Aberystwyth on Camera

These photographs have been selected from a small archive that survived from the business of Pickfords, commercial photographers in Aberystwyth 1919-1972. Most, if not all these images have never been exhibited before. The photographic business that became Pickfords evolved from Carl Holt’s studio, sold in 1871 to E R Gyde who spent nearly fifty years photographing in the town. The earliest photographs in this exhibition are his, taken on 25 x 30 cm glass plates. Before his death in 1919 Gyde was briefly in partnership with Mr H G Pickford who then took over the business. Pickfords is fondly remembered by generations of townspeople. Pickfords was the go-to place for wedding, baby or passport photos and for developing and printing. Its driving forces were Mr H G Pickford (1880-1947) and his son Glynn Pickford (1909-2001), the latter being responsible for the majority of the photographs in this exhibition.