Thomas.Lewis

[sospiri]

Although the undated postcard below is not even in the Birmingham area, it was photographed by a "Thos.Lewis, Stratford Road, Birmingham". A bit of Googling allowed me to establish that he was in business at Merton House, 200 Stratford Road. Can anyone add anything to that?

As to the subject matter, it's of the interior of one of Deller's cafes in the Exeter area. I believe there were four, but this picture doesn't seem to tie in with images of any on the web. For anyone interested, there's some more information at https://www.exetermemories.co.uk/EM/dellers.html and it seems our Mr Lewis certainly moved about.

Regards,

Maurice

 

[sospiri]

I'm answering my own question here as the 1891 Census shows a 46 year old Thomas Lewis - photographer - living with his 42 year old wife Jane at 135 Stratford Road, Bordesley Green.

Although undated, I would put the date of the postcard as probably 1907-10, based on its style, which seems to tie in with the above census entry OK.

Maurice

 

[mikejee]

Maurice
He went on for quite a while. From Kelly, remembering that the information refers to the year before the kellys edition, there is no mention of a Thomas Lewis, photographer up to the 1878 edition. In 1880 there is a Thomas Lewis & Co, photographers at 8 Poplar Road, Yardley. The company has disappeared in the 1883 edition, but there is Thomas Lewis, photographer at 135 Stratford Road. He remains listed at that address till the 1892 edition, and in 1895 edition is at 200 Stratford road, where he remains till at least 1921. In 1921 it is Thomas Lewis Ltd. By 1932 he has disappeared.
Mike
PS I did check to make sure it was a genuine move to no 200 and not a street renumbering

 

[sospiri]

Thank you, Mike, that's good information.

And makes the card much more interesting. As was very common around this time, it was printed in Saxony, but it is the first time I've come across Mr Lewis on a postcard.

Regards,

Maurice