The Barnes Collection is a collection of film apparatus and ephemera relating to pioneering Victorian filmmakers from Brighton and Hove. It was purchased by Hove Museum & Art Gallery in 1997 with money from the Headley Trust and the Friends of Hove Museum.
The collection was bought from collectors John and William Barnes and was previously housed at their museum in St. Ives.
Contents of the Collection
The Barnes Collection includes a variety of equipment and ephemera relating to Victorian film pioneers local to Brighton and Hove. These filmmakers were known as the Brighton School and includes James Williamson, George Albert Smith, Alfred Darling, Charles Urban and William Friese-Greene. Equipment on display includes Williamson’s Aerial camera, which was used for reconnaissance during the first half of the twentieth-century, and Alfred Darling’s Biokam.
Along with film equipment, the Barnes Collection incorporates a large variety of ephemera including cabinet photographs, carte-de-visite photographs, theatre programmes, catalogues, articles, books, episcope cards and Victorian postcards.
Significance of the Collection
The Brighton School significantly influenced film history, both nationally and internationally, and the importance of the Barnes Collection reflects this significance. Indeed, many of the film techniques developed by the Brighton School are still used in modern cinema. For instance, George Albert Smith is credited with the invention of the close-up shot and using double exposure to create special effects.
Smith also developed Kinemacolor which was the first commercially successful colour film technique. James Williamson was one of the first filmmakers to cut between different shots in order to aid narrative technique.
Charles Urban, although of American decent, is often heralded as the most significant figure in early British cinema. Urban was the driving force behind the Warwick Trading Company and helped develop the Bioscope film projector. The Warwick Trading Company focussed on documentary and news film and worked closely with two of the first war correspondents, John Benett-Stanford and Joe Rosenthal.
WebFind: Exploring the Barnes Museum of Cinematography, St Ives, Cornwall in the 1970s – downthetubes.net
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mhairi
i just bought a large content of probate from william barnes home i have loads of ephemera, could you advice
kevinbacon
I will pass your email address on to a colleague in case they are able to advise.
Kevin
Tony Grisoni
Hi there, I am investigating the Barnes Brothers legacy. I am curious to know if actual film or film cans were included in the probate you acquired.
Best, Tony
CATHY
We are looking for more references to my grandfather, David William Gobbett of Brighton & California. 1884 – 1973. We find information about his work in the States, but little connected to Brighton. His brother was Thomas James Gobbett • 1882 – 1915 . There is an indication that DWG filmed in South Africa in 1902, the Boer War. Any leades are welcome
Victoria Matthews
Hi Cathy. I’ve just seen this comment. My great grandfather was Thomas James Gobbett, and my family has some photos and other details about his and David William’s films.
You can contact me on victorialewis@hotmail.com
Best wishes, Victoria