

CDV from my own collection

Lancaster (1905-1938)

41 Market St, Lancaster (1905-1938)

Lancaster and Morecambe

Unknown address, Morecambe (1873)

26 Alfred St, Lancaster (1873-1879)

27 New St, Lancaster (1881-1882)

Market St Chambers, Lancaster (1881-1939)

23 New St, Lancaster (1882-1899)

Photos from my own collection.

Lancaster (1892-1914)

46 Church St, Lancaster (1892-1898)

45 Coulston Rd, Lancaster (1912-1914)

CDV from my own collection.

Lancaster (circa 1865-1870)

Ullswater Road, Freehold, Lancaster c. 1865-1870

Deskowsky & Co. are one of the photographers I've come across that is not listed in Gillian Jones directory.

CDV from my own collection.

Morecambe (Dates?)

Promenade, West End, Morecambe (dates unknown)

Lancaster (1909)

89 King St, Lancaster (1909)

Morecambe (1896-1901)

West End Studio, Marine Road, Morecambe (1896-1901).

Cabinet card from my own collection.

Lancaster (1918)

4 Great John St, Lancaster (1918)

Lancaster (1866-1882)

Damside St, Lancaster (1866-1868)

29 King St, Lancaster (1869-1871)

Meeting House Lane, Lancaster (1871-1882)

CDV from my own collection

Samuel Fawcett, a process worker at Storey Brothers (now The Storey) in Lancaster, was co-inventor with Karel Vaclav Klíč of the industrial gravure printing method in 1895. The two established the Rembrandt Intaglio Printing Company, jointly developed the rotogravure process, used to this day for fine gravure printing by magazines like The National Geographic.

Image found via internet

(See also Pandolini & Fawcett below).

Lancaster

4 St. Leonardgate, Lancaster (circa 1890?)

CDV from my own collection.

Morecambe (1912-1914)

10 Tower Buildings, Morecambe (1912-1914)

Morecambe (1918-1935)

10 Tower Buildings, Morecambe (1918-1931)

Victoria Esplanade, Morecambe (1924-1930)

Bare Lane, Bare, Morecambe (1930-1935)

Morecambe (1899)

3 Euston Road, Morecambe (1899)

Lancaster (1858-1859)

Mobile studio, 8 King Street, Lancaster (Dec 1858).

Fenton Street (1859).

Image courtesy of Rob Whalley.

Morecambe (dates?)

189 Westminster Avenue, Morecambe (dates unknown)

Foster is another of those who name does not appear in Gillian Jones directory.

Image found via internet

Lancaster (1905)

China St, Lancaster (1905)

Lancaster (1934)

4 Bath St, Lancaster (1934)

Morecambe (1863-1892)

Victoria St, Morecambe (1863-1892)

Cabinet card from my own collection

Morecambe (1924-1939)

4/6 Northumberland St, Morecambe (1924-1939)

Lancaster (1901)

Born in Scarborough c.1858/59, the son of itinerant Polish-born photographer Marcus Guttenberg, William ran his father's studio at 29 Triangle, Bristol, from 1887-92 before the family firm's 1895 collapse. He resurfaced independently at 7 Common Garden Street, Lancaster in 1901.

7 Common Garden St, Lancaster (1901)

Lancaster (1855)

2 North Rd, Lancaster (August, 1855)

Noted in "A Faithful Likeness" (by Bernard & Pauline Heathcote) as a chemist who also supplied photographic equipment and gave practical instruction.

Image courtesy of Rob Whalley

Lancaster (1889-1892)

110 Ullswater Rd, Lancaster (1889-1890)

Skerton, Lancaster (1892)

CDV from my own collection

Morecambe (1872)

Victoria St, Poulton-Le-Sands, Morecambe (1872)

I'm inclined to think that Thomas Halliwell and Thomas Helliwell (see below), although both are listed in Gillian Jones' reference book, are actually the same person.

Morecambe (1909)

4 New Queen St, Morecambe (1909)

5 Hanover St, Morecambe (1909)

Lancaster (c. 1860-1870)

No other details known.

