Reference
Z1691
Title
Photographs and slides taken by Mr James George Rhind (1915-1995)
Date free text
1950s-1995
Production date
From: 1950 To: 1995
Admin/biog history
James George Rhind was born in London on the 16th May 1915. He always called himself John Rhind. He met and married Joyce Garman when he was in the army and stationed at Steyning, Sussex before being sent abroad during the Second World War. They moved to Luton, where Mrs Rhind worked as a land girl growing tomatoes in the greenhouses at Luton Hoo, while John found himself in India in the Signals Regiment and later at Dunkirk.
After the war John took up the job in Vauxhall Motors as an “experimental assistant”, later progressing to ‘design engineer’. He test drove vehicles and subsequently worked on improving car safety. Ironically he disliked cars, being a keen cyclist. He won several awards for mountain cycling in France and was a member of the North Road Cycling Club as well as the Camera Club in London.
He developed and printed all the black and white photos in a converted bedroom in the family home 51 Ashburnham Road. Mr Rhind died in February 1995.
Gift of the photographer's daughter.
Scope and Content
Photographs of Luton and surrounding area taken by the depositor's father - James George Rhind (1915-1995) Including some interior and test shots from Vauxhall, where the photographer worked. Prints and 35mm slides.
System of arrangement
The original order of the material in this collection has not been maintained. The photographs have been sorted into the following series levels:
Z1691/1 Photographs of Luton. These have been listed alphabetcially by street name using the name of the street that appears to be the focus of the picture. Where this is unclear, such as in a panoramic view or it has not been possible to identify a location, then the image has been listed in Z1691/9. The photographs are listed by consecutive property number, not odds then evens. Street names and numbers are contemporary to when the photographs were taken where possible using maps and 1939, 1968, 1972 and 1975 street directories. However, due to the amount of building work and changes that Luton has undergone this has not always been possible and modern street names and numbers have been used. Information for some locations has also been provided from visitors to two events held at Luton Central Library in September and November 2018. This information has been checked where possible. Where this has not been possible the item entry makes it clear that information has come from a contributor. Where discrepancies occurred the Street Directory/map was used followed by the most frequently occurring response by contributors. The street directories have been used to provide approximate dates.
This series also includes two scrapbooks of photographs (Z1691/1/2 and Z1691/1/3). Please see the attached pdf document for a list of the contents.
Z1691/2 Black and white and colour slides of Luton taken by Mr James George Rhind (1915-1995), mostly labelled and dated. Dates may be when taken, when developed or possibly used in a talk. Some include codes that may relate to developing or camera used. These have been listed as above.
Z1691/3 Black and white and colour photographs of Bedfordshire locations, excluding Luton which can be found in Z1691/1.
Z1691/4 Colour slides of Bedfordshire locations, excluding Luton which are in reference Z1691/2. Taken by Mr James George Rhind (1915-1995), labelled and dated. Dates may be when taken, when developed or possibly used in a talk. Some include codes that may relate to developing or camera used.
Z1691/5 Photographs taken by Mr James George Rhind of people. Photographs in this series are of people where they appear to have been the focus of the photographer rather than the location they are in. Although many of the locations are unlabelled attempts have been made to add locations where possible. Most appear to have been taken in and around Luton unless noted otherwise.
Z1691/6 Photographs taken by Mr James George Rhind of vehicles. Includes display of classic cars held at recreation ground, Vauxhall Motors, Osborne Road, Luton and at events in unidentified locations.
Z1691/7 Photographs taken by Mr James George Rhind of sports and entertainment events and activities.
Z1691/8 Artistic photographs taken by Mr James George Rhind (1915-1995). Contains photographs that appear to have been taken for their artistic value rather than recording a location, event or individual.
Z1691/9 Photographs of views and unidentified buildings and locations taken by James George Rhind (1915-1995). Photographs in this section include images where the location is the focus of the picture, but is of a general nature and not specific to a particular street. Others are of unidentified locations, but possibly Luton.
Authority to weed given, transfer out county material to other repositories.
Level of description
fonds