- Détails
- Création : 24 mars 2015
- Mis à jour : 27 février 2025
- Publication : 24 mars 2015
Adolph LANGFIER
(Manchester, 1868-Londres, 1947)
Jean-Claude SEGUIN
2
Les origines (1868-1896)
Le nom Langfier est porté par différentes familles installées en Grande-Bretagne et dont les liens ne sont pas, actuellement, établis. Samuel Szmol Langfier, originaire de Pologne, dispose probablement d'un atelier photographique à Czestochowa. Il est le père de Louis, Adolph et de Louis Saul, né dans cette ville polonaise.
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| Fotografia Langfier. Czestochowa. Dom Wlasny. | |
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| Langfier. Fotograf W Czestochowie | S. L. [Samuel Langfier ?]. Fotografia. Langfier. W. Czestochowie. |
Selon certaines sources, il aurait commencé sa carrière en Angleterre vers [1886] :
Mr. Langfier, Sr., is one of the oldest living professionals in England, having been busy in his profession almost fifty [sic] years. He retired a few years ago to enjoy a well-earned propertiry.
Wilson's photographic magazine, vol. 38, nº 536, août 1901, p. 313.
Vers la fin des années 1880, les deux frères résident quelque temps aux États-Unis où Louis Adolph épouse (New York, 1889) Elizabeth Jacobs. Après la naissance de ses deux premières filles, Louis, Adolph décide de partir pour la Grande-Bretagne où il arrive, à Liverpool, le 9 mars 1894. Il s'installe, près de Londres, à Croydon. Son frère Louis Saul Langfier, également de retour, exerce la profession de photographe à Glasgow où il crée la "Langfier and Co."
Messrs L. Langfier, Sr., and L. Langfier, Jr., opened their first Glasgow studio at 202 Hope Street, in 1893, with the intention to make a business of general photography, in which artistic portraiture was to be the pre-eminent speciality. Their success came rapidly; in 1895 they were obliged to secure the larger and specially designed gallery they now occupy; later the business attained such proportions that it was converted into a "limited liability" company; and, in a recent lettre, we learn that the company is about to open a magnificent studio in London, at 23a Old Bond Street.
"A notable scottish studio", Wilson's photographic magazine, vol. 35, nº 504, décembre 1898, p. 547.
La Langfier & Co Limited réunis de nombreux membres de la famille Langfier qui vont vite disposer d'établissements à Londres (2), Birmingham, Glasgow, Dublin et Belfast. Les Langfier deviennent des spécialistes de la photographie au charbon et au platinum que se disputent l'aristocratie et les têtes couronnées britanniques.
"A glimpse of the reception-room at the Langfier studio"
Wilson's photographic magazine, vol. 35, p. 547.
L'oncle Louis Langfier, qui a obtenu sa naturalisation en 1891, évoque ainsi cette période :
"When did I take up photography?" observed Mr. Langfier meditatively. "Some seven years ago, when I joined my nephew, L. S. Langfier, who had already made his reputation in America, and who now represents the firm at Glasgow. I come of a long line of people interested in art, and my experience leads me to believe that a photographer, like a poet, is born, not made. To take mu1ºy own case, and I do not claim to be anything very extraordinary," he added modestly, "I was successful from the first, and so, after some hesitation, I made up my mind to give London a trial. This was two years ago. Twelve months later saw me established here, for I soon realised that I must begin as I meant to go on, and we know in Glasgow that Old Bond Street is the Hub of the Universe!"
"A Chat With Mr. Louis Langfier", The Sketch, 26 juin 1901, p. 22.
Langfier. La Loie Fuller, Glasgow, 1896.
Pour sa part, Adolph Langfier rejoint, dès 1895 la "Bender & Co", entreprise de Victor Bender, à laquelle The Photogram consacre les suivantes lignes :
AN UNUSUALLY well-equipped studio and workrooms for enlarging and finishing in bromide, carbon, and platinotype, are those of Bender & Co., George-street, Croydon. The firm es probably the only one in England that does a regular and considerable business with continental countries in photographic enlargements. Through special agents in some of the chief cities of France, Germany, and Belgium, such a trade is conducted; and on the other hand the firme imports direct from the continental manufactures, a series of special patterns of frames. One of the members of the firm is A. Langfier, to whose very fine air-brush work we have more than once referred, and as a natural consequence, air-brush work is a distinct specialty.
