ST PETER PORT 1800's
These images were taken in St Peter Port in the 1800's. The photographers names are listed when known.

There is a separate listing for St Peter Port Harbour
Market Hill from the maybe the Assembly Rooms
Market Hill from the maybe the Assembly Rooms

This fine view comes from a salt print taken from a calotype negative and is believed to be earlier than the previous Market Hill image (approx 1855 - 1859) showing the Town Church and the shops in this area before they were demolished (c1874) to make way for the Vegetable Market (completed (1879).

The buildings were of brick construction and not granite, so as they were in Guernsey, not as old as one might presume.

The photograph has been taken at an elevated level from perhaps a window where the Guille Alles Library is now, but if not there very close to it.

At the time the photograph was taken the Guille Alles Library premises was the Assembly Rooms where the '60's' met. Thomas Guille and Frederick Alles library started in 1856 elsewhere. They leased some of the rooms in 1881 and in 1883 bought the whole premises. The two Gentlemen made extensions to the property and created a new entrance which is the one in use today.

One of the images following shows The retail shop of 'Sprake - BREAD AND BISCUIT BAKERS).

At the time of writing a reference cannot be found of William Sprake being on the 1851 Census, only in Pollet Street in the1861 Census, where his son, David (aged 19) is a listed as a Baker's Assistant. David is also listed as the baker at this street in an1862/3 almanack. In an almanack of 1875 there is no mention of David, but in the 1891 Census he is listed as a Bakers employee in the Pollet. William Sprake died in 1874.

The other shows the Town Clock and from the blurred minute hand, it can be seen the photograph had a very long time exposure (maybe from 4.33 to 4.42). The usual exposure time for a calotype was only a few minutes, so the lens on the camera which took this shot must have been closed down significantly.

The doors of the shops appear to be open, so unless it is a Sunday, it is amazing that no blurred images of people can be seen as the shops would not have been closed at that time in the afternoon. It is also feasible that the lens cap may have been replaced as soon as people entered the shot!

Ref: 2021-07-12-0001

Location: Market Hill St Peter Port

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Market Hill from the maybe the Assembly Rooms

This fine view comes from a salt print taken from a calotype negative and is believed to be earlier than the previous Market Hill image (approx 1855 - 1859) showing the Town Church and the shops in this area before they were demolished (c1874) to make way for the Vegetable Market (completed (1879).

The buildings were of brick construction and not granite, so as they were in Guernsey, not as old as one might presume.

The photograph has been taken at an elevated level from perhaps a window where the Guille Alles Library is now, but if not there very close to it.

At the time the photograph was taken the Guille Alles Library premises was the Assembly Rooms where the '60's' met. Thomas Guille and Frederick Alles library started in 1856 elsewhere. They leased some of the rooms in 1881 and in 1883 bought the whole premises. The two Gentlemen made extensions to the property and created a new entrance which is the one in use today.

One of the images following shows The retail shop of 'Sprake - BREAD AND BISCUIT BAKERS).

At the time of writing a reference cannot be found of William Sprake being on the 1851 Census, only in Pollet Street in the1861 Census, where his son, David (aged 19) is a listed as a Baker's Assistant. David is also listed as the baker at this street in an1862/3 almanack. In an almanack of 1875 there is no mention of David, but in the 1891 Census he is listed as a Bakers employee in the Pollet. William Sprake died in 1874.

The other shows the Town Clock and from the blurred minute hand, it can be seen the photograph had a very long time exposure (maybe from 4.33 to 4.42). The usual exposure time for a calotype was only a few minutes, so the lens on the camera which took this shot must have been closed down significantly.

The doors of the shops appear to be open, so unless it is a Sunday, it is amazing that no blurred images of people can be seen as the shops would not have been closed at that time in the afternoon. It is also feasible that the lens cap may have been replaced as soon as people entered the shot!

Ref: 2021-07-12-0001

Location: Market Hill St Peter Port

Buy this print online:

 
Item added to cart