Cabinet card from my own collection.

Morecambe (1864-1869)

Queen's Terrace, Morecambe (1864-1868)

Nelson St, Morecambe (1868-1869)

Victoria St, Morecambe (1869-1870)

CDV from my own collection

Morecambe (1864-1885)

The Crescent, Morecambe (1864-1869)

9a Queen St, Morecambe (1871-1885)

Adam Henderson's studio on The Crescent was actually nothing more than a wooden studio, and in the April 1861 Census, he was still listed as a shoemaker.

Image found via internet

Morecambe (1932)

Figure of Eight Park, Morecambe (1932)

Lancaster (1937-1939)

37 China St, Lancaster (1937-1939)

Morecambe (1932-935)

57 Euston Rd, Morecambe (1932-1935)

Lancaster

78a Damside St, Lancaster (1865)

Image from the internet, newspaper clip courtesy of Rob Whalley

Lancaster (1868)

6, Stonewell, Lancaster (1868)

Image courtesy of Rob Whalley

Morecambe (1924-1938)

8/9 Marine Parade (1924-1938)

Morecambe (1864-1889)

The Crescent, Morecambe (1864-1886)

22a The Crescent, Morecambe (1886-1889)

The Horrobine's studio is the earliest professional practice I have come across so far in Morecambe, It appears to have been started in 1864 by William Horrobine, her husband, though it may also have been a partnership, and Elizabeth, after William's death, continued the business, claiming it was established in 1858.

CDV from my own collection.

Morecambe (1863)

The Crescent, Morecambe (1863)

The Horrobine's studio would seem to be the earliest studio establishment working in Morecambe. A partnership with his wife, though they both used their own names only on their work. (See above listing for Elizabeth Horrobine for more info).

CDV from my own collection.

Lancaster (1932-1935)

I was able to put the name Paardveldt to C.E. Horsfield after I realised that "Paardveldt" is Dutch for "Horse field" and they both have the same address simultaneously.

16 Penny St, Lancaster (1932-1935)

Scan courtesy of Susan Kennedy

Lancaster (1909)

45 South Road, Lancaster (1909)

Lancaster (1854), Morecambe (1855)

One of Lancaster's earliest photographers, and seemingly the first person to take photographs in Morecambe (July-August 1855).

In front of the Assembly Rooms, Lancaster (October 1854)

Morecambe (1933-?)

Stella Huish (née Grossi, c.1884–1964) was born in Liverpool and was a prominent Morecambe studio photographer based at 4 Northumberland Street. Specialising in "Stickybacks"—the affordable, small-format portraits pioneered by her family—she also served her community as an air raid warden during World War II.

4/6/8 Northumberland St, Morecambe (1932-?)

Lancaster (1912-1914)

4 Great John St, Lancaster (1912-1914)

Photo of King George V at Lancaster Castle (24/8/12) by W. Johnston from my own collection.

Lancaster (1866-1869)

Damside St, Lancaster (1866-1869)

CDV from my own collection

Morecambe (1896-1898)

People's Photo Studio, 3 Euston Rd, Morecambe (1896 - 1898)

Lancaster (1912-1914)

86 Coulston Road, Lancaster (1912-1914)

Lancaster (1934)

30 Edward St, Lancaster (1934)

Lancaster (1909-1939)

3 China St, Lancaster (1909-1932)

6 China St, Lancaster (1932-1939)

Cabinet card from my own collection

(now sold)

Lancaster (dates unknown)

I know nothing sadly of this photographer.

Image found via internet

Morecambe (1935)

11 West St, Morecambe (1935)

Lancaster (1935)

82 Church St, Lancaster (1935)

Morecambe (1932-1935)

Queen St, Morecambe (1932-1935)

Lancaster (1899-1914)

22 Market St, Lancaster (1899-1914)

Lancaster (1885)

Corn Market St, Lancaster (1885)

Morecambe (c. 1880)

Rembrandt Studio, The Crescent, Morecambe (C. 1880)

Image found via internet

Morecambe

West End Studio, Morecambe

Cabinet card from my own collection

Morecambe (1909)

Alexandra Rd, Morecambe (1909)

Morecambe (1912-1914)

104 Clarendon Rd, Morecambe (1912-1914)

Lancaster (1889-1898)

Elm House Studio, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster (1895-1898)

Another photographer of whom there is no record in Gillian Jones' reference of Lancashire's Professional Photographers.

