Brett Payne's Victorian & Edwardian Photograph Collection Victorian & Edwardian Photographers & Photographic Studios Home / Studio Index / England / Derbyshire / Derby / Diana Studio(s) The Diana Studio(s) of Derby (Prop. W. Warhurst)

The Diana Studio started operating in premises above the Carlton Shoe Shop at 45 St Peter's Street, Derby in late 1927 or early 1928, but they moved a short time later to 48 St Peter's Street. Craven (1993) lists the proprietor of the business, more often known as Diana Studios, as a W. Warhurst, and shows it operating at the same address until 1952. Entries have been found in the 1932 (Kelly), 1935 (Whipple) and 1941 (Kelly) trade directories.

Type I Used c. 1928 Postcard divided back	Type IIa Used c. 1928-1932 Postcard central stamp	Type IIb Used c. 1932-1940 Postcard central stamp	Type III Used c. 1945-1946 Mounted print name/address below photo

ID #: diana04 Source: Collection of Barry Muir Artist: Diana Studio of 45 St Peter Street, Derby (Over Carlton Shoe Shop) Negative No. - Size: Postcard Card Type: Type I Card Thickness: - Date: 24 February 1928 Notes: Handwritten on the reverse "FEB 24TH 1928" and "WALTER MUIR b. 1860 GOVAN." From Barry Muir: Walter Muir was born at Govan, near Glasgow, Scotland on 20 Nov 1860, and was a blacksmith. He died in Derby on 23 Nov 1934. Subject: Walter Muir (1840-1934), three-quarter length standing portrait in coat and bowler hat.

ID #: diana03 Source: Collection of Brett Payne Artist: Diana Studios of 48 St Peter's Street, Derby Negative No. 8341(?) Size: Postcard Card Type: Type IIa Card Thickness: - Date: Undated, but probably taken in the late 1920s or early 1930s Notes: Pencilled notes on the reverse are probably instructions for reprints, enlargements, etc. Subject: Unidentified woman, perhaps in her early to mid-20s, full length standing portrait with painted landscape backdrop, shaggy rug, table and flowers.

ID #: diana06 Source: Collection of Brett Payne Artist: Diana Studios of 48 St Peter's Street, Derby Negative No. - Size: Postcard (85.5 x 136.5 mm) Card Type: Type IIa Card Thickness: - Date: Undated, but probably taken in the late 1920s or early 1930s Notes: - Subject: Unidentified young girl, perhaps 4-6 years old, in gypsy costume, full length standing portrait with painted landscape backdrop and shaggy rug.

ID #: diana05 Source: Collection of Boz Artist: Diana Studios of 48 St Peter's Street, Derby Negative No. 37828 Size: Postcard (88 x 138 mm) Card Type: Type IIb Card Thickness: - Date: Undated, but probably taken c.1937 Notes: Corners have been damaged and/or trimmed. Subject: Unidentified boy, perhaps 10-12 years old, dressed as choirboy, with open book in hands, full length standing portrait with painted panelling backdrop, curtains and patterned carpet.

ID #: diana01 Source: Collection of Cynthia Maddock Artist: Diana Studios of 48 St Peter's Street, Derby Negative No. - Size: Postcard Card Type: Type IIb Card Thickness: - Date: Undated, but probably taken c.1939-1940 Notes: (from CM) My cousin Dorothy was born in 1936 in Bargate, Belper. Subject: Dorothy Whiteman, about 3-4 years old, in white dress, full length seated portrait with painted panelling backdrop, stool and patterned carpet.

ID #: diana02 Source: Collection of Cynthia Maddock Artist: Diana Studios of 48 St Peter's Street, Derby Negative No. - Size: Postcard Card Type: Type IIb Card Thickness: - Date: Undated, but probably taken c.1939-1940 Notes: (from CM) This is my aunt, Meryl Whiteman (n�e Bowmer of Ambergate). Meryl married Eric, my mother's brother. Subject: Meryl Whiteman, full length seated portrait with painted panelling & column backdrop, table with vase of flowers, stool and patterned carpet.

ID #: diana07 Source: Collection of Patricia Hurworth Artist: Diana Studios of 48 St Peter's Street, Derby Negative No. - Size: Mounted print (Mount 133 x 190 mm; Photo 117.5 x 164.5 mm) Card Type: Type III Card Thickness: - Date: Undated, but probably taken c.1945-1946 Notes: Subject: Patricia W. Berridge holding toy, about 2-3 years old, full length standing portrait, with painted panelling & column backdrop and cloth covered, cushioned bench; hand-coloured.

ID #: diana08 Source: Collection of Patricia Hurworth Artist: Diana Studios of 48 St Peter's Street, Derby Negative No. - Size: Paper print (101 x 88.5 mm) Card Type: - Card Thickness: - Date: Undated, but probably taken c.1945-1946 Notes: Roughly trimmed, possibly a discard Subject: Patricia W. Berridge holding toy, about 2-3 years old, full length seated portrait, with painted panelling & column backdrop and cloth covered, cushioned bench.

Historical Directories from the University of Leicester
Anon (1932) Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire 1932, Kelly's Directories Ltd., London.
Anon (1935) The Derby County Borough Directory 1935, R.D. Whipple, Son & Martin, Ltd., Derby.
Anon (1941) Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire 1941, Kelly's Directories Ltd., London.
Craven, Maxwell (ed.)(1993) Keene's Derby, Breedon Books, Derby, pp. 200-202. - by kind courtesy of Sonia Addis-Smith

Many thanks to Patricia Hurworth, Cynthia Maddock, Boz and Barry Muir for the kind contribution of images.