Vernacular photograph album of the Thames

VERNACULAR PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM OF A DAY ON THE THAMES

[SWASEY, Ambrose, mechanical engineer & Charles Churchill, manufacturer of mechanical of machine tools]. Photograph album with 12, original photographs, consisting of a group photo, and 11 with manuscript captions by Charles Churchill, each measuring 2 ¾ x 3 ¾". Oblong 8vo, original maroon ½ calf over wavy cloth, "Trenagraphs" lettered in gold on front cover. England, 1897.

Inscribed on binder's leaf by Charles Churchill, "A recollection of Saturday August 21st 1897," and at the top of the same leaf in pencil by the recipient, the great American mechanical engineer Ambrose Swasey (see DAB): "Presented by Chas. Churchill London. Rec'd at Liverpool Eng. Sept. 14, 1897. Our picnic on the Thames, with Mr. Churchill his family and Employees." American-born Charles Churchill (1837-1916) founded Charles Churchill & Co., Ltd., which became the Churchill Machine Tool Co., one the largest manufacturers of machine tools. During two world wars it played a major role by supplying manufacturers of guns, tanks, airplanes and ships. The first photo is of a group of 21 men and 6 women posing in rows at the side of the river. Other captions are: "Below Cookham Lock"; "House Boat off Bisham"; "House near Bourne End"; " Bisham Abbey"; "Cookham Lock"; "Below Cookham Lock"; "Marlow Weir"; "Shaws Boat House-Marlow"; Below Cookham Lock"; "Swans at Marlow"; and "Barlow Church." With Swasey's large ex-libris depicting the "36 inch Lick Telescope," the observatory having been built by him. Fine.