Image courtesy of eBay seller

Lancaster (1889)

Elm House Studio, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster (1889)

Cabinet card from my own collection

Lancaster and Morecambe (1854)

87 Market St, Lancaster (1854)

Portable studio, Morecambe (1858)

Possibly Lancashire's first photographers, at the beginning of October 1853, both Partington and Pateson advertised their own independent studios in Preston. Within weeks, they had partnered. Using Preston as their base, they extended business to other towns including (in 1854) Lancaster (1).

In 1858, Robert Pateson acquired the use of a small wooden structure with a north-facing glass roof, which he used as a studio for taking portraits of families visiting the seaside at Morecambe (2.)

(1. info taken from "A Faithful Likeness" by Bernard & Pauline Heathcote).

(2. info taken from "Robert Pateson - Preston’s Forgotten Philanthropist" by John Garlington https://prestonhistory.com/preston-history-library/john-garlington-robert-pateson-biography/).

Advert image courtesy of Rob Whalley

Morecambe (1892)

Promenade Studio, Morecambe (1892)

CDV from my own collection.

Lancaster (1934)

74 Penny St, Lancaster (1934)

Lancaster (1898-1899)

The Palatine Studio, 7 Common Garden St, Lancaster (1898-1899)

Cabinet card from my own collection.

Lancaster, 1850

Mrs. Woodhouse's rooms, 87 Market Street, Lancaster (June 1850-1854)

1/2 plate tinted daguerreotype, depicting a middle-aged man in check trousers with a library backdrop, framed in passe-partout, probably by Joseph J. Ponder, itinerant photographer and the first photographer in Lancaster.

Images courtesy of Rob Whalley

Morecambe (1876-1914)

22a The Crescent, Morecambe (1881-1885)

Corn Market St, Lancaster (date?)

23 The Crescent Morecambe, (1885-1889)

27 Northumberland St, Morecambe (1886-1888)

Queen's Terrace, Morecambe (1889-1890)

9 The Crescent Morecambe, (1890-1909)

32 Northumberland St, Morecambe (1890-1914)

Alfred Ernest Clay Poole was originally from Manchester, and in 1869, after responding to an advertisement placed in the Manchester Courier by Elizabeth Horrobine (see above), at that time still based in Skipton, for a young man to assist her with printing and toning, it looks like he replied, and got the job! He then clearly followed the Horrobines to Morecambe after they moved there.

CDV from my own collection.

Lancaster (1899)

Beaumont St, Lancaster (1899)

Morecambe (1895-1901)

22 The Crescent, Morecambe (1895-1901)

Image found on the internet

Morecambe (1890)

Craven Terrace, Morecambe (1890)

Morecambe (1918)

38 Alexandra Rd, Morecambe (1918)

Morecambe (1934)

384 Heysham Rd, Morecambe (1934)

Morecambe (1873)

Queen St, Morecambe (1873)

Morecambe (1895-1899)

The Crescent, Morecambe (1895)

Palace Studio, Morecambe (1896)

36 Regent Rd, Morecambe (1899)

Cabinet card from my own collection

Morecambe (1896)

3 Victoria Arcade, Market St, Morecambe (1896)

Cabinet card from my own collection

Morecambe (1905)

Battery Promenade, Sandylands, Morecambe (1905)

Lancaster (1871-1896)

7 Sulyard Street, Lancaster (1871-1872)

21 Damside Street (1872-1881)

45 North Road (1881-1896)

CDVs from my own collection.

Lancaster (1901)

Elm House Studio, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster (1901)

CDV from my own collection.

