Looking for a Photographer in Auckland 1800s

[IreneH]

I trying to find when a photographer called "Clarke Bros(late Crombies) opposite Union Bank, Queen St, Auckland." came into being.
I have just gotten hold of a photo of a gentleman and the only clue to who the man is, is the name of the photographer who took the photo. Knowing just when this photographer setup shop may very well tell me who this young man is.

Anyone got any ideas?

If this is who I think it is, it is going to be a very exciting find.

Many thanks

Irene

[Coromandel]

From old newspapers on the Papers Past site, the Clarke Bros business seems to have been operating from Queen Street from the early 1870s to the mid 1880s.

Their predecessors Messrs Crombie and Webster, photographers, Queen street were still in business in 1871: photographs of hot springs were available from them (Auckland Star, 13 November 1871)

Clarke Bros had appeared by 1874:
'Wanted, a smart active Lad.- Apply to Clarke Bros., photographers, Queen-Street'
(Auckland Star, 4 April 1874)

They were still there 1884 when there was a fire at a neighbouring property, a draper's shop (Auckland Star, 13 September 1884)

But by 1885 one Mr Clarke had disappeared:
'At a meeting of the Hibernian Society, owing to the heavy expense which would be incurred to bring the late officer back, that no action be taken in the matter. The name of the absconder is Clarke, recently carrying on business as a photographer in Queen-street.'
(Wanganui Chronicle, 3 July 1885)

Of course just because one member of the business disappears doesn't mean that the business folded then . . . further research will be needed to see what happened next.

[IreneH]

Thank you Coromandel!!

Wow just what I was hoping for!

Irene

[Quentin]

Irene - I caught your excitement when you said you had just got hold of this photograph!!!! I am in the position of having quite a few beautiful professional photos taken early days Christchurch and other places in NZ - obviously by people in, or connected to, my family, but no one has recorded names on the back. When I consider how I could 'make some researcher's day' by supplying a photo, and yet I cannot because no one knows who they are! I also have several official wedding photos of named people, but the couples did not have any children - so who to give to? I am 99% Pack Rat/Squirrel/Magpie - at least I know that on this site no one will tell me to 'discard' these precious items - I'll just have to wait until someone in the extended family starts searching for their aunts and uncles. My reply to folks who tell me to get rid of historical items, is that without people like us there would be empty museums!
Cheers - Quentin

[IreneH]

Quentin please hung on to those photos. You never know when some one will pop up looking for them. We are now 99% sure that the photo is of a young man we have been trying to get information on for years. I'm about to go on to the gossip forum and brag.

Irene

[Hugh Thompson]

Hi Irene, the listings for photographers in the Australasian Federal Directory of 1887, "Clark" and was still in Queen Street Auckland, no other names mentioned.
Hugh.

[IreneH]

Thanks Hugh. One brother did a runner, but the other may very well have stayed in business. The name on the back of the photo is "Clarke" possibably the same same person.

Irene

[Hugh Thompson]

My mistake Irene, it is Clarke Bros in the book, (senior moment),I had a look this morning under the alphabetical section and it's the same as in the professions listings.
Hugh.

[IreneH]

Thats ok - I have those to