Itinerant photographer J. Evans

I purchased this carte de visite on eBay a couple of years ago, not just because of the interesting subject of three men about to scythe some hay, but also because I thought it might have been an example of the work of Derbyshire studio photographer Joshua Evans of Bradwell.


I'd be interested to hear from any readers who can deduce any insights from this photograph. For example, are there any clues to where it was taken? Are the clothing styles typical of a particular part of the country or era? Perhaps the scythes are of a special design? The three men are all holding their scythes and the files used to sharpen them; their trousers are rolled up, and they are clearly ready for action, and it appears that the first sweep of hay has already been cut behind them. I'm afraid I'm not familiar enough with English farming practices or geography to infer a great deal more.


The design on the reverse of the card mount includes a paint palette and brushes, similar to a positively identified cdv by Joshua Evans (see previous blog post about William Bocking of Bradwell). However, there is no location shown, and the name of the photographer is merely given as "J. Evans" which is not conclusive evidence. The writing at the base provides the only clue that I can find suggesting this was not Joshua. It states, "Negatives not kept more than 7 days after delivery," which is a strong indication that J. Evans was a travelling photographer, as they did not have the space in their caravans to carry large collections of glass negative plates. The text can be compared with Joshua Evans's cdvs, which states, "Copies of this portrait can always be had." Although in the event, Joshua Evans did not last very long in the photographic business, he had clearly intended to stay put for a while.

William Bocking (1782-1869) of Bradwell

Nearly four years ago, John Bradley sent me this image from his collection of a an elderly man by photographer Joshua Evans of Bradwell. The subject was not a member of his family, and I added it to my online portfolio of this photographer with an "unidentified" caption and an estimate that it was taken in the 1860s.



Then, a few weeks ago, I received an email from Andre Hallam:

I think I can identify a man in one of the pictures on the Joshua Evans page - the one labeled "Unidentified gentleman" taken in the late 1860s. It appears to be William Bocking, who was a Weslyan Sunday School teacher in Bradwell. There is a picture of him in the book "Bradwell Ancient and Modern" by Seth Evans, and it definitely looks like the same man.

WILLIAM BOCKING
who died in 1869, aged 87, was a Wesleyan
Sunday School teacher over 60 years.
Image © Seth Evans & courtesy of Andre Hallam

Peter Evans, who provided me with information about the photographer Joshua Evans's family, as well as several photos of family members, some almost certainly by Joshua himself, has responded to Andre's identification:

I am tempted to agree with Andre Hallam that comparing the photo of William Bocking with photos in "Bradwell, Ancient and Modern" by Seth Evans it is of William Bocking. William Bocking was the father of Mary Bocking, who married James Evans, the father of Robert Evans and grandfather of Joshua Evans. Incidentally Robert Evans died at Joshua's in Vicar Lane, Sheffield in 1875. James Evans was also in partnership with his brother William in making "Bradda" hats. The story has it that the Bradda Hat was used as the model for the shape of helmets in both World Wars.

I'm also hoping that Peter, or someone else perhaps, will be able to identify the two men in the other photo by Joshua Evans contributed by John Bradley. In the late 1860s, the population of Bradwell was only around 1200 - these two may also be part of the extended family of Joshua Evans.