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:
Sophia. Late Guide at Terraces. Wheeler & Son. CH CH
Woman wearing hat, pounamu, and blanket, sitting on a chair outside a wooden building. Window and doorframes decorated with Māori designs. Upturned bucket on left side of image. 20mm of fading around edges of image. Tear/small hole on left side of image.
Tawaiho. The Maori King, 1900-1923
Head and shoulders photograph of Tawaiho, the Māori King, facing slightly to the left (portrait format). Moko possibly enhanced after the photograph taken. Previously framed in an oval frame. Slight damage across the top of Tawaiho's hair. Tear in bottom right-hand corner.
Te [illegible]rua and Rotorua Natives 167
Portrait (in landscape format) of Māori family standing/seated in front of wooden building (half grass-roof, half corrugated iron roof). Some in Māori dress, some in European dress. Eight adults, four children. Harakeke/flax bush in foreground. Embossed in bottom right corner with J Martin, Auckland, N.Z. 5mm fading around edges. Writing added after image taken (?) - bottom left: possibly name of image, but has been cut off, and bottom right: 167.
"The old order changeth"
Display of Māori artifacts, including weapons, a kiwi, carved heads, woven objects, and framed portrait of Tawaiho. Includes lables with the words: Māoridom and Tawaiho. 550 J.M. written on photograph, and embossed with: J Martin, Auckland, N.Z in bottom right hand corner. Slight fading along right edge of photograph.