CHARLES H TOMS - AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER
Charles H Toms, the father of Carel Toms was an accomplished amateur photographer and took many images for his personal, club and UK competition use in Guernsey, UK and Europe. They ranged from still life and portraits images to outdoor views. Shown here are only a few examples of his work
In the 1990's, Mike Deane met Charles' son Carel several times and Carel borrowed Mike's archive of his own father's work for some of his lectures - On asking, Carel also personally gave a potted history of his father's life for this archive, and it is shown below.
1919 Demobilised September
1920 Linotype course at Linotype School, London
1928 Ceased regular lino operating
1930 Started half-tone & line block making after a course in London
1933 Taking photographs for weekly Press
1940-45 Block making etc also made plates for postage stamps & currency notes
1957 died August 21st
PHOTOGRAPHY
Started age 13 with a 5 shilling 1/4 plate box camera and a 2 shillings and 6 pence developing and printing outfit. Bought a half-plate stand camera in 1906; changed back to quarter plate in 1911.
Entered first photo competition in 1912 and won a prize for lantern slides. Busiest time as amateur; 1920 -1935. During this period won 168 prizes, including prix d'honneur Eisteddfod 18 times. Wrote articles for photographic press. Became member of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain in 1929 and elected Associate of that body in 1931 'for distinguished ability in photography'.
In the 1990's, Mike Deane met Charles' son Carel several times and Carel borrowed Mike's archive of his own father's work for some of his lectures - On asking, Carel also personally gave a potted history of his father's life for this archive, and it is shown below.
1919 Demobilised September
1920 Linotype course at Linotype School, London
1928 Ceased regular lino operating
1930 Started half-tone & line block making after a course in London
1933 Taking photographs for weekly Press
1940-45 Block making etc also made plates for postage stamps & currency notes
1957 died August 21st
PHOTOGRAPHY
Started age 13 with a 5 shilling 1/4 plate box camera and a 2 shillings and 6 pence developing and printing outfit. Bought a half-plate stand camera in 1906; changed back to quarter plate in 1911.
Entered first photo competition in 1912 and won a prize for lantern slides. Busiest time as amateur; 1920 -1935. During this period won 168 prizes, including prix d'honneur Eisteddfod 18 times. Wrote articles for photographic press. Became member of the Royal Photographic Society of Great Britain in 1929 and elected Associate of that body in 1931 'for distinguished ability in photography'.
The Night Operator
This image shows Paul Le Moal operating a Linotype machine at the Guernsey-Press building in Smith Street. Paul Le Moal became a director of the company later.
Ref: 2021-12-10-0010
Location: Guernsey
Photographer: Charles H Toms
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