Craigdarroch Castle : Artwork : photograph [2008.014.002]

This photograph was taken long after 1875 judging from his grey beard and age. If you look closely at the plan for Dalzellowlie you will see that this photograph is likely taken on the verandah outside the smoking room.Jim Wolf, 9/16/2017

Hi Jim, As stated in the narrative field, I think this photograph was taken in about 1908. The house depicted looks to have been completed in about 1875 in my opinion. Dalzellowlie was completed in 1894. I suspect that Mr. Bryden is posing for a photo here because the house is significant to him. Perhaps it is the home of an old friend or even a house that he used to live in. During the 1860's and 1870's he lived in Nanaimo. In about 1880 he moved to Wellington. I suspect that this house is in Nanaimo. Perhaps one day a researcher will use Nanaimo City directories and historic street photographs to confirm or refute the idea that this photo might depict Bryden's old Nanaimo house.Bruce Davies , 9/19/2017

Tags

Dalzellowlie

Artwork

Accession Number

2008.014.002

Description

One black and white photograph of a white-bearded man (John Cowper Bryden 1848-1915) in a dark suit and black boots sitting on the steps of a wood-frame clap-boarded house, his hands clasped over one knee, the door behind him open.

Narrative

This circa 1908 photograph depicts Dunsmuir son-in-law John Cowper Bryden at ease on the steps of the smoking room porch at his Esquimalt, B.C. house named Dalzellowlie. The porch appears in a blueprint in The Castle Society's collection (see: 2014.014.023.002a). The decorative lattice work above his head and the finial on the newel post beside him are depicted in a photograph of Dalzellowlie that was published in the periodical, Canadian Architect & Builder, Vol. 12, No.4 April 1899.

History of Use

This photograph was passed down through the descendants of Elizabeth Hamilton Dunsmuir (Mrs. John Bryden) and John Cowper Bryden of Vancouver Island until it was acquired by The Castle Society in 2008. The photograph was probably used by family members at: the Bryden residence named Dallzellowlie in Esquimalt; the Macdonald farm named Duntulm in North Saanich; the Saltspring Island residence of the donor's late mother Catherine Macdonald; and the donor's residence on the B.C. mainland.

Date

circa 1908

Dimensions

14 x 8.1 cm

Photograph Type

Gelatin silver process

Subject/Image

John Cowper Bryden

Medium

Photographic

Support

Paper, Photographic paper

Inscription

John Bryden. Uncle of Catherine Macdonald [Waters]

Curator's note: Bryden was actually Catherine Macdonald's mother's father (i.e. grandfather).

Country of Origin

Canada