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:
5452 - Buller Gorge. Burton Bros. Dunedin
Portrait view of Buller Gorge flowing through bush-covered hills. Bush (including harakeke/flax) in foreground. 10mm fading around edges, with larger patch of fading in bottom left corner. Faint scratches/creases visible throughout image.
5465 - Buller Gorge - Hawk's Crag. Burton Bros. Dunedin
Portrait view of Buller Gorge/Hawk's Crag. Branches in foreground. Gorge in bottom right of image below rocky cliffside. Road cutting through cliffside, winding into distance. 10mm fading along left, bottom and top edges, and significant fading 20mm along right side. Large patch of fading in top right corner. Smudges and small dark spot visible throughout right side of image.
5488 - Wellington. Burton Bros. Dunedin
View of Wellington Harbour. Men walking along waterfront with ships docked on either side. Corner of large ship in left foreground. Large brick building in right foreground with an 'I' painted on the end wall. Two crane-like machines in front of building, with approx 50 wooden barrels between them. Buildings (including one with a clock tower) and hills in the distance. 5mm fading around edges of image, with larger patches along bottom edge.
5854 - Wellington
View of Wellington city taken from hillside. Wooden houses and trees in foreground. Large road on left side of image leading down towards harbour which has ships and boats in it. Hills and more buildings in the distance. Power lines (or scratches?) running up along left side of image. Several smudges on image. 10mm fading around edges.
Benita Davis collection
Burton Bros photo albums
Three volumes of photographs taken by Burton Bros.
Burton Brothers early Christchurch photographs
Photographs of early Christchurch taken by Burton Bros. Dunedin. Also includes those taken by F. Bradley & Co., E. Wheeler & Son and Standish & Preece.
Burton Brothers scenes of New Zealand photographs
Photographs of New Zealand towns and countryside produced by Burton Brothers. One photograph is unlabelled, but identified in the inventory inside the front cover.
Carved House Wairoa 156
Interior of wooden carved Māori meeting house in Wairoa. Embossed in bottom right corner with J Martin, Auckland, N.Z. 25mm fading along bottom edge.
[illegible] Buttress. JM. Pink Terrace. 266
View of pink terrace rock formations, including large buttress. Forest in background. Light fading 5mm around edges. Severe fading 15mm along left edge.