professional photographer, advertised his Photographic Portrait Gallery at 233 Pitt Street, Sydney, in January 1859. He stated that 'having taken up the above central and commodious premises and fitted up a sky-light gallery and every requisite necessary for carrying on the above art … [he] is now prepared to take photographs in the first style of the art, and fitted in case, from five shillings upwards’. He was in partnership with John Watson in 1861-62, with Olaf William Blackwood in 1863-64, then again on his own until June 1866 when his Pitt Street Gallery was offered for sale at auction. It was described as occupying 'the best situation in Sydney. Has a large connection attached to it, the negatives alone producing a good income, and any person who understands the art could speedily make a fortune. The late proprietor realised an independence in a few years. The camera lenses are the best in the colony’.
Walker moved to new premises at 348 George Street in December, advertising later in the month that he had completed improvements and was ready to resume business. He was offering cartes-de-visite at 7s 6d for half a dozen. By May 1867 the George Street studios had become the 'Premier Photographic Rooms (late Walker’s)’ under the management of Francis Whitfield Robinson and Walker had disappeared from the Sydney photographic scene. He probably returned to Britain. One James Walker published an article, 'Brilliant Prints in Winter’, in the British Journal Photographic Almanac 1876 .
- Writers:
- Staff Writer
- Date written:
- 1992
- Last updated:
- 2011
