Forums Forums Local News Glass Negatives Found Of The Wirral

Good pics Paul. Just had to buy the missus a new bathing suit, her old one has got a hole in the knee.

Great photos, good find paul.






Precious glass negatives provide intimate glimpse into the life of an Edwardian family





Paddling in the sea while smoking a pipe, dressed in a waistcoat, stiffly starched shirt and perky straw boater; out on a fishing trip with the family and gathering for an outdoor amateur production of Twelfth Night in an age before large screen TVs and games consoles.
These beautiful pictures provide an intimate spyglass




Dapper: Photographer Jack Urton takes a paddle with daughters Mary and Lois, complete with pipe and waistcoat. The images, taken by him in the early part of the 20th century, are now being exhibited at the Lady Lever Art Gallery


The precious glass negatives were recently discovered in an attic, and the prints are now being exhibited for the first time at the Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight Village on the Wirral.
They were taken in the early part of the 20th century by Jack Urton, a keen photographer, who lived on the Wirral peninsula. In them we see his wife, Biddy, and daughters, Mary and Lois, living through the glorious, carefree summers that preceded World War I.







That's entertainment: With friends for a production of Twelfth Night
































Little ladies: [L] Biddy unhooks a fish while on a boat, and little Lois is happily perched among some pot plants

We also meet an assortment of friends and relatives and sometimes even catch a glimpse of Jack himself.
The Urtons were a respectable middle-class family who appeared to spend much of their spare time indulging in simple outdoor pleasures.









Sitting pretty: Lois teaches her pet dog some tricks



The Wirral was then a popular tourist destination, drawing visitors from around the country. Many came to see the New Brighton Tower, a great landmark built in 1900 which stood taller than Blackpool Tower but lasted for only 20 years before being demolished.
And it was in its shadow, playing in the sand and swimming in the sea - wearing full-length bathing suits and caps - that the Urtons played out the loving family life that is captured



Festive message: The girls wish everyone a Merry Christmas, the Edwardian way



1910 Beachwear collection: Mary and Lois lark about in traditional bathing suits





Hitting the road: Father and photographer Jack pictured on the right



Innocent times: The Urton family and a friend attempt to catch dinner



THE MAIL

I wonder how many of those things are still hanging around undetected, in the American Civil war they reckon the most photographed war ever, around 3 million glass plates were used as windows and the likes during reconstruction, owing to the shortage of glass. What a waste and a loss to history that was.

I work at lady lever and we were given a talk on this exhibition last week before it opened to the public last friday.
i was going to put the story on the history section as jack urton lived in birkenhead, rock ferry and then higher bebington. He was a draughts man and had a office i believe in either rock ferry or new ferry.

The full story is on the national museums website at lady lever art gallery if any one would like to delve into the history of the family.

Cheers sue

why dont you before someone else duz.

ive got to much on at the mo,and we have a great set of people on here who do delve really well into local history. But yes i was going to find out more info in work my self first then thought i would get people on here to see if they could find any more info.

What a delight these pictures are ! Note the waistcoat, pocket watch and chain. Absolutely the thing when bathing obviously. Hope he managed to keep his pipe alight !

Pure innocence writ large. Thanks for finding these little gems.

The harlot!

The history section is there for all to use. Any one can post what they want and then its up to other members if they find it interesting or not to bother with. By the way jack urton did live in ROCK FERRY.

the story of this family and the glass negitives are in this mornings echo.

They lived in our house I think, John Penistone Urton bought the house in 1937, Mary Urton died in 1978 I believe and left the house to her carer. We have the orignial deeds which are pretty interesting, I need a huge scanner though as they are bigger than A3.

ask derekdwc, he might you out I'm sure hes got one that goes up to A3 :),just seen its your 1st post so you might not know him still ask him, send him PM