NAILTOWN
NAILTOWN'S NEW PROJECT
BROMSGROVE'S VICTORIAN PHOTOGRAPHIC TREASURY
In October 2008 The History Press published ‘ Bromsgrove’s Victorian Photographic Treasury’ a lavishly illustrated book containing a selection of some of the best images from the studio of the photographer Joseph Hughes.
The 128 pages show the customers of his Bromsgrove High Street studios over the decade from 1897 and show the photographer’s activity in the town recording the people of the town in their finery and pomp.
The book makes use of over 200 images from the archive of 2138 Glass negatives to celebrate the pride of the towns forward thinking residedents but they were surely not considering that their portraits would be rescued, restored and returned to their full glory exactly 100 years ago after they were taken.
The book is an opportunity to celebrate the descendents of Mr Hughes subject’s alertness in recognising their relatives and bringing their researches and family stories to the Hughes Collection Projects attention. A selection of visitor’s recollections are included in the book.
For sale at £12.99p the volume is a fascinating necessity for anyone connected with Bromsgrove and those looking into their family tree. It provides detailed information for general students of fashion, photography and social location.
Mr Hughes was one of a wave of photographers bringing portaiture to the residents of small towns though out the country and his studio produced Cartes de Visite, Cabinets and presentation prints for his many customers.
His efforts were treasured by his customers and the finest reproductions of his efforts are now presented in this collector’s item publication.
The book is available now from www.tob@nailtown.co.uk
Nailtown is a loose association of mainly Bromsgrove Local History enthusiasts that managed the Hughes Collection Project, which was funded by the Local Heritage Initiative and took the Archive out to the people of North Worcestershire and beyond to investigate the possibilities of identifying the subjects of Mr. Hughes ‘s photographs
The Web site of the Archive is at thehughescollection
and is now being updated by voluntary efforts.
For book supplies contact Terry O’Brien onwww.tob@nailtown.co.uk
For further information please contact 07930 557493 or 01527 575476
Welcome to the Nailtown website.
It has been established to help you gather information about the town of Bromsgrove and why it was known as the Nailtown.
WHY ?
Because they made nails here, lots of them.
WHY?
Because someone had to,(For how you'll have to read "GLORY GONE"). In the 17th. 18th. & 19th. Century it was considerd necessary for British 'adventurers' to fix pictures of the king or queen in all sorts of places all over the world.
When Victoria beamed beatifically over a large proportion of the planet, someone invented a machine to make nails and the Bromsgrove nail makers were out of work.
So they don't make nails by hand in Bromsgrove any more.
Through this site you can access or find guidance on tracking down information on the town's history in many different forms.
The main Nailtown project is a multimedia package availible on CD-ROM.Click on the Nailtown symbol below to order the CD-ROM.
The buttons below will take you to other NAILTOWN sites.
