The pictures were taken by Paul Martin (1864-1944), a wood engraver by trade but with a keen interest in photography.
Around 1890 it became possible to combine fast-dry plate negatives with a fairly small camera — the Fallowfield Facile camera was an example. Martin used a Facile, which could be disguised as a parcel or carried in a leather box. It did not have to be opened between exposures to change plates, which enabled Martin to take candid shots of people at work and play.
They all have hats as was the custom in those days but one not wearing his. I suppose men in top hats riding in a carriage don't carry small change ...
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Hi All.
Richie suggests it is Edward V11 and Mohawk thinks it is George V. I consider that it is neither. Would the Monarch likely to be riding in an open carriage with a beggar running alongside holding out his cap for a handout? It could easily have been an assassin carryig a revolver. I think it is three members of the gentry ignoring a poor chap who was probably starving. In any case it is a very good picture.
Old Boy