William Constable's Photographic Institution in Brighton

William Constable had paid £1,000 to Beard for a licence to take daguerreotype portraits in Brighton. Constable opened his Photographic Institution to the public on Monday 8th November 1841. Before the week was over, Constable wrote to his sister Susanna and gave a progress report on his new enterprise:

“I opened my concern of business last Monday – for the first day or two I took but very little money indeed . . . I could not help feeling anxious and nervous, although the result was what I reasonably ought to have expected – But I feel every day that I am growing in notice and have no doubt that I am gaining a very fast and respectable foothold here . . . I am crowded with visitors all day – from 11 to 4 . . . there is nothing against me but the lateness of the season.”

William Constable seated in front of Cruikshank's 1842 picture of an early daguerreotype studio.

 

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Website last updated: 23 December, 2002

 

This website is dedicated to the memory of Arthur T. Gill (1915-1987), Sussex Photohistorian

 




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