Plasterers and painters

[Aspire]

Can anyone point me in the direction of info and photos of Victorian plasterers and painters/ plastering/ painting? Many of my ancestors followed these trades.

[Shropshire Lass]

Hi Aspire

I've searched with no luck for similar photos.  I've got a similar collection of craftsmen, though in more recent times.  My grandfather was a master plasterer and worked on the Victorian houses in London in the 1940s and 50s repairing the war damage to the wonderful plasterwork.  It was such skilled work.

Maybe someone else will have advice for us.

Monica

[dee-jay]

One of my Grandfathers was a painter journeyman born in the late 1850s.  He died in 1908 from symptoms which suggest poisoning from lead-based paint, so it is likely his earning capacity was affected by this debilitating condition for some time and it is unlikely he could have afforded photographs with a wife and 5 surviving children to support.

[Aspire]

I know what you mean about the toxic lead; my painter ancestors must have been aware too - they lived into their 70s and 80s!  Tressel's "The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists" paints a knowledgeable picture of  Edwardian painters'  lives.  Individuals may have been too poor for photos but firm owners may have had records, hence my question.