Soper & Stedman, London Photographers 1885-94


Soper & Stedman Ltd, London Photographers 1885-94
A partnership between Thomas Henry Soper & Frederick James Stedman.

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Family; of Thomas Henry Soper (1870-1903)

  • - parents John Soper m.Charlotte Louisa H Descryver Jul>Sep 1867, Croydon, Surrey (bmd);
  • - John Soper b.Southsea, Hants & Charlotte Louisa HARVIG b.London [from igi &* '81cen]
  • - brother John Richard Soper bapt 9 Dec 1868, St Mary, Battersea [igi] : John Richard b.Jul>Sep 1868 & d.Apr>Jun 1869 age 0 both Wandsworth
  • - Thomas Henry Soper b.Apr>Jun 1869, Wandsworth, Lon; bpt 13 Sept All Saints, Wandsworth
  • - 1871 Thomas Henry Soper (1870-1903) bpt.27 Jan 1871, St Mary, Battersea :
  • - '71cen John 33 builders clerk at Clyde Villa, Battersea, b.Southsea, Hants; Charlotte L H 29 b.Lon; Thomas H 1 b.Battersea; also Emma Leuvars 18 gen dom serv b.Truro, Cornwall; scan
  • - '81cen Thomas 11 scholar at 172 Bridge Rd, Battersea with parents John 40 a builders manager & Charlotte 38 with a general domestic servant Kate Kyr 18 b.Wilts; scan
  • - '91cen Thomas 21unm photographic artist (self employed) b.Battersea with partents John 52 auctioneer & estate agent (employee) at 170 Bridge Rd, (St Marys), Battersea; b.Southsea, Hants; Charlotte 49 b.St Martins, Lon & gen serv Elizabeth Jains 15 b.Batterseascan
  • - '91cen His uncle Thomas, an architect (next door '91cen); father an architectual draughtsman & grandfather Richard (m.1831 Hants) & d.1867 when clerk of works for Battersea development
  • - 1895 Thomas Henry Soper m.Rhonda Martin Apr>Jun 1895, Liskeard, Cornwall (bmd) (Rhoda b.Talland, Cornwall) : 1 daughter :
  • - 1896 son Charles Edward Soper b.Jul>Sep 1896, Wandsworth; d.1916 WW1
  • - 1901 dau Cecilia Marion Soper b.Apr>Jun 1901, Wandsworth, Lon; unm in 1942
  • - '01cen Thomas H 31 photographer (own account) at 37 Santos Rd. Wandsworth, b.Battersea, Rhoda 30 b.Talland, Con, Charles E 4 b.Wandsworth & visiter Louisa Pearce 44unm b.Cornwall; scan
  • - 1903 Thomas Henry Soper d.4 Jan 1903, of 37 Santos Rd, Wandsworth, Sy; administration London 4 Feb 1903 to Rhoda Soper, [his] widow; estate �167 4s; from Probate Calender, scan [d.Jan>Mar, Wandsworth, age 33]
  • - 1905 mother Charlotte Louisa H Soper (c1842-1905) d.Jan>Mar 1905, Lambeth, Lon, age 63
  • - 1906 Rhoda Soper 1906; Teacher Registration 1 Jun 1918 : Board of Education Certificate : City & Guilds of London Institute, Cert in dressmaking; National Union of Teachers & Tailor's Cutters Certs; Certs in Pastel Light & Shade, Principles of Teaching & Child Study; Domestic Economy, Hygiene & first aid, Health & Infant Care & Medallion for Home Nursing; Ass Mistress at St Michaels School, Southfields, SW 1906-8; Bronesbury C E Boys School NW 1908-30; professional address 70 Longstone Ave, Harlesden, NW10 : Teachers Registration Dept (from EnglishOrigins.com) scan
  • - '11cen Rhoda Soper 40 widowed elementary school teacher (employee) {m.16y, 2 births; 2 alive} in 5 rooms at 220a Roundwood Rd, Willesden, b.Talland, Con & her housekeeper & aunt, Emma Pearn 53unm b.Laqnsalles, Con scan
  • - '11cen Charles Edward Soper 14 & Cecilia Marion Soper 9 orphan inmates at London Orphan Asylum, Watford, Herts, both b.Wandsworth, Lon scan & scan b
  • - 1908 wife Rhoda, ass mistress at Bronesbury C E Boys School NW 1908-30; professional address 70 Longstone Ave, Harlesden, NW10
  • - '11cen Charles Edward Soper 14 inmate in orphans home at Watford, Herts '11cen & d.1916 WW1 address then 222 Roundwood Rd, Willesden (mother's address)
  • - '11cen wife Rhoda Soper 40 widowed elementary school teacher {m.16y, 2 births; 2 alive} in 5 rooms at 220a Roundwood Rd, Willesden, b.Talland, Cornwall & her housekeeper & aunt, Emma Pearn 53unm b.Laqnsalles, Con scan
  • - '11cen father John 73 widower of private means lodging at [28 Norwood/Dulwich/Streatham/Hill/W], Lambeth
  • - '11cen children Charles Edward Soper 14 & Cecilia Marion Soper 9 orphan inmates at London Orphan Asylum, Metropolitan District Imbecile Asylem, Watford, Herts, both b.Wandsworth, Lon scan & scan b [?yet mother alive]
  • - 1914 father? a John Soper (c1839-1914) d.Jul>Sep 1914, Wandsworth, Lon, age 75
  • - 1916 son Charles Edward Lance Corporal, London Regt (Royal Fusiliers), mother Mrs Rhoda; home, 222 Roundwood Rd, Willesden, Lon; d.1 Jul 1916 age 19, Pas de Calais, France; bur/monument Gommecourt British Cemetery, Hebuterne: from war deaths: photo on right from gommecourt.co.uk
  • - 1918 wife Rhoda, Teacher Registration 1 Jun 1918 : Board of Education Certificate : City & Guilds of London Institute, Cert in dressmaking; National Union of Teachers & Tailor's Cutters Certs; Certs in Pastel Light & Shade, Principles of Teaching & Child Study; Domestic Economy, Hygiene & first aid, Health & Infant Care & Medallion for Home Nursing; Ass Mistress at St Michaels School, Southfields, SW 1906-8; Bronesbury C E Boys School NW 1908-30; professional address 70 Longstone Ave, Harlesden, NW10 : Teachers Registration Dept (from EnglishOrigins.com) scan
  • - 1939 Rhoda Soper 68 widow elementary school teacher retired (b.31 Oct 1870) at 14 Oak Park Terrace, Liskeard, Con 39cen; with Ethel Pearce b.4 Feb 1899 married unpaid dom service & William Olver b.18 Jul 1874 widower divisional inspector, Cornwall & Rhoda 3rd scan
  • - 1942 Mrs R Soper d.1942; devoted teacher for many years; member of Willesden Branch, on committee; Hon Sec to MAF 1929-39, & carried on work after retirement; Sympathy to dau Miss C Soper; fron 'The Woman Teacher' 18 dec 1942 source : [Rhoda Soper (c1856-1942) d.Oct>Dec 1927, Blandford, Dor, age 71]

