The Photographs of Sam Thompson

Between tides. Sunderland Point: Image courtesy of the Reading Room

This characterful photograph has been on the wall of the Reading Room for as long as anyone can remember. It’s even possible it’s been there since April 1932 when it was taken just over 90 years ago. The signature, handwritten on the bottom left is Sam Thompson. He has also written the title. It’s a presentation copy.

The photograph has been carefully staged, the oilskins and sou’westers wouldn’t be worn on a sunny day, and there are props. William Townley, (Left) is holding a homemade tiernel (basket), Thomas Gardner (Centre) has a large telescope tucked under his arm, and leaning on the post (Right) is James ‘Shirley’ Gardner, his tiernel and ropes conveniently placed on the ground behind him. But no matter, these are three highly respected fishermen and pilots who spent their entire lives at the Point.

As a visitor to the Point over many years, Sam Thompson was by then well known in the village and has the fishermen’s trust. We think they are pleased to take part. His many photographs of residents in the 1920’s and 30’s are of historical significance to us, and great personal interest to their descendents.

But who is Sam Thompson?

Coming from a farming background, he was born in 1871 in Scotforth, Lancaster. He went on to achieve British and International fame as a realist photographer who captured local men and women about their daily lives, in work and leisure. He recorded, for our heritage the fast-disappearing yards, alleys and old streets and courts of Lancaster.

In his twenties, Sam worked for a time in Preston before returning to Lancaster to work for the Rembrandt Intaglio Printing Company as a photographer. Sometime later he became the Chief Etcher holding that post until the firm decided to transfer its HQ to London in 1926.

 Sam stayed behind to become a professional photographer.

His earliest known photographs (in his teens) date from the 1880’s, but the main body of his work – photos of Lancaster’s threatened streets - took place in the 1920’s. Later we see portrait images of ‘characters’, the local worthy’s, gamekeepers, market gardeners, land army women, lighthouse keepers and of course fisherfolk.

Bert Smith (Left) and William Townley c1935: From the collection of Alan Smith

Here are Bert Smith and William Townley, who fished together, ‘posing’ for Sam Thompson whilst examining fish netting.

For many years Sam was a familiar figure, cycling around country lanes and the streets of Lancaster, ready to set up his tripod and camera to capture a scene or person that caught his interest. Back at the Point, here again is William Townley, this time with George Mason outside the Temperance Hotel entrance. George held the hotel and farm tenancy for over 50 years.

William Townley and George Mason: From the collection of Alan Smith

Sam’s work won many awards in exhibitions in this country. His work was included in a ‘Best of British’ exhibition which toured America and Canada in the 1930’s organised by the Royal Photographic Society. To his long-lasting credit as an exceptional observer of people and places, copies of his photographs are held in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

 This next photo is a favourite. It’s Thomas Gardner again, this time with his eldest brother James Gardner.

Thomas Gardner (Left) and his elder brother James Gardner: From the collection of Wilton Atkinson

They are standing outside the Temperance Hotel with a ghostly Second Terrace providing a misty background.

In March 1945, Sam died of pneumonia aged 74. We are fortunate that he left a legacy of many fascinating photographs in a collection split between the Museum in Lancaster and the Archives in Preston.

Helpful curators in both organisations led us to discover that almost all the Sam Thompson Sunderland Point photographs – and there are many, perhaps 45 - are held in the archives at Preston. We plan to copy and bring into our own archives.

Saving one the best to the last, this is a great character study of the old salt himself James ‘Shirley’ Gardner then 66 years of age. Although water damaged the quality of the photograph, and the man, shine brightly through.

James ‘Shirley’ Gardner 1935: From the author’s collection.

It’s a special. It’s a presentation photograph that Sam has signed and dated 1935 and wrote ‘To Mrs D. P. Morris’ who just happens to be my grandmother.

Main source of biographical information: The Red Rose collection of Lancashire County Council.

The Busy Curlew - updated. Last weeks post ‘The Busy Curlew’ has been updated as we believe the bird has been found.

Thanks to generous support we have been able to load more photographs into the gallery. We will always be pleased to receive photographs related to the heritage of Sunderland Point.