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ARCHIVED - William James Topley:
Reflections on a Capital Photographer

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The Studio

Royal Patronage

The studio's major activity-particularly in its early years-was taking portraits. Initially, the Notman name helped attract clientele, but Topley's engaging personality doubtless helped in acquiring royal patronage. He photographed all the Governors General of that period, and had close relations with several of them. The Marquis of Lorne appointed him court photographer and Topley took many views of Rideau Hall and its activities from the 1870s to the 20th century. Topley was invited by the Earl of Minto to accompany the Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V) on his tour across Canada in 1901. In his old age, Topley was still receiving Christmas cards from a number of retired Governors General.

The Topley Studio stamp on the reverse of a printed photograph showing the Governor General's patronage of Topley, Ottawa, March 1900

The Topley Studio stamp on the reverse of a photograph of Miss "Bee" Adams advertising the Governor General's patronage of Topley
March 1900
e008316096
Source

Studio portraits of Lady Dufferin and Lord Dufferin, Governor General of Canada, mounted in a photo album. Ottawa, ca. 1870-1876

Lady Dufferin and Lord Dufferin, Governor General of Canada
Lady Dufferin's photograph was probably taken during the early 1870s, while Lord Dufferin's was taken in February 1876 for the Fancy Ball
e008311394
Source

Studio photograph of Harriot Georgina, Countess of Dufferin, with her children. Photographed in front of a winter backdrop, Ottawa, 1873

Harriot Georgina, Countess of Dufferin with her children
1873
PA-186002
Source

Page from an album with a photographic view from the top of the tobogganing slide at Government House (Rideau Hall), Ottawa, 1878

View from the top of the tobogganing slide at Government House, also known as Rideau Hall.
1878
e008311406
Source

Page from the Minto family album with six photographs of "Theatre Royal" featuring the Minto children in costume, Ottawa, ca. 1899

Page from the Minto family album of "Theatre Royal" featuring the Minto children in costume
ca. 1899
PA-208640
Source

Studio proof from a counter book of Lady Minto skating party on the Ottawa River, Ottawa, December 1901

Lady Minto skating party on the Ottawa River
December 1901
e008311458
Source

Studio proof of a portrait of Lady Minto with her son, Lord Melgund, Ottawa, ca. 1901-1902

Lady Minto with her son, Lord Melgund
ca. 1901-1902
e008311475
Source

Photograph of the royal train used for the cross-Canada tour of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, Field, British Columbia, October 4, 1901

Royal train used for the cross-Canada tour of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, Field, British Columbia
October 4, 1901
PA-012109
Source

Photograph of Lady Aberdeen holding a camera on a train at a Canadian Pacific Railway Station, unknown location, June 1909

Lady Aberdeen at a Canadian Pacific Railway station, unknown location
June 1909
PA-013066
Source

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