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    Career; Thomas Henry Soper (1870-1903) partly from Museum of London

  • - 1886 : Establishment claimed
  • - Soper & Stedman were English slide manufacturers & colourists in London (also referred to as Stedman & Soper) : source
  • - 1889 T Soper photographed the Liberal Club Bishop St, Leicester, Melton Mowbray, Lei; Oct 1889; smoking room (& entrance hall, refreshment, reading, dining & billiard rooms) at the ; Sep 1889; also a furniture set photographed in a studio, for a catalogue? Also Oct photos of Market Place & Ankle Hill, a large house in Melton Mowbray; photolondon.org
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  • - 1889 T Soper's architectural photos Chelsea Old Church, formerly St Luke's, Chelsea Embankment; 5 Jun 1889; also of "Old Swan House", Chelsea; [above] photolondon
  • - 1890 Thomas Henry Soper, Albert Studio, 170 Bridge Rd, Battersea, Sy; 20 May 1890 photo "Walter Slaughter, composer, � length figure holding eyeglass in right hand." also "head & bust full face" Soper; copyright owner & author; also same date; photo; "Scene in Polperro, Cornwall, with men, woman & tablet of 'Sunlight soap' on whitewashed wall." 15 x 20cm; Soper copyright owner & author of work
  • - 1891 T Soper; 7 architectural photos of Empire Music Hall, Newgate St, Newcastle Upon Tyne Jul/Aug 1891 (Photos by T Soper; taken by the Bedford Lemere Co architectural photographers, for them*) & photo Collingwood Restaurant, Groat Market, Newcastle Upon Tyne Jul 1891photolondon
  • - *Bedford Lemere & Co (architectural photographers; [also at 147 Strand 1867-1946 & took over Soper & Stedman�s studio, so was Soper working for them or Lemere bought his plates after 1897 liquidation?])
  • - Studio 1891-5, 170 Bridge Rd & Private address 1896-7 M of L
  • - 1891-5 T H Soper of Bridge Road, Battersea, SW; Cabinet photo of couple; ebay'd 2017 �4.20 [image right]
  • - 1892 Thomas Henry Soper Albert Studio, 170 Bridge Rd; 13 Feb 1892, copyright of photo; "C A Whitmore Esq MP seated".14 x 10cm Copyright Office, Stationers' Company; nationalarchives
  • - 1892 adverts in Optical Magic Lantern Journal Jan as a dissolving view artist 174 Bridge Rd & May 1900 at 11 Rose Terrace, Surrey Lane, Battersea Park : M of L
  • - Studio: 147 Strand, Westminster Feb 1894-1897. Successors to Albert Deneulain; succeeded by Bedford Lemere & Co. photolondon.org
  • - Soper & Stedman took photo of Royal Welsh Choir taken on the Balcony at the Albert Hall, London. Copyright Soper & Stedman, 147 Strand, London. Form completed with registration stamp 22 May 1894 : National Archives
  • - 1895 Soper & Stedman had electric light installed Oct 1894 ; limited company Aug 1895 National Archives
  • - 1894 Soper & Stedman, 147 Strand, Lon; 22 May 1894. Copyright owner of work: "Royal Welsh Choir on Balcony, Albert Hall, Lon". [ his parents address '81cen but they'd moved to 170 Bridge Rd by '91cen (with Thomas 21) implying business run at old home]
  • - 1895 Thomas Henry Soper 147 Strand, Lon. 17 Dec 1895 copyright author of photo; "Officers of 1 Suffolk Regt, at Tower of London. Copyright owner WW Rouch & Co 161 Strand
  • - 1895 T H Soper of Battersea 1 & 100's others contributed photographs in the supplement of 'The Graphic' Newspaper 10 Aug 1895; newspapers.bl.uk