The Photogram, vol. III, nº 25, janvier 1896, p. 23.
Les images animées (1896-1899)
The Grand Kinematograph (octobre 1896-juin 1897)
On doit à Gilbert Harrison et à son père l'invention du "Grand Kinematograph" dont la "Bender & Co" va assurer l'exploitation. Une des toutes premières représentations a lieu au Camera Club de Croydon le 28 octobre 1896 :
[...] a newly invented camera and projection apparatus, called the Grand Kinematograph, which had just been perfected by the firm of which their member, Mr Victor Bender, was one of the leading partners, viz., Messrs Bender & Co., of Croydon. The apparatus in question was in many ways a great advance upon those machines hitherto shown; the negatives were double the size of any other camera of the class, the vibration was much reduced, as also were the noise and clatter which usually accompany the projecting apparatus when in action. The President was able to announce that by the kindness of Messrs Bender & Co. , Mr Adolph Langfier had promised to show the Grand Kinematograph in action at the lantern show of the Club, to be held on January 13, 1897.
The British Journal of Photography, vol. 43, nº 1905, 6 novembre 1896, p. 715-716.
Il semble pourtant que Victor Bender et Adolph Langfier se sont quelque peu appropriés cette invention :
In reply to the letter in your last, from Messrs. T. J. & G. H. Harrison, calling in question an announcement made by me at the Croydon Camera Club, on October 28, I can only say our members, Messrs. Victor Bender and Adolphe Langfier, have always referred to the grand kinematograph as an instrument originally conceived by them at the beginning of March, and since completed under their directions and at their costs.
The British Journal of Photography, vol. 43, nº 1910, 11 décembre 1896, p. 799-800.
Le Grand Kinematograph est à nouveau présenté en décembre au Bazaar, puis en janvier au Braithwaite Hall de Croydon. Si l'on exclut la vue prise, sans doute par les Harrison, à Balmoral lors de la visite du tsar en octobre, il semble que les premières photographies animées saisies par le Grand Kinematograph soient l'oeuvre d'Aldolph Langfier comme l'indique le suivant article :
Croydon Camera Club-The twenty-ninth public show of lantern slides at the Braithwaite, on the 13th inst., drew a large audience, numbers being unable to obtain admission.
[...]
ANOTHER KINEMATOGRAPH.
The photographic portion of the entertainment concluded with the display of ten scenes shown by means of Messrs. Bender & Co.’s grand kinematograph. These photographs, which, counting positive and negative, numbered 24.000, were taken by a member of the Club, Mr. Adolphe Langfier, who had intended explaining them, but, prevented by illness, the duty was, at the last moment, undertaken by the President of the Club. Although, in consequence of an accident, the improved kinematograph was not available, the mimicking of motion exhibited on a twenty-foot screen seemed to be most heartily enjoyed by the assemblage, which on several occasions expressed their feelings by a perfect storm of applause, particularly acceptable being Demolition of Old Railway Station, Croydon Croydon, and Yacht Landing Pleasure Party, Hastings. At intervals during the evening a team of banjoists, under the direction of Miss Cumbers, performed a welcome programme of songs, choruses and ensembles. His Worship the MAYOR OF CROYDON (Mr. Martin Luther Moss) said he had followed Mr. Bellin’s remarks and pictures with very considerable pleasure and interest, inasmuch as several of the scenes portrayed had been quite recently visited by himself ; he could therefore bear witness to the admirable truthfulness of representation present in Mr. Bellin’s pictures. This might seem superfluous praise, but, when it is remembered that photography is capable of taking portraits that no one can recognise, it was well to testify to photography’s occasional truthfulness.
The British Journal of Photography, 22 janvier 1897, p. 61.