Burton in Lonsdale (1889-1914)

Market St, Carnforth (1889-1905)

Burton in Lonsdale (1889-1914)

New Road, Kirkby Lonsdale (1912-1914)

Mrs (Elizabeth Eleanor) Sutcliffe) was the wife of Leeds-born photographer John Francis Sutcliffe (1836-91), who established studios at Carnforth, Burton-in-Kendal nearby Kirkby Lonsdale. John was a photographer by royal appointment to Edward, Prince of Wales (the future Edward VII). Following John’s death in 1891, Elizabeth took over the running of the business. She continued to run the studios cycling the 7 miles to Kirkby Lonsdale carrying all her equipment.

Pictured are sisters Elizabeth, Margaret and Mary Jane Wildman.

Cabinet card photos from my own collection.

Lancaster (1924)

43 China St, Lancaster (1924)

Lancaster (1884)

108 St. Leonard Gate, Lancaster (1884)

CDV from my own collection

Lancaster & Morecambe, 1901-1914

3 Euston Rd, Morecambe (1901-1914)

12a Cheapside, Lancaster (1909-1913)

Image found via internet

Lancaster, 1890's - 1945

A Lancaster photographer whose work won acclaim and recognition, nationally and internationally, far beyond the confines of his native city.

Image found via internet

Lancaster, 1924-1939

12a Cheapside, Lancaster (1924-1939)

Lancaster, 1929-1935

12a Cheapside, Lancaster (1929-1935)

Lancaster, c. 1880-1920

AKA "Umbrella Legs". Walker was a prolific photographer who captured real life in and around Morecambe Bay. Based in Sunderland Point, he apparently cut a fine figure with his large moustache and fitted suit with tight trousers, which earned him the moniker 'Umbrella Legs'.

Image found via internet

Lancaster & Morecambe, 1901-1938

Royal Studio, West End, Morecambe (dates ?)

Heysham Rd, Morecambe (1901-1909)

5 Garden St, Lancaster (1909-1911)

10 Regent Rd, Morecambe (1912-1938)

Cabinet card from my own collection.

Lancaster & Morecambe, 1901-1939

Brock St, Lancaster (1901-1909)

The Grand Studio, Grand Theatre, Lancaster (1910-?)

New Queen St, Morecambe (1924-1939)

Photo taken from the 1933 publication "Pictorial Record of the Great Fire Which Destroyed The Central Pier, Morecambe on Monday July 31st, 1933"

Portrait of a young man, taken c. 1910 by W. Webber in the Grand Studio, Lancaster.

Image found on the internet

Morecambe

West End, Morecambe (dates unknown)

Image found via internet

Morecambe, 1913

38 Alexandra Rd, Morecambe (1913)

Lancaster, 1869

Dalton Square, Lancaster (1869)

Lancaster, 1899

Elm House Studio, Meeting House Lane, Lancaster (1899)

CDV from my own collection.

Morecambe, 1892

Market St, Morecambe (1892)

Morecambe, 1889-?

Victoria Buildings, Morecambe (1889-?)

Cabinet card from my own collection

Morecambe, 1896-1905

62 Euston Rd, Morecambe (1896)

67 Euston Rd, Morecambe (1896)

9 Westover St, Morecambe (1899)

Lancashire Rd, Morecambe (1899)

Lyric Building, Morecambe (1901)

58 Euston Rd, Morecambe(1905)

93 Clarendon Rd, Morecambe (1905)

Lancaster, 1931-1934

59a King St, Lancaster (1931-1934)

Morecambe, 1899-1901

Promenade East and Skipton St, Morecambe (1899-1901)

Carte De Visite from my own collection

Morecambe, 1885

36 Queen St, Morecambe (1885)

I'm curious to know if this might be the same William Woodhouse, as the famed Morecambe painter. He is certainly known to have rented a shop on Queen Street in the mid 1880s, just around the corner from his home on Queens Terrace, and had mastered photography as an aid in his painting, so it seems quite likely, and would be consistent with a young artist needing supplementary income before his painting career became commercially established.

Lancaster, 1929-1935

22 Market St, Lancaster (1929-1935)

Image found via internet