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Purcell And Betts Photographers

Michael_Ingram

gone but not forgotten
I have a family photo I am trying to date. It is stamped with 'Purcell and Betts, Aston Manor'. It seems to be 'Purcell' but it may maybe something similar.
I can't find that studio on any lists that I have access to. Can anybody help please?
 
Sadly the member posting the original question is no longer with us. Hence the words "gone but not forgotten" under his name.
However, we are always keen to learn about (and see photos) of old Birmingham firms.
 
I have recently discovered a Purcell & Betts photo in grandparents photo collection. Interested in knowing what history bishop street had discovered concerning them. Presently I am aware they operated from Park Lane from around 1900-3 and from 57 Aston Rd. North after about 1908. Do you have any further info on these times?
 
Thank you for the update... and the interesting but tragic story of Lily's father, my grandfather Frank Canning was also in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment (8th Battalion) but sustained a foot injury while route marching to Great Baddow, Essex before deployment to France in 1914, I wonder if Frank and Thomas Cope knew each other. Frank's injury was so severe the medical officer ruled him unfit for military service. Many Thanks.
 
I have recently discovered a Purcell & Betts photo in grandparents photo collection. Interested in knowing what history bishop street had discovered concerning them. Presently I am aware they operated from Park Lane from around 1900-3 and from 57 Aston Rd. North after about 1908. Do you have any further info on these times?
In the 1960's I worked as an accountant in a Chartered Accountant's office and was involved in doing the Audit of Purcell and Betts on Aston Road North. The two Partners were Mr Mallabon and Mr Russell, both then in 40's or 50's, having served in WW2. Very well known and respectable firm of professional photographers. I have on the shelf next to me an excellent portrait of myself and my girlfriend, now my wife taken about 1967 or 1968. They did a lot of high class work for both families and contract work for companies. Remember them doing some Advertising work for a company selling the early hard shell suitcases. Coincidentally they also did the wedding photos for my wife's grandparents, circa the early 1920's when showing the Aston Road North address. In the late 1960's their near neighbour was ATV Studios and around the corner Radiation Gas Fires when Aston was a mixture of lots of companies. Just up the road was HP Sauce and Ansells Brewery (where I later worked), both around Aston Cross.
When the Expressway opened and the small businesses around the Cross changed and developed they either closed or moved on. Never knew which, like many other longstanding companies.
Coincidentally there is a very good photo processors and media company now a few streets away.
Must be lots of old photos with the Purcell and Betts logo on the Framed mount. Proper old Brummie Quality Firm.
That's as much as I remember.
 
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