"A Clever Bridgend Artist and Cartoonist." | Edwin Lott
During the 19th century, the Lott family were well-known in Bridgend for their artistic abilities. This blogpost focuses on Edwin Lott - one of the first portrait photographers in Bridgend.
Born in November 1850, Edwin was one of nine children born to William and Mary Lott of Nolton Street, Bridgend. Interestingly, Edwin was named after his brother who died a year in 1849.
The Lott family lived in Nolton Street for upwards of 100 years. The earliest record of the family in Bridgend is the birth of their first child, William, in 1838. The family lived at the ‘Sovereign’ public house on Nolton Street.
The 1851 Census tells us that the Lott family lived at 9 Nolton Street. William, the head of the household, was a master painter and glazier. William was the artist for the Dunraven Estate and also did work for the Bridgend Local Board. He painted the town's first street signs, supplied the glass for the town hall windows and decorated many of the buildings including Bridgend and Cowbridge Union Workhouse.
In 1856, William was involved in erecting the arches at Dunraven Castle for the celebration of Windham-Quinn’s marriage. The Cambrian wrote: “... displayed great skill in the plan and construction. This gothic arch was formed into three divisions with mottoes and banners and a magnificent coronet set on top.”
The family business operated from their home and neighbouring shop in Nolton Street. By 1871, Edwin and three of his brothers had followed their father's profession and worked as painters in the family business
Following his father's death, Edwin expanded the business in 1872 and opened Bridgend’s first photography studio called ‘Nolton Studio.’ Edwin took some of the earliest photographs of Bridgend townspeople.
As well as portraits, Edwin photographed everything from sports teams to royal events, pets to district officials. He photographed views of Bridgend and the surrounding areas, selling them as postcards and prints. Edwin specialised in photograph enlargements in oil and watercolour.
In June 1878, The Glamorgan Gazette reported that a painting by Edwin Lott was hung at Bridgend Mechanics’ Institute. The painting was a portrait of John Thomas, the Royal Harpist, a souvenir of his visit to his home town. John donated the painting to Bridgend Mechanics’ Institute stating “Such evidence of local talent should not be taken from the town.”
In 1887 The Glamorgan Gazette reported that Edwin had photographed a well-known Bridgend resident, Mrs Francis, who was 101 years old. Residents were invited to purchase a copy of the photograph from Edwin's shop.
Edwin was a political cartoonist. For years his “fine and amusing” cartoons depicting the candidates of the Local Elections were displayed in his shop window, causing quite a stir among Local Board Members.
The 1891 Census tells us that Edwin was the head of the household. Listed as an artist and photographer, Edwin lived with his mother, sister, nephew, niece and a servant. In about 1900, Edwin’s nephew, also called Edwin, joined the family business as an assistant photographer.
By 1911, Edwin’s nephew and his family were living with Edwin at Nolton Street. Listed as a photographer, the census tells us that he was suffering from rheumatic disease and was working from home. It also tells us that Edwin was bi-lingual.
Edwin died on the 21st of February 1914 after a short illness. His obituary in The Glamorgan Gazette described him as: “A clever Bridgend artist and cartoonist” and a “painter of great capability and his work in that direction was highly appreciated in the district.”
Edwin was buried in the Lott family plot at St Mary’s Church (Nolton). The church service was conducted by Rev Edmondes and by Rev, Price at the graveside.
Among others who attended were the Rev. David Phillips, Messrs. Edward Preece, Harry Lewis, George Bevan, R. Jenkins, T. Jenkins, W. Evans, W. Williams, Tom Swift, T. Woodward, Lloyd Jones and Bedford Morgan.
Edwin Lott left his entire estate to his nephew and his family on his death. Edwin carried on the family business until he died in 1926.
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My x3 great grandparents, David and Ann Francis of Newcastle Hill, had their portraits taken at Nolton Studio!