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Victorian Whitby Through the Magic Lantern
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At the end of the 19th century, Whitby was one of the most photographed towns in England because of the remarkable pictures taken by local phorographer Frank Sutcliffe.
Although photography was sixty years old by then and portrait studios were commonplace in our towns and cities, only a handful of British, professional photographers were taking pictures of ordinary people going about their everyday lives. Those of the highest calibre took technically accomplished and beautifully composed images that, over one hundred and twenty years later, enable us to step back in time and experience fragmentary moments in the lives of our Victorian ancestors.
This book reproduces text relating to Whitby from a Victorian travel guide and photographs of Whitby taken by Graystone Bird. Graystone was a professional photographer who won many awards for his photographs but is now virtually unknown because of the 'forgotten' format in which his images were published ... glass 'magic lantern' projection slides.
Andrew Gill
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Excerpt from the beginning of Graystone Bird's "Victorian Whitby through the Magic Lantern"
"Whitby is a town of much antiquity, but little historical importance. It owes its origin to the foundation of an abbey here in 658, by Oswy, King of Northumberland. No traces of the Romans have been found here; but Dunsley Bay, between two and three miles to the north-west, has been recognised as the Dunum Sinus (Dounon Kolpos) of Ptolemy, and is believed by many antiquaries to be the Proetorium of Antonus.
A Roman road, in some places distinctly marked, leads from this part of the coast to Cawthorne (supposed to be Delgotitia) and Malton (Derventio), whence it proceeds to York.
In Anglo-Saxon history, the name of this town is Streonshalh - a word regarding the precise etymology of which antiquarians are not agreed. The latter part of the word signifies a tower or high building ; and the former part is variously rendered "strand" or "bay". The more modern name of Whitby signifies "white town". By the year 1396 the fishing trade of Whitby seems to have become somewhat important, as the spiritual dues paid to the abbey amounted, at that date, to £52, 13s. 11d., for half a year, exclusive of the tithe fish used in the monastery. Whitby, however, continued to be only a small fishing town for many years subsequent to this period. In 1540 it consisted of less than 40 houses and 200 inhabitants.
...............................................................etc.......
The SALOON *admission 4d., day/tickets 6d.(, a handsome building facing the sea, and a little distance below the West Cliff, contains a large room, 90 ft. by 42 ft., for public entertainments, etc. To the north/west of it here is a lawn/tennis ground.
The WEST PIER is free to visitors, but this is its only recommendation."
Graystone didn't commend Whitby very highly but the important thing to us is his legacy of Magic Lantern Slides which Andrew has brilliantly put together is this outstanding book. The pictures are so clear and sharp, not like the blurred images reproduced below.
We highly recommend that you go out and buy it.
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Inner Harbour
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Inner Harbour
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The Herring Boats
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A Jet Stall
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Saturday in Whitby Harbour
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A Busy Time
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An Old Alley
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In the Harbour
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Discharging the Cargo
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199 Steps
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Wilson's Yard
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Tate Hill
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Packing Herring
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The Fishing Quay
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Fish Packed in Barrels
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A Fish Stall on the Quay
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The Swing Bridge
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The Swing Bridge Open
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Market Hall, Church Street
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Henrietta Street
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Cottages
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The Young People's Hour
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St Anne's Staith
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The Scarboro' Boat
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On the Scaur
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The Mussel Gatherers
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The Mussel Beach
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The Crag
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Tin Ghaut
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The River Bed at Low Tide
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Yachting
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The Outer Harbour
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The Two Piers
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West Cliff
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Khyber Pass
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The Sands
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'Map of India? on the Sands
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Regatta Day from the Lifeboat House
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Regatta Day
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Regatta Day
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Regatta Day
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A Bit of Old Whitby
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The 'Haven under the Hill'
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The Fisherman's Wife
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The Fisherman's Wife
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A Chip off the Old Block
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