Adolph Langfier, qui n'a donc pas pu être lui-même présent, va fournir de plus amples explications lors de la séance qui a lieu deux semaines plus tard, le 27 janvier :
Croydon Camera Club.— There was a full room on Wednesday evening, the 27th ult., when Mr. A. E. Isaac opened a discussion upon
THE EXPOSURE AND DEVELOPMENT OF SNOW SCENE NEGATIVES.
He advocated a somewhat brief exposure, viz., about half the normal, and that development should not be pushed too far, but rather that a thin, although not weak, negative should be obtained, and full printing density secured by intensification. An animated discussion ensued, in which Messrs. J. Smith, Kough, Richardson, Carley, Packham, Langfier, Hirst, and A. Jenkins took part, and also showed negatives or prints in illustration of their contentions. The President (Mr. Hector Maclean), in closing the discussion, remarked that the differences in amount of exposure, ranging from thirty-five seconds down to one two-hundredth of a second, related by members, are explicable by the different object each had in view. He thought that the secret of good snow scenes lay more in effective lighting than in absolute correct exposure. A cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Isaac was carried by acclamation. Following the above, Mr. ADOLPHE LANGFIER showed and explained great part of the mechanism of the improved model of the
Grand Kinematograph.
The machine in question was compared with the original design (the one used at the last lantern show) and the various improvements pointed out. Without entering minutely into technicalities, the main improvements consisted in less power being needed to work the machine, much less noise, less flicker ; finally, much steadier pictures were obtainable, due to an improved film perforator, which ensures accurate registering. Mr. Langfier showed a number of positive and negative reels of celluloid photographs, including a set of 1200 snap-shots taken about 11.30 on that same morning of skating at the Morland pond. He also handed each member a print taken from one of the above negatives, about fifty prints being thus distributed, all made within the course of about six hours. The estimated exposure of the foregoing negatives was between one-two-hundredth and one one-hundredth of a second. Mr. T. J. Harrison, who, on behalf of Messrs. Bender, constructed the improved grand kinematograph, from the designs of his son, Mr. G. H. Harrison, explained some of the technical difficulties which had to be surmounted in perfecting the machine. Many questions having been put and answered, the meeting accorded Mr. Langfier a loudly expressed vote of thanks. Mr. Kough was selected to audit the accounts for presentation to the annual meeting. The Mayor (Coun. Martin Luther Moss), with several other gentlemen, was elected a member of the Club.
The British Journal of Photography, 5 février 1897, p. 94.
C'est également l'occasion de présenter une nouvelle vue, Skating at the Morland Pond, prise le matin même. Les présentations de l'appareil restent peu nombreuses. En janvier, Adolph Langfier présente son Grand Kinematograph au Theatre Royal de Croydon. En avril, c'est à la synagogue d'Hammersmith que sont projetées les vues animées :
HAMMERSMITH AND WEST KENSINGTON SYNAGOGUE
The annual distribution of prizes, and Purim entertainment, to the pupils attending the religion and Hebrew classes, in connection with the Hammersmith and West Kensington Synagogue, Brook Green took place on Thursday, thw 25th ulto., at he Broadway Lecture Hall, Hammersmith.
[...]
Dr. Friedlander returned thanks, and the second part of the programme was proceeded with. It consisted as follows: -pianoforte solo, Mr. Frank Hamblin; Song, "The Promise of Life," Mrs. I. Sandheim; doulogue, "How to manage a Baby," Misses Sadie Collins and Beatrice Freedman: grand kinematograph, exhibited by Mr. A. Langfier. The proceedings concluded with "God Save the Queen," the solo being taken by Mrs. I. Sandheim.
The West London Observer, vendredi 2 avril 1897, p, 7.
Peu après, Aldoph Langfier devient l'un des responsables de la nouvelle "Bender & Langfier" :
We are informed that in future Messrs. Bender & Co., of Croydon, will trade under the style of Bender & Langfier. The firm's new address is 242, London-road, Croyon.
The British Journal of Photography, 9 avril 1897, p. 236.
