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Burton Brothers

 Organization

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:

3765 - In the Puias - Tokaanu - Lake Taupo - King Country. Burton Bros. Dunedin

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1111/2/33
Scope and Contents

Two Māori women and two Māori children bathing in hot pools, surrounded by rocks. The women are clothed (one wrapped in fabric, one wearing a European style dress), sitting on rocks with their legs/feet in the water. The children are sitting in the water (possibly naked). Long grass/tussocks in background. 10mm fading around edges. Large black spot over image title.

Dates: 1868 -1898

3776 - Waihi - Lake Taupo - King Country. Burton Bros. Dunedin

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1111/2/17
Scope and Contents

View of Lake Taupo and shoreline. Wooden sailboat on edge of lake. Wooden structures/buildings and fences next to lake. Hills in background. Person standing on shore and another person sitting on shore with dog. Two people sitting in foreground with dog. 10mm fading around side and bottom edges. Pale spots visible along left side and top of image.

Dates: 1868 -1898

3778 - At Tokaanu - Lake Taupo [following words are illegible]- Burton Bros. Dunedin

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1111/2/32
Scope and Contents

Close up view of six Māori women/girls in woven/feathered cloaks (two standing behind remaining four who are sitting/reclining on mats) in front of wooden whare entrance. Severe fading 15mm along left edge of image and 10mm along top edge. Slight fading along other edges. Spots visible throughout image.

Dates: 1868 -1898

3780 - Te Heu Heu - At Tokkano - King Country. Burton Bros. Dunedin

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1111/2/34
Scope and Contents

Portrait of Te Heu Heu (head and torso, looking towards his left), wearing feathered cloak. Long pounamu earring in right ear. Carrying oval paddle/club with strap wrapped around right hand, and standing in front of a building. Moko possibly enhanced after photograph taken. Fading 10mm around bottom and side edges, and slight fading along top edge. Surface tear in top right corner. Spots visible in left top corner.

Dates: 1868 -1898

3796 - Ngahui - At Papakai - King Country. Burton Bros. Dunedin

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1111/2/40
Scope and Contents

Portrait of Māori person carrying Māori child on their back, both wrapped in a tartan blanket. Adult has short hair and is smoking a pipe. Large flax bushes and trees in background. 10mm fading around edges. Small tear/crease along bottom edge, near righthand corner.

Dates: 1868 -1898

3799 - Gigantic Cabbage Tree - Papakai - King Country. Burton Bros. Dunedin

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1111/2/46
Scope and Contents

Portrait view of two large cabbage trees, surrounded by smaller trees. Man in Māori cloak standing on left side of trees. Another man sitting in foreground near bottom right corner of image. 10mm fading along side and bottom edges. Small piece of bottom right corner missing. White scratch mark above image title, and white mark below image title.

Dates: 1868 -1898

3807 - Ngaruhoe - (Tongariro) - Active Volcano. Burton Bros. Dunedin

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1111/2/25
Scope and Contents

Portrait format view of small waterfall tumbling over rocks into river in foreground. Vegetation and hills in middle distance. Mt Ruapehu seen faintly in background. 10mm fading along bottom edge, and 5mm fading along side edges.

Dates: 1868 -1898

3815 - Ruapehu. Burton Bros. Dunedin

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1111/2/24
Scope and Contents

View of snow-capped Mt Ruapehu. Rocky river in foreground winding between trees/vegetation and cliffs. Slight fading 5mm around edges. Faint stain along top of image.

Dates: 1868 -1898

3820 - Ketetahi - Steam Holes - Tongariro. Burton Bros. Dunedin

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1111/2/27
Scope and Contents

View of steamholes in rocky vegetation-covered hillside. 10mm fading around right and bottom edges. 5mm fading around left and top edges. Crease mark in bottom right corner. Faint scratch marks visible in centre of image.

Dates: 1868 -1898

3825 - Ngaruahoe & Ruapehu - from summit of Tongariro. Burton Bros. Dunedin

 Item
Identifier: Arch 1111/2/26
Scope and Contents

View of Ngaruahoe and Ruapehu from summit of Tongariro. Man with dog standing on rock in foreground, looking towards mountain. Dark spots visible on mountain and sides of image. 5mm fading around side and bottom edges.

Dates: 1868 -1898