Charles Pelham Browne (1840 – 25 May 1916) was a prominent photographer in the Gisborne, New Zealand district operating between the years of 1876 and 1901. Many examples of his work are held by the Tairawhiti Museum.

Unidentified Portrait taken by C P Browne
Reverse of Unidentified Portrait taken by C P Browne

Biography

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C P Browne was born circa 1840 England, reg. Dec 1840 (as Charles Pelham Brown), baptised 4 June 1842 Mellor, Mellor, Derbyshire, England.[1]

C P Browne established a photographic business in Gisborne in 1876 after spending some time in Thames and Auckland.[2]

On 20 September 1878, Browne married Catherine Rebecca Morse.[3] They had no children.

In 1895, Browne joined the Lodge Abercorn at Gisborne,[4] and remained a member until his death on 25 May 1916.[5]

Working Life

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Browne's work consisted mainly of studio portraiture. Oil colouring and photo-enamelling by Browne was highly regarded in commentaries from the local newspaper.[6][7]

By 1883 Browne was advertising as 'Gisborne Photographic Studio'.[8] In 1891 his studio in Gladstone Road, Gisborne was extended for greater capacity.[9]

Catherine Browne was known to work with C P Browne on photographic expeditions and in the studio.[10][11]

Browne sold his business to Benjamin Shatford Cox in 1901.[12]

References

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  1. ^ Engaland Births, December quarter, Macclesfield vol. 19 page 89
  2. ^ "Sun, Volume III, Issue 718, 30 May 1916". paperspast.natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 19 March 2019.
  3. ^ NZ Births, Deaths & Marriages. Central Registry. folio 1878/2532
  4. ^ Tairawhiti Museum, Browne ref. VSL 32138.  Individual Papers Series 8 Item 70
  5. ^ "Gisborne District Council Cemetery Database".
  6. ^ "Poverty Bay Herald".
  7. ^ "Poverty bay Herald".
  8. ^ "Poverty Bay Herald".
  9. ^ "Poverty Bay Herald".
  10. ^ "Poverty Bay Herald".
  11. ^ "Times" Jubilee Handbook. Tairawhiti Museum Library: The Gisborne Publishing Company. 1927. p. 85.
  12. ^ "Poverty Bay Herald".