The Velograph Syndicate (juin-[novembre] 1897)
Coïncidence ou choix assumé, toujours est-il que le nom "Grand Kinematograph" est remplacé par celui de "Velograph" au moment du jubilé de la reine Victoria. Il s'agit essentiellement d'adapter l'appareil pour qu'il puisse passer des films en 35 mm bien plus courant que le 70 mm, un format très particulier.
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| The Photographic Dealer, juin 1897, p. XXV. | The Magic Lantern Journal and Photographic Enlarger. Almanac & Annual., 1897-8. © Le Grimh |
Adolph Langfier continue à tourner des films comme le Derby de 1897 et le Jubilé de la reine Victoria :
THE Velograph Syndicate, of 242, London-road, Croydon, send as some specimen strips of animated photographs of the principal parts of the Jubilee procession. The pictures are of great excellence.
British Journal of Photography, 2 juillet 1897, p. 427.
La qualité photographique des productions de Bender & Langfier semble avoir un certain retentissement en Europe :
MESSRS. BENDER & LANGFIER, of 242, London-road, Croydon, have just received, at the German Photographic Convention at Hanover, the first prize, silver medal, and diploma.
The British Journal of Photography, 10 septembre 1897, p. 588.
Peu après, la collaboration entre Victor Bender et Adolph Langfier prend fin.
The Langfier Cinématographe (décembre 1897-mai 1898)
Dès le mois de décembre, Adolph Langfier présente sous son propre nom son cinématographe. Il donne ainsi une représentation à Leamington (décembre 1897), puis un autre à Croydon (décembre). À la suite de la fin de la collaboration entre Bender et Langfier, ce dernier ouvre un nouveau local à Chiswick (Londres) :
MR. A. LANGFIER writes us that he has withdrawn from partnership in the firme of Bender & Langfier, of Croydon, and has also resigned his position as managing director of Velograph Syndicate, Croydon. He has now opened an office at 494 High Road, Chiswick, where he is prepared to receive orders for enlargements by all processes, and will carry on an agency for cinematographs, films, and all animated photography supplies.
The Photographic Dealer, 1898, v. 4-5, p. 68.
The Entr'acte, Londres, samedi 26 février 1898, p. 6.
Au cours des premiers mois de l'année 1898, Adolph Langfier continue à exploiter son cinématographe et fait passer dans la presse des encarts publicitaires. En mai 1898, il figure dans un spectacle donné au New Tivoli de Manchester.
Par ailleurs, l'année 1898 voit la fin de l'association entre Louis Langfier et son neveu Louis Saul Langfier qui obtient sa naturalisation (15 avril 1898) :
THE Business of Photographers and Portrait Artists carried on by the Subscribers at 158 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, under the Name or Style of LANGFIER and LANGFIER & CO., was DISSOLVED of mutual consent, as at 9th May 1898, in consequence of the Business being converted into a Limited Liability Company.
The Limited Company will collect all accounts due to the dissolved Firm, and all accounts incurred prior to the Dissolution will be paid at 158 Sauchiehall Street aforesaid.
LOUIS LANGFIER.
LOUIS S. LANGFIER.
A. D. MENZIES, of 204 West George Street, Glasgow, Writer,
CHARLES S. CAMPBELL, of 204 West George Street, Glasgow, Law-Clerk, Witnesses to the Signatures of Louis Langfier and Louis Saul Langfier.
ADAM EDELSHAIN.
JAMES R TAIT, of 79 West Regent Street, Glasgow, Writer,
JAMES SCOTLAND, of 79 West Regent Street, Glasgow, Law-Clerk, Witnesses to the Signature of Adam Edelshain.
Glasgow, 13th October 1898.
The Edinburgh Gazette, Edimbourg, 14 octobre 1898, p. 1011.
Et après... (1900-1947)
C'est au tournant du siècle qu'Adolph Langfier ouvrent un nouvel établissement photographique à New York. La revue Wilson's photographic magazine, en 1901, dresse ainsi son portrait :
Mr. A. Langfier, of New York (the righ-hand figure in the portrait group of the brothers shown among our engravings), has had a long training in every branch of portraiture, and has received many medals at various art exhibitions durint the past few years. Although a portraitist first and last, he is peculiarly skileed in design, in coloring and in finishing. A feature of his work, which we hope to show in a later issue, is the special design in monoting or color, which so often surronds his large portraits.
