This pair of cartes de visite typify the type of inexpensive studio portrait produced in the 1860s and 70s. They are remarkably similar even though they were taken by two different studios on Westmoreland Street, Dublin. The crude tinting blurred the individual features and produces a mask-like appearance. Only the painted backdrop and furniture styles differentiate the studios from each other.
Despite the claims of excellence made by both studios, they display a standardisation of pose that the format’s detractors frequently pointed out. The craze for these inexpensive portraits reached its peak on the 1860s and this is reflected by the sheer number of studios on three of the main streets of the capital: Sackville Street (now O’Connell Street); Westmoreland Street and Grafton Street. This strip became known as ‘The photographic mile’ and at one time boasted over 60 studios.
The man with the tinted cheeks was taken by Forster’s who were according to an 1868 advertisement situated on the ‘drawing room’ floor of 30 Westmoreland Street. Access was through the front door of the New Medical Hall. Forster entered into several partnerships – in March 1862 he was in business with Mr. A.J. Scott, however, by February 16th, 1864 he was working alongside T.F. Haskoll. This partnership was in turn dissolved by 1864 when Haskoll set up on his studio own at 118 Grafton Street.
The firm of Lauder appears to have been more stable venture as it continued in business into the 20th century. Another branch of the family started the famous and highly successful Lafayette studio. The following advertisement by Lauder from 1878 gives an indication of the claims made by the studios “Lauder have made most important alterations and improvements in their principal galleries, by means of which photographs are now produced in half the usual time, thereby rendering them more natural, pleasing and successful, and have spared no expense in providing the best lenses and apparatus and a great variety of new and beautiful scenery accessories.”
Jacolette: 
Fantastic read on old photo’s in Dublin – I’m trying to research an ‘Artist & Photographer’ called J Walsh at 118 Grafton Street, Dublin to identify an old family photograph.
If you have any information/ tips for finding out about this guy, they’d be greatfully recieved!!
Hello Nick, I have looked into this and it appears J. Walsh was active in the late 1860s to 1875. I’ll send some more details to your e-mail account. Regards, Orla.
Orla, Hello, ive just come accross this site, J Walsh, artist and photographer was my great grandfather, I would be grateful for any information you could give me regarding his photography, I knew he worked at 118 Grafton ST, He died in 1882 when his son (my grandfather) was only 6 months old. His obit in the paper mentioned Mansfields of Grafton St, – its where BT is now. Thanks v. much, your site is fascinating and very valuable. Regards. Joan Doyle.
2012 just come across this thread, J Walsh photographer and artist who worked at 118 grafton st. was my great grandfather, I d Love to hear from Nick who has photos taken by him
Hi, I have one photo taken by E. Powell at 4 Earl St, Dundalk and one taken by LauderBros at 32 Westmoreland St, Dublin. Both taken in 1893. They are portraits of my great grandparents. I am very happy to share them with you. I believe that Orla intended to reply to me but I didn’t receive her message. Would be happy to upload these photos to jacollette if I knew how! Nick
Hi Joan,
I have only one photograph taken by J Walsh (what was his first name?)Although I am suspicious that it is of my great great grandfather, I have not proven this as yet. I don’t suppose you have an index?!! It is simply mounted on white card with a blue border which the photo is mounted inside, embosed at the base is ‘118 Grafton St, J.Walsh, Dublin’. The photo is of a smartly dressed man sat in a chair (facing right to left) with greying hair and beard, looking down at something he is holding in his right hand.
I hope that gives you an insight!
Thanks for your reply. I am afraid I have no
Further info than that given. This is the first
Link I have made. John Walsh died in 1880 aged 38. Could you take. Digital pic of yiur picture and
E mail it to me ?? Did. Orla who runs this site
Ever give you any further info. Joan
Hello, My name is Joan Doyle, and J Walsh is my great grandfather, I would be fascinated to see any photographs that are attributed to him, if that were possible at all. I m afraid he died quite a young man, aged 38 of congestion of the lungs, possibly TB which was rampant at the time, my grandfather was only 6 months old when he died, He lived on Haddington road at the time. He also had an address at albert place off grand canal st, and his occupation on his marriage certificate was artist, his death notice said photographer. I hope this is of interest to you, can you post your photo on this site, ? joan.
Hello, My name is Joan Doyle, and J Walsh is my great grandfather, I would be fascinated to see any photographs that are attributed to him, if that were possible at all. I m afraid he died quite a young man, aged 38 of congestion of the lungs, possibly TB which was rampant at the time, my grandfather was only 6 months old when he died, He lived on Haddington road at the time. He also had an address at albert place off grand canal st, and his occupation on his marriage certificate was artist, his death notice said photographer. I hope this is of interest to you, can you post your photo on this site, ? joan.
Not sure if you would be interested, but I have a photo of an “Elizabeth Garland nee Callan” taken 1893 at the Westmoreland St studio. Has a very fancy reverse side.
Also, one of a “Patrick Garland” also taken 1893 but at E J Powell in Dundalk.
Can email copies if required.
ATB Nick Stone
Hello Nick, They sound really interesting and I’d love to see. Thanks for getting in contact, Regards, Orla.
Hi Orla,
Could you give me an email address to which I can forward the photos.
Thanks.
Nick
Hi! I am trying to identify a photo of a man. On the back of the card it says “From the Photographic Studio of E. & J. Lauder 22, Westmoreland ST (Facing Ballast Office) Dublin.” The time period this may have been taken or an yother hints will be appreciated!! Terri
2012 just come across this thread, J Walsh photographer and artist who worked at 118 grafton st. was my great grandfather, I d Love to hear from Nick who has photos taken by him
Hi, I have one photo taken by E. Powell at 4 Earl St, Dundalk and one taken by LauderBros at 32 Westmoreland St, Dublin. Both taken in 1893. They are portraits of my great grandparents. I am very happy to share them with you. I believe that Orla intended to reply to me but I didn’t receive her message. Would be happy to upload these photos to jacollette if I knew how! Nick
Hi Joan,
I have one photo taken by E. Powell at 4 Earl St, Dundalk and one taken by LauderBros at 32 Westmoreland St, Dublin. Both taken in 1893. They are portraits of my great grandparents. I am very happy to share them with you. I believe that Orla intended to reply to me but I didn’t receive her message. Would be happy to upload these photos to jacollette if I knew how!
Nick
Thanks nick. But it was j Walsh I was particularly interested in as he was my great grand father. He died in 1882 aged 38. When mt grandfather was only 6 months old have you any pictures taken by him. Or how did you come across his name ? Joan
Hi Joan, Sorry but I don’t have any pictures taken by J Walsh. Actually, my reply to you was a mistake! I posted information about the photos I have back in 2010. Yesterday I received an email from the Jacolette site addressed to “Nick” – so I replied. I now see that the communications were to another “Nick” who also posted info. So sorry for wasting your time! Hope you have luck in tracking down the info you seek. All the best Nick Stone