Burton Brothers
Dates
- Existence: 1866 - 1898
Biography
In 1866 Walter John Burton immigrated to Dunedin and set up the Grand Photographic Saloon and Gallery in Princes Street. Before coming the New Zealand he had worked with his brothers at their father's prominent studio John Burton and Sons in Nottingham which was patronised by Queen Victoria and other members of the Royal Family.
In 1868 he was joined by his brother Alfred Henry Burton. The firm became known as Burton Bros and was very successful. Alfred travelled extensively taking photographs or 'views' to be sold and Walter looked after the portrait studio. The brothers did not always get on and in 1877 their partnership came to an end. Alfred continued on with the business while Walter struck out on his own and set up the Royal Gallery of Photography on Georges St in 1878. It was unsuccessful and on 10 May 1880 he committed suicide.
After Walter left the firm Alfred and later his son Harold continued to travel all over New Zealand as well as Samoa. Fiji and Tonga to take photographs. When Harold lost his arm in 1890 much of this topographical photography was taken over by an employee, George Moodie.
In around 1882 he went into partnership with Thomas Mintaro Muir, the firm continued to flourish under this partnership. Alfred retired in 1898 and the firm was brought out by Thomas Muir and a new partner George Moodie to become another prominent New Zealand photography studio, Muir & Moodie.
Found in 124 Collections and/or Records:
2992 1/2 - Wellingon - From S. W. Burton Bros. Dunedin
View of Wellington Harbour taken from hillside. Two-storeyed building on tree-covered hill in foreground, with view over Wellington city. Harbour, ships, and hills in the distance. 5mm fading around top, bottom, and right edges. 10mm fading along left edge. Small dark marks visible in lighter sections of image.
3115 - Mt Egmont - From Recreation Ground - New Plymouth. Burton Bros. Dunedin
3136 - Nikau Palms - Hutt - Wellington. Burton Bros. Dunedin
Portrait view of two nikau palms. Grass in foreground and other types of trees in background. 10mm fading along side and top edges. 25mm fading along bottom edge, with larger patches in corners. Spots of fading visible throughout image. Scratches/smudges in top right corner.
3153 - Napier. Burton Bros. Dunedin.
View of Napier township and coastline taken from hillside. Large forest trees in foreground, Napier township in middle distance, and coastline on left side on image. Slight fading 5mm along bottom edge. Small marks visible in sky and sea areas.
3157 - Napier. Burton Bros. Dunedin
View of Napier township and coastline taken from a hill. Ocean and beach on left side of image, and hills in the distance. Buildings include "William's Ironmonger" and "Large & Townley's Furniture". Rip in bottom right corner. 5mm fading along left and top edges, and 15mm fading along right and bottom edges. Small dark marks visible throughout image. Smudge in top left corner.
3160 - Napier - from Bres [illegible]. Burton Bros. Dunedin.
View of Napier taken from hillside. Large pine tree in foreground. Wooden buildings and houses in middle distance. Harbour in background. Slight fading 5mm around edges.
3163 - Napier - From the Bluff. Burton Bros. Dun[illegible].
View of Napier township and coastline taken from a bluff. Large hill in foreground with wooden buildings and areas of land sectioned off. Buildings include small lighthouse. Township and coastline in background. Minor fading 3mm around perimeter of image. Smudge on surface in top left corner. Remnants of piece of paper stuck to image near bottom left corner. Small dark marks visible throughout image. NB: Same image as Arch 1111/1/17
3163 - Napier - From the Bluff. Burton Bros. Dun[rest of word illegible].
View of Napier township and coastline taken from a bluff. Large hill in foreground with wooden buildings and areas of land sectioned off. Buildings include small lighthouse. Township and coastline in background. Crease marks in top right corner and bottom left corner. Minor fading 3mm around perimeter of image. NB: Same image as Arch 1111/3/37
3415 - In 40 Mile Bush. Burton Bros. Dunedin
Portrait view of dirt road running through bush/forest. Man in hat driving horse and carriage along road towards camera. Foliage includes punga/tree ferns. 10mm fading around edges. Small dark marks visible in pale areas of image.
3427 - Manawatu Gorge. Burton Bros. Dunedin
View of Manawatu Gorge. River running next to rocky shoreline, between tree-covered hillsides/cliffs. Power pole and power lines on left side of image. Foliage includes harakeke/flax bushes and punga/tree ferns. 5mm fading around edges. Dark line in upper right corner. Small dark marks and creases/scratches visible on image surface.