[...]
Since his arrival in New York a few months ago Mr. Langfier has very successfully developed a branch of portraiture little known on this side, viz., artistic portraiture at the country homes of this patrons. This speciality is a big feature of the European studios of Langfier, Limited, where it is a frequent occurrence for an operator to be asked to spend four or five days at the home of this or that member of the nobility, during which visit the patron and his children or guests are photographed amid the varying surroundings of their daily life and pleasures.
Wilson's photographic magazine,vol. 38, nº 536, août 1901, p. 309 et 313.
Il est probable qu'Adolph Langfier ait fait plusieurs fois l'aller-retour entre l'Angleterre et les États-Unis. Il dispose ainsi d'un stand à Bath, à l'occasion de la "Convention" :
PHOTOGRAPHIC NOTES
[...]
The Watford Camera Club has undertaken to photographically record all the objects of archaeiogical interest in Hertfordshire.
[...]
DEMONSTRATIONS AT THE CONVENTION
One of the very useful functions of the Convention is enabling photographers from all parts of the country to see processes (which are not necesarily new) demonstrated by some of the best experts.
[...]
Another demonstration which proved most attrative was that of Mr. Adolf Langfier, and the Photolinol Co., who erected a studio in the gallery of the meeting hall, where they photographed many local and visiting celebrities by means of the Cooper-Hewitt mercury vapour lamp.
Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette, Bath, jeudi 2 août 1906, p. 6.
Il a d'ailleurs conservé son établissement à Londres comme l'atteste la note suivante :
ADOLPH LANGFIER
154, Holland Park Avenue, Kensington, London, W.
TELEPHONE 2068 PADDINGTON
A Collection of every day in portraiture.
The Royal Photographic Society, vol. 46, septembre-octobre 1906, p. 49.
Le séjour américain a dû durer quelques années au moins jusqu'en février 1908 où Adolph Langfier accompagné de sa famille quittent Southampton et partent pour New York où ils arrivent le 23 du même mois. Il semble pourtant que la situation financière se soit dégradée. En effet, en novembre 1909, Bessie Langfier et Louisa, Emily et Sybel arrivent à Glasgow en provenance de New York. Un entrefilet publié en août 1910 laisse à penser qu'Adolph Langfier - mais il pourrait aussi s'agir du fils de Louis Langfier, le "Napoléon de la photographie", son cousin :
YORK BANKRUPTCY COURT.
A HARROGATE PHOTOGRAPHER'S FAILURE
At the York Bankruptcy Court on Friday, before the Registrar (Mr. J. Perkins), the public examination took place of Adolph Langfier, late of 39, James Street, Harrogate, photographer.
Ripon Gazette, jeudi 4 août 1910, p. 2.
Quoiqu'il en soit, Adolph Langfier est recensé à Londres, avec sa famille, en 1911, ce qui est également le cas de Samuel Langfier (recensement) et de James Maurice Langfier (recensement). L'année suivante, il prend la direction de The Luxenburg Studios (146 & 148, Oxford St.) dans la capitale britannique.
The Jewish Chronicle, vendredi 24 mai 1912, p. 13.
Dès le début de la 1re Guerre Mondiale, James Maurice Langfier, cousin d'Adolph, qui est déjà installé au Canada, va prendre part aux combats au sein de la Force expéditionnaire canadienne. Quant à Adolph, il parcourt le front de guerre à la recherche de clichés qu'il agrandit et qu'il peint sur toile :
SPECIAL PROCESS USED FOR WAR PHOTOGRAPHY
Mr. A. Langfier, the English Artist,
Has Exhibition at Galerie des
Artistes Modernes.
An interesting exhibition of photographic paintings of war subjects is being held by the English artist, Mr. A. Langfier, at the Galerie des Artistes Modernes, 19 rue Caumartin. The pictures are produced by a special process in painted photography, giving an artistic effect to a photograph that might appear hard and cut.
