Chambre Hardman (1898-1988)

I suppose like many a local lad, you find yourself too busy doing your own thing, to step back at times, and find interesting things to do and see, right on your doorstep… Today, I took time out to visit, a National Trust property, right here in Liverpool. Of course it did help that I had a special interest in the property… this being, it was the Home and more importantly the Studio, of reputedly, Liverpool’s most prestigious Portrait Photographer practising his art in the mid 1900’s.

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After catching a local bus, I got off by T.J.’s… I remember, when I was a lad… this was the centre of Liverpool Town, in shopping terms, and it was quite rare for me to venture into the heart of Liverpool, unless you were going down to the River. Anyway, after having a coffee and a read of the papers, I made my way up past the St. Andrews Gardens, and over to the R.C. Cathedral.

Street art in Seymour Street

I was making my way to Rodney Street, where the National Trust property of Burrell & Hardman is situated. Rodney Street, is to Liverpool, what Harley Street is to London. Even  these days, there are still ‘private’ clinics, dentists, doctors and the likes to be found here. It is here that Chambre Hardman, was to set up shop…

St. Andrews Graveyard (Rodney Street)

 As I walked along Rodney Street, I passed the old Presbyterian Church of St. Andrews. This church was derelict for many years, but it is so good to see that Liverpool John Moore’s University, have taken it over, revamped it and turned it into student accommodation. You can see the ancient pyramid tomb of William McKenzie in the gated graveyard… There is a great story by Tom Slemen to be had, regarding this tomb… click on the image above, to take you to a third party copy of the the story…

I ventured along Rodney Street in the direction of the Anglican Cathedral and the front entrance of the National Trust property. only to find the member and visitor entrance is at the rear, of the property in Pilgrim Street. I entered, gave my membership details, and as I was early for the booked tour, sat in the garden, to while away the time, reading…

Hardman’s Studio

The tour began with, a short video, on Chambre Hardman’s, life and career, this was in the Dressing Room, of the studio, where customers, would change into clothes which they had brought with them to be photographed, we were then guided into the waiting room, and a new guide, who explained all aspects of the room. After this we went to the first floor, and Hardman’s formal Studio, which displayed many of his cameras. The camera to the right, was the one he mainly used for his Portrait work.

We were then guided into a portrait room, were a small selection of Hardman’s prints were hanging or under glass. I found his ‘Social Record’ prints to be somewhat special, from a bygone age never to return… Hardman liked to take social record and landscapes as his ‘hobby’ when not in the studio…

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Social record

Hand Painted Colour

I have to say at this point… I have seen many hand painted images over the years, but Hardman’s colour images are ‘special’ to say the least. It was explained that he employ professional ‘painting artists’ to colour his images (much like in the porcelain industry), and the quality work which they produced… is undoubtedly outstanding !!!

We were then guided into Hardman’s developing rooms and further down into the cellar where there were more of his lead lined troughs and paraphernalia, with employed staff, trained in all things developing and printing.

Once we had seem all this, we were guided, into Chambre’s living quarters, and his offices, offering a more personal aspect of the business, and some great photo opportunities,  to capture this.

Stacks of printing paper (unused)

The office, where bookings were taken

Hardman’s armchair and hat

As I remarked to the final guide, “How sad, that such a man, with the ‘premier portrait studio’ in Liverpool at the time, around WW2, photographing, WW2 officers visiting the city, and the hoi polloi of Liverpool and beyond, until the 1960’s, should meet his end in such abject poverty”… what more can be said…