IOW Photographers - Pike
| Photographer | Alfred Pike | |
| Active Period | c1874 - 1897 and to at least c1937 by descendants | |
| Lifespan | Born: c1841 London | Died: 1897 IOW |
| Studio Addresses | 2 Medina Villas, Palmerston Road & Esplanade, Shanklin
(Alfred & Margaret Pike) 1 Cambrian Villas, Landguard Road, Shanklin (Edward Pike from c1924) |
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| Associates | Margaret Agnes Pike (wife) c1897 - 1928
Edward Dordan Pike (son) bef 1924 - 1929 Ethel Fanny Pike (daur-in-law) 1929 - 1c1937 |
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| Trade History | 1898 Kelly's Directory IOW (page 313 & 485) Alfred Pike, photographer, 2 Medina Villas, Palmerston Road & Esplanade, Shanklin 1899
Kelly's Directory of Hampshire & IOW (pages 655 & 948) 1910 Kelly's Directory of IOW 1915 Kelly's Directory of IOW (page 1090) 1921-22 Kelly's Directory of IOW (page 729) 1924-25 Kelly's Directory of IOW (page 486) 1927 Kelly's Directory of IOW (page 1106) 1937 Kelly's Directory of IOW |
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| Awards | ||
| Photographic Evidence Found |
None found to date | |
| Examples of Photographs, Trade Cards, Adverts, etc |
None found to date | |
| Family History | Alfred Pike was born in St Pancras, London c1841.
At the time of the 1871 census, 29 year old Alfred was working as a hair dresser's assitstant,
living with his wife Margaret and their baby daughter Florence in St Pancras, London.
By 1881, the family had moved to the Island, where the 1881 census records
him as being a 39 year old photographic artist living at 2 Medina Villas, Palmerston Road,
Shanklin. Also living with Alfred were his London born wife, Margaret Agnes (33), and four
children, Florence (11), Alfred (10), George (3) and Edith Lily (10 months). The elder two
children had been born in London and the younger two in Shanklin, which suggests the
family arrived on the Island between 1871 and c1877. Although yet to be confirmed, it is
thought that Alfred's wife may have been nee Dordan, as this name features as a middle
name in several generations of their descendants. In the 1891 census, Alfred was described as a 50 year old photographer and still living at the same address Shanklin; the family being extended by the addition of two more children, Edward Dordan (8) and John (6) - both born in Shanklin. Alfred's two older children, Florence & Alfred, were not listed at that address, and their whereabouts at that time is unknown. Alfred Pike died in April 1897 and was buried at Shanklin Cemetery - although his name still appeared in Kelly's Directory for 1898. After Alfred's death, the photographic business was run by his wife Margaret, as evidenced by the 1899 & 1910 Kelly's Directories entries above. The 1901 census also records Margaret as being a photographer (although her age had been rounded down to 50!), as does the 1911 census (now aged 65). It is imagined that Margaret was very capable at running the business, having probably been assisting her husband before he died. Margaret died at the age of 81 in January 1928 and was buried with her late husband at Shanklin Cemetery. After Margaret's death, and probably some time beforehand, the photographic business was taken over in its entirety by her son Edward Dordan Pike. It is not known exactly when Edward entered the family photographic business, but a Kelly's Directory entry confirms that he was an established photographer by 1924. However, the 1901 census records that Edward started his working life as a house carpenter - possibly being influenced by his brothers George & John who were then described as house painters. Likewise, the 1911 census also records Edward working as a house painter and carpenter, living in Shanklin with his wife Ethel from Chillerton and their three young children. Unfortunately, Edward survived his mother for only just over a year, dying in March 1929 at the age of 47. Edward was buried at Shanklin Cemetery, where he was to be joined later by wife Ethel Fanny in 1943. Following Edward's untimely death, it would appear that his wife, Ethel Fanny, continued to run the business (at the Esplanade) until at least 1937. Of Alfred & Margaret Pike's other children, it is known that George married Mary Dunne in 1904 and lived in East Cowes until after WW2, and John married Clara Martin in 1908 and lived in Cowes. |
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| Further Notes | SHORE PHOTOGRAPHERS AT LOGGERHEADS Alfred Pike junior, son of photographer Alfred Pike, was summoned for assaulting photographer Edward La Porte on 23rd September 1896 at Shanklin Chine. La Porte stated that he was standing on a bridge crossing a brook at the foot of Shanklin Chine when Pike wilfully pushed him and spat in his face saying "Get off my bridge". During the hearing it was revealed that the bridge, consisting of three planks, had been put there by Pike's father with permission of the Local Board 15 years ago for the purpose of taking photographs. La Porte had attempted to take photographs from the bridge, and Pike told him not to do so, Pike denied the alleged assault, as confirmed by a witness who said he hadn't touched La Porte or spat in his face. The Court did not find the case very serious, and fined Pike 5s without costs. Pike was also summoned for threatening to throw La Porte into the brook on the 28th September, but the Bench dismissed the case. Above is an extract of the report in the IW County Press 10 October 1896 My thanks to Ann Barrett for supplying the above press cutting. |
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