M. Langfier has made visits to various parts of the front, where he has taken ordinary photographs. He has enlarged these photographs and then painted them lightly on canvas, thus gaining the composition of a true picture, and has then painted over this thinly-printed photograph, producing a unique effect.
The exhibition itself is to some extent a brief history of the war as it contains pictures of all phases of the work of the Allied armies, besides portraits of some of the generals.
The work of the British women in the ammunition factories is shown in a canvas, giving some idea of what the acetelyne welding is in the Grahame-White Aviation Company at Hendon.
Another picture shows the ruins in the “Streets of Creil.” Another is a scene in the Meurthe-et-Moselle. There is still another, showing the American ambulances in action and a view of the wounded in the American Hospital at Neuilly. Other subjects are: "Awaiting the Enemy: A French Cavalry Patrol with the British"; "United States Soldier Receiving a Letter from Home"; "Australian Band Marching Through Burning Bapaume"; "American Convoy Leaving for Zone of Battle," and other war subjects of marked interest.
The portraits are perhaps the best of the collection. One of the British Premier, Mr. David Lloyd George, is particularly striking, and one of the King of the Belgians, in pastel, is good. There are others of Marshal Foch, General Pershing, Vice-Admiral Sims, General Sir William R. Birdwood and Lieutenant-General Sir W. P. Pulteney.
The exhibition will remain open daily until next Tuesday.
The New York Herald (European Edition), Paris, vendredi 27 septembre 1918, p. 2.
Après le conflit, un scandale va secouer la famille Langfier. L'épouse de Louis Saul Langfier dirige plusieurs clubs à Londres. Le caractère trouble de ces activités va la conduire devant les tribunaux.
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| Miss Pearl Lyndon | Fife Criminal Register Photographs; Reference: A/AAX 7/3/4. |
Pour sa part, Adolph Langfier va s'installer à Nice vers le milieu des années 1920 :
Mr. Adolphe Langfier, the celebrated London photographer, who has settled in Nice has for some time been taking views of the beautiful gardens of the famous villas along the coast, one of the most notable of these being the Villa Les Bruyères, the residence of the Duke of Connaught, Villa Rosemary the residence of Sir John and Lady Ward and the remarkable Italian gardens of Mr. Talbot Taylor's villa.
The Menton & Monte Carlo News, 10 avril 1926, p. 1.
Il habite, avec d'autres membres de sa famille, à la Villa Langfier (Château des Beaumettes) qui date de [1925]. Cette même année voit la disparition de Louis, Saul Langfier, frère d'Adoph.
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| The New York herald (European Edition), Paris, dimanche 23 janvier 1927, p. 9. | Adolph Langfier près de la tombe de son frère Louis Saul [D.R.] |
En 1931, Elizabeth, Iris et Cécilia Langfier sont recensées au Château des Beaumettes, mais peu après, la villa est saisie et la famille doit quitter Nice. Quelques années plus tard, en 1939, Adolf - curieusement prénommé "Abraham" - Langfier, sa femme Elizabeth et leur deux filles Sybil et Cecilia sont recensés à Londres (Paddington). Il décède en 1947.
Adolph Langfier [D.R.]
Sources
BARNES John, The Beginnings of The Cinema in England 1894-1901. Vol. 1 1894-1896, Exeter, University of Exeter Press, 1976, 294 p.
"A notable scottish studio", Wilson's photographic magazine, vol. 35, nº 504, décembre 1898, p. 547-550.
"Messrs. Langfier", The Era, Londres, samedi 24 juin 1899, p. 9.
"A Chat With Mr. Louis Langfier", The Sketch, 26 juin 1901, p. 22.
"Langfier-portraitist", Wilson's photographic magazine, vol. 38, nº 536, août 1901, p. 297-314.
"Forgotten Ancestors", Miss Pearl Lyndon & Her Strange Career. https://loobiloo5.wordpress.com/2018/04/22/miss-pearl-lyndon/
