“For Wales? Why Richard, it profit a man nothing to give his soul for the whole world. . . but for Wales!”
— Robert Bolt, A Man for All Seasons
Girl with a dog, Llansanffraid – 1885
In the 1860s, John Thomas (1838-1905), a labourer’s son from Cellan, Ceredigion, Wales, worked for a company dealing in writing materials and photographs of famous people. In 1863 Thomas began taking photographs, inviting Welsh preachers of renown to sit for their portraits. His work was a hit. And in 1867 he established his own photographic business, The Cambrian Gallery, taking photographs of Welsh landscapes and people.
Over 3,000 of his negatives was bought by Owen Morgan Edwards (1858 – 1920) to illustrate the magazine Cymru, for which Thomas had supplied images. “You can well understand my joy in receiving an offer of help from Mr John Thomas, in his own modest style,” Edwards wrote. “I knew that no-one has such a complete collection of views of Welsh historic sites. Whenever he visits a particular area, he adds to his collection the picturesque, famous or unusual that he finds there. His rich gallery has been made available to me to use with the warmest of welcomes… It is good to know that the Cambrian Gallery contains a collection of views from nearly every part of Wales, and of the characters who lived in those parts in recent years.”
Jack Jones, Blaenau Ffestiniog and his toothache – 1875
Bet Fach, Llangeitho who is 92 years old – 1885
The cobbler, Betws-yn-Rhos – 1875
Sion Sodom, Abersoch – 1885
Pegi Llwyd, Llangollen – 1875
Modryb Martha, Modryb Nellie a Modryb Gwenno – 1872
William Bulkeley Hughes MP (1797-1882) – 1875
The tailor, Bryn-du – 1875
Servant – 1875
A fisherman – 1875
Town crier, Llanrwst – 1875
Lord Penmachno, father of all the quarrymen – 1885
W. Thelwall Thomas and friends – 1882
Mr Roberts, Newtown harpist] – 1875
Workers at Glyndyfrdwy quarry, Corwen – 1885
Mr Jones, Lord Mayor of Llansawel – 1885
Llangeitho – 1885
Mrs Lewis, Y Borth at 84 years old – 1885
Mary Parry, Llanfechell – 1875
Elis the pedlar, Llanfair – 1885
1885 Sion Catrin ringing the bell, Llanrwst
Evan Davies, blacksmith of Llanboidy
D & N Mathew, Crossways, Castellnewydd Emlyn – 1885
Harri Bach, Bodedern – 1875
Business Bob, Llanrwst – 1875
Robin Four, Llanfellech – 1875
Capel Garmon natives – 1875
Cadi’r Big, Y Ro-wen – 1875
Two women standing with Jane Thomas (mother of John Thomas), who is sitting between them – 1867
Hugh Rees road worker, Tal-y-bont (Ceredigion) – 1885
Two women in nation dress – 1875
Morris Babwn, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant – 1885
Post Office, Llanymddyfri – 1885
R Evans the wheelwright, Churchstoke – 1885
c.1885
Via: National Library of Wales
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