PHOTOGRAPHS AND POSTCARDS

Augustus Kelham, ca. 1865
Photographs, 32 x 45cm
PG 2448

From the end of the nineteenth century photography was to become the most important medium for recording the changing landscape of Wales. The Department is the repository of the largest and most varied collection of photographs of Welsh interest in existence, consisting of almost one million images. Primarily they document the country's people and places from the earliest days of photography. Whilst topographic views comprising buildings are common, some collections centre wholeheartedly on buildings, particularly houses. This commercially produced album Photographic views of seats in Cheshire, Shropshire, Flintshire and Denbighshire by a professional photographer displays some forty views of mansions and their interiors in north east Wales and the borders.

Interestingly the owners are identified. Plas Teg near Mold, built ca. 1610 for Sir John Trevor, Surveyor of the Queen's Ships, is the earliest Renaissance style mansion in Wales. Like Ruperra Castle, north of Cardiff, it attempts to maximise display by recapturing the outlines of a towered castle.

MADRYN CASTLE

John Thomas, ca. 1880s
Photograph, 21 x 30 cm
John Thomas Collection (E57)

Located in Buan, near Pwllheli and originally home of the Madryn family, its romantic baronial reconstruction by the Jones Parry's dated from ca. 1830. Survived only by the roofless seventeenth century gatehouse the Castle was demolished by the local authority ca. 1968, the site becoming a caravan park.

The John Thomas Collection of over 3000 photographs is one of the richest illustrative sources depicting Welsh life and buildings between the 1860s and 1890s. Thomas an eminent Victorian photographer was born in Cellan, Cardiganshire and established his studio, the 'Cambrian Gallery', in Liverpool. During the summer months he travelled widely in Wales, photographing its people, towns and villages. North Wales is well represented, but there are also examples from his travels in the counties of Cardigan, Carmarthen and Pembroke.

RHUG [RUG]

John Thomas, ca. 1890
Photograph, 21 x 30 cm
John Thomas Collection (CC38)

Rhug, Corwen, rebuilt in a Grecian fashion with buff sandstone for Lord Newborough ca. 1800, probably to designs by Joseph Bromfield. Shown on the left is the new full height wing of the ballroom / billiard room, winter garden and conservatory. The wing which disturbed the house's symmetry was demolished in 1974.

MARFORD COTTAGES

Sunter Harrison, ca 1960s
Photographs, 9 x 13 cm
PB 9515

We are indebted to many amateur photographers and local historians such as Mrs Sunter Harrison who have captured on film buildings of interest, many of which no longer exist, Such photographs may not possess the finesse of professional views such as those in the Kelham album, but nevertheless they are records of commensurate value particularly for vernacular architecture.

Built by the local landowner between 1803 and 1815, Marford has been described as one of Wales's most charming estate villages. Several of the village's cottages have been listed by Cadw : Welsh Historic Monuments as buildings of special architectural or historic interest. The 'Marford Houses' album is one of twelve albums by Harrison showing buildings, many since demolished in Wrexham and district, 1959 - 71.

POSTCARDS

Various Photographers, ca. 1920
Postcards, 9 x 14 cm

Our picture postcards are the products of national, regional and local companies and individual photographers and predominantly date from the first two decades of the 20th. century - the 'Golden Age' of postcards. Overwhelmingly topographical, they too are a source of architectural knowledge for buildings such as chapels and urban businesses which by now may have been converted or demolished.