Hi everyone,
Only just found the thread, and see you've found quite a bit of information on George Caldwell already. Whether there is anything new here I'm not sure, but this is what it says about him in Bernard Heathcote's book 'Pioneers of Photography in Nottinghamshire':
CALDWELL George
Born: Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland 13 July 1848, son of William and Janet; died Nottingham 1915.
George Cladwell began his photographic career by working for James Bowman in Glasgow. In 1869 he set-up his own portrait gallery in Paisley but shortly afterwards, left Scotland to work in a number of English studios. When he eventually arrived in Nottingham he appears to have been initially employed by Edward Abraham Carnell at Radford; but by the autumn of 1877 he opened premises in nearby Moorgate Street. Two years afterwards, he moved near to Midland Station where from the outset, his galley was called 'The Rembrandt Art Studio'. He maintained this policy of giving an artistic emphasis to his activities and at a later date, also referred to the enterprise as the 'Vandyke Photo Co'. Although Caldwell did not produce portraits of a superlative quality, he had a thriving business, which survived for almost 40 years.
Caldwell George (& Co.) 24 Morgate Street, Radford 1877-78
Carrington St.(Bridge) (91, 95, 97 or 99) 1879 -1900
17 Long Row East 1891 - 93
34 Long Row East 1896 - 97
King Street 1900
9 St. Peter's Gate 1902 - 03
7 St. Peter's Church Walk 1904 - 07
8 Bridlesmith gate 1908
107 Upper Parliament St. 1910 -
Nothing as far as I can see in the book about a fire.
I belive I've got some photos by Carnell in one of my huband's albums - I'll see if I can find one with a similar back, which might have a costume/outfit easier to date - can't promise though. Will do my best.
Hope some of this does help.
Paulene