  • - 1895 Soper & Stedman Ltd Company No: 44635; Incorporated in 1895 National Archives
  • - 1895 Thomas H Soper Charman of extrodinary general meeting of Soper & Stedman Ltd at 147 Strand; 16 Dec 1895; Resolution voluntarily wound up the company [confirmed 1 Jan 1896] London Gazette; & Board of Trade: Companies Registration Office: Files of Dissolved Companies 1895 National Archives
  • - 1896 - Soper & Stedman slit whan Frederick J Stedman left the partnership, late 1896, or early 1897, returning to business as a sole trader. slides.uni-trier
  • - 1896 Soper & Stedman 147 Strand W C, 1896-8, from photolondon.org [Pizza Express address right]
  • - 1896 Messrs Soper & Steadman of 147 Strand; Adverts Sept 1896 to Jun 1898, in 'The Graphic'. They offer to make Lantern Slides from any illustration in 'The Graphic', for lecturers & others for charitable & philantropic purposes
  • - 1896 Thomas Soper, photographer & artist of 147 Strand, took a photo of a medical diploma, using Roentgen rays [X rays]. His opinion was there was a name under the writing, where the parchment had been thinned. (The 'doctors' patient had died) : from The Times 23 Oct 1896 449/746n
  • - 1897 Also slide manufacturers & colourists. Selling X-ray of bones for 1 shilling; whole - plate X-ray 5s 6d; 1897. photolondon  67_santos_rd.jpg
  • - 1897-8 address 69 Santos Rd, Wandsworth M of L [house right]
  • - 1897 County court judgement 6 Dec 1897, �15 2s 8d : from M of L
  • - 1897 The Stedman in the name was Frederick James Stedman, in 1897 a lantern slide manufacturer & chemist, living at 103 Albert Rd, Battersea Park, an architect living at 174 Bridge Rd, High St, Battersea [Thomas Henry Soper at nr170 & parents at 172; (??unfounded speculation; was Bridge Rd part of developments Soper's father & grfather managed??)]. Patent 4548 1896 production of oxygen gas. Advert in Optical Magic Lantern Journal, 1897. M of L
  • - 1898; Photos in Ludgate Magazine for article on Clamico Works, Hackney : from M of L & photolondon
  • - 1901 Thomas Henry Soper 170 Bridge Rd, Battersea, Lon: 13 Jun 1901. Copyright author of photo; "Swan on nest, Glover's Island, Richmond."; Copyright owner of work, The Dial of the Drama Ltd, 6 Henrietta St, Covent Garden, Lon. [170 Bridge Rd now redeveloped; but road of 4 story terraces],
  • - 1908 Soper & Stedman Ltd disolved & struck off Register (london-gazette 28 Feb 1908)
  • - connection??; a John Soper advertised, page xi In The Architectual Review; Jun>Dec 1904 pub � yearly; [page not vis] archive.org
  • - connection? Soper of Park Lane a superb large photograph by Soper of King George VI, (in uniform) autographed, auctioned lost link $1,500 est, no date
  • - Photos below,
    1) unknown subject; taken by Soper & Stedman of 147 Strand, London; no date : [They were at that address 1894-7]
    2) unknown subject (back is plain) by Soper & Stedman of 147 Strand, Nr 24135; From cabinet photograph collection of Roger Vaughan (source) :
    3) Soper & Stedman photo of Daniel Cambridge VC (1821-1882) in Yeoman's uniform www.yeomenoftheguard.com
    4) Soper & Stedman photo of Miss Bushell, Lady Superintendent Deaconess Institute, undated source



    Other UK Soper photographers - connection?

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