London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company

London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company

Premises of London Stereoscopic Company (right) on Regent Street, c. 1910, from an old postcard
Company type	Private
Industry	Photography
Founded	1854; 170 years ago (1854)
Defunct	1922; 102 years ago (1922)
Headquarters	54 Cheapside, London 313 Oxford Street, London 108–110 Regent Street, London
Key people	George Swan Nottage (founder), Howard John Kennard (founder), Thomas Richard Williams, William England
Products	Photographs, stereo cards, postcards, novelties[1]

The London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company was founded in 1854 by George Swan Nottage and Howard John Kennard.^[2] Known initially as the London Stereoscope Company, in 1856 it changed its name to the London Stereoscopic Company, then in May 1859, became the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company. For most purposes, however, it was (and still is) referred to as the London Stereoscopic Company (LSC).

The firm appears to have been based originally at 313 Oxford Street, with an agent, William Williams, at 29 Moorgate Street. It soon opened its own branch in the City of London at 54 Cheapside, which is first recorded in 1856.^[3] The Oxford Street store relocated to 108–110 Regent Street in 1866–1867.^[a]

The London Stereoscopic Company was dissolved in 1922,^[8] although a business bearing the same name was established in 2005,^[9] championed by rock guitarist Brian May.^[8]

Photographers

Its principal photographer was William England and also featured Thomas Richard Williams. Edward Pocock 1843–1905. Edward Pocock 'an artist about to travel for the same Company to take photographs and (make) sketches of places of interest for publication in England. Date lacking but witnessed by Sir Thomas White, Lord Mayor of London.^[10]

Prints from Robert Howlett's photographs were published after his death in 1859.^[11]

• 
  Niagara Falls (c.1858)
• 
  John Stuart Mill (c.1870)
• 
  Annie Besant (1880s)
• 
  Frances Gqoba of the African Choir (1891)
• 
  Laurence Doherty (1900)

Notes

1. In newspapers of the period, the Regent Street address first appears in 1866, but is given as number 110 only.^[4] The following year, this becomes 108–110^[5] and there is reference to a "new" photographic studio.^[6] In two adverts appearing in different publications on 21 December 1867, the company is stated as being at 108–110 and 110 Regent Street, so the fact that only number 110 is mentioned may not necessarily imply that the company did not occupy number 108 also.^[6][7]

References

1. "Recreative Scientific Amusements". The Birmingham Journal. Vol. 45, no. 2526. 16 January 1869. p. 6. Retrieved 8 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
2. Webb, David (2001). "The Photographic Studios of Regent Street 1850–1875". In Saunders, Ann Loreille (ed.). London Topographical Record. Vol. 28. London: London Topographical Society. p. 133. ISBN 0902087436 – via HathiTrust.
3. Norton, Russell (1989). "Foreign Affairs" (PDF). Stereo World. Vol. 16, no. 2. National Stereoscopic Association. pp. 22–27. Archived (PDF) from the original on 31 March 2022. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
4. "Public Caution – In Chancery. Re Parent Parlour Steam Engine". The Morning Post. No. 29033. London. 29 December 1866. p. 4. Retrieved 8 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
5. "Zœtrope; or, "Wheel of Life"". The Weekly Register and Catholic Standard. Vol. 36, no. 25. London. 21 December 1867. p. 14. Retrieved 8 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
6. "Amusements". The City Press. No. 526. London. 15 June 1867. p. 6. Retrieved 8 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
7. "Zœtrope; or, "Wheel of Life"". The Illustrated London News. Vol. 51, no. 1460–1461. London. 21 December 1867. p. 14. Retrieved 8 October 2022 – via British Newspaper Archive.
8. May, Brian (2008). "Introduction to the London Stereoscopic Company (and T. R. Williams)". London Stereoscopic Company. Archived from the original on 24 March 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
9. "London Stereoscopic Company Limited". Companies House. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
10. Nottage, George Swan (1876–1877). "Declaration by George Swan Nottage of 54 Cheapside, London, managing partner of the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company". National Archives. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
11. Answers, Profile of Robert Howlett

External links

• London Stereoscopic Company revival website
• London Stereoscopic Company collection at the National Portrait Gallery
• London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company collection at the Royal Academy
• LSC at University of Oregon
• LSC at Getty Images