The Seward Photographic Collection by David Lane

 

As our scheduled speaker, Richard Samways, was indisposed, our Programme Sec. David Lane very ably stepped in at short notice, and gave us a very entertaining and beautifully illustrated talk on The Seward Photographic Collection which he has been cataloguing at Weymouth Museum. Edwin Seward who died in Weymouth in 1954, was a noted local photographer in the 1920's and 30s. His magnificent collection of some five thousand glass negatives is now preserved in the museum at Brewers Quay. Weymouth seafront and sands figure prominently in the collection, as do many photos of pre-war naval vessels often taken at Fleet Reviews in Portland harbour. Many were published in Jane's Fighting Ships, the final authority on Admiralty matters. Seward also also recorded local events such as the flying boat in the Bay in 1926, and the air terminal which flew people from Lodmoor to Bournemouth & back as a daily service!

The pageantry surrounding the opening of the new Town Bridge by the Duke of York in 1930 is recorded in some detail, together with the town worthies who assisted. Edwin had a passion for hunting, and many of his photos show fox and otter hunts, often in gory detail, while others show hare-coursing at Poxwell. Considering the slow speed of film emulsions at that time, the sharpness of his moving subjects is remarkable.

David ended by suggesting other local projects in which our group could become involved, such as  maritime families of Weymouth. He invited other suggestions which led to a useful discussion.

 

Tony Johnson