James Dewhurst WALKER

(Ormskirk, 1868-Weymouth, 1935)

walker james portrait

Jean-Claude SEGUIN

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Thomas Walker (Ormskirk, 1834-Lancashire, 12/02/1885) épouse Elizabeth Dewhurst (Preston, 1840-Ormskirk, 10/1887). Descendance :

  • Sarah Walker (Ormskirk, 04/07/1864-Wood Green, 06/1951) épouse Thomas Greenhill (1851-1927). Descendance:
    • Sidney Thomas Walker Greenhill (1888-)
    • Elaine Grenhill (1898-)
    • Walter Douglas Greenhill (1906-) 
  • Elizabeth Walker (Liverpool, 1866-)
  • James Dewhurst Walker (Ormskirk, /07/1868. Bapt. Ormskirk, 09/08/1868-Weymouth, 09/1935) épouse (Sutton, 18/09/1890) Mary Jane Doran (Hayton, 1869-). Descendance:
    • Sidney Thomas Walker (Lancaster, 1891-)
    • Florence Elizabeth Wakler (Lancaster, 1897-) épouse (Lancaster, 26/12/1923) Arthur Gardiner (1899-)
    • Harold Edison Walker (1896-) épouse (Londres, 03/12/1921) {tip} Samuel Roper. Descendance:}Marie, Louise Roper (1899-).
    • Clarence Osmond Walker (1898-1971) épouse Ethel G. Turner
    • Edward Dewhurst Walker (1902-)
    • Doris Walker (1905-)
  • William Dewhurst  Walker ([1870]-Romford, 22/04/1939) épouse Eliza Elizabeth Ireland (1864-). Descendance:
    • Ella Dewhurst Walker (Lancaster, 11/06/1893-Suffolk, 16/10/1978) épouse Sidney Edward Pittock (Mistley 11/12/1893-Ipswicj, 08/08/1982).
    • Robert Anthony Walker (Skereton, 26/09/1897-Raydon, 09/05/1964)
    • Louis Walker (1902-)
    • Elizabeth Hannah Walker (1905-1989)

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À la naissance de James D. Walker, son père figure comme "assistant-grocer" (aide-épicier) dans le recensement de 1871, avant de devenir "grocer" (épicier) lors du recensement de 1881. Peu après son mariage (1890), James D. Walker exerce la profession de "Financial General Agent" (Agent général financier) (recensement 1891). Son intérêt pour le kinetoscope vient probablement en 1894. Le prix du matériel Edison va le conduire, avec l'aide de son frère William, à imaginer et à construire un kinetoscope de leur propre invention, comme le rapporte ce dernier :

Mr. Walker remembers the time when it was impossible to get films without buying a machine, that is to say, not a projector as we know it today, but an Edison kinetoscope. And a film of 45 feet in length would cost about £6 10s. He and his brother Mr. J. D. Walker, made the first kinetoscope of English manufacture when they were working together at Halifax. The usual price of kinetoscopes in those days was £108! With characteristic energy and intuitive inventiveness the brothers Walker succeeded in constructing an improved machine for £60. Film was so scarce in those days that they had to give up making machines for the want of it. Cement for mending purposes, was worth a guinea an ounce. The motive power necessary to drive the kinetoscope required three accumulators, each weighing 901bs.!


The Kinematograph & Lantern Weekly, 28 octobre 1909, p. 1255-1256.

À Halifax, ils installent leur appareil en janvier 1895:

EDISON'S LATEST INVENTION.
THE KINETOSCOPE.
Our AGENT from AMERICA will have for EXHIBITION at nº 8 MARKET STREET Halifax, from NEXT WEDNESDAY Feb. 13, two of these most wonderful inventions. A small charge for admission, to defray expenses and to keep select, will be made (2d). This is far and away the most marvellous thing in the world, surpassing the Phonograph. Come and see the world's greatest Invention. Open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Orders for machines also taken.
EDISON SUPPLY CO.


Halifax Evening Courier, Halifax, samedi 8 février 1895, p. 1.

Ils se rendent ensuite à Bournemouth :

Born some forty-five years ago at Ormskirk in Lancashire, Mr. Walker was as early as the year 1893 [sic] touring his native county with the Edison Kinetoscope subsequently working down south as far as Bournemouth, ans then on to London.


"J. D. Walker's World's Films, Limited", The Bioscope, 12 mars 1914, p. 1117.

La presse locale évoque effectivement la présentation d'un kinetoscope à Bournemouth :

THOMAS A. EDISON'S
Latest and Most Remarkable Invention,
THE KINETOSCOPE.
Marvellous "Living Pictures" of a New Order.
THESE Machines are now being exhibited daily, 10 till 10, at
10, DALKEITH BUILDINGS,
OLD CHRISTCHURCH ROAD, BOURNEMOUTH.
ADMISSION 2D EACH SCENE.
Avail yourself of this opportunity of seeing Edison's Masterpiece.


Bournemouth Guardian, Bournemouth, samedi 8 mars 1895, p. 5.

 Les deux hommes semblent ainsi avoir parcouru le pays pendant plusieurs mois.

The North American Animated Picture Company (1896-1903)

En 1896, il est rejoint par Edward George Turner et les deux hommes vont faire l'acquisition d'un cinématographe Wrench:

In 1896 he was joined by Mr. E. G. Turner, and together they opened offices at 111, Great Eastern Street, E.C., when they very soon found themselves doing a brisk business in the first machine ever put out by Messrs. Wrench, selling in all some 4,000 of these machines...


"J. D. Walker's World's Films, Limited", The Bioscope, 12 mars 1914, p. 1117

La version donnée par Edward George Turner corrobore ces informations :

The First Posters
At this period our office was at my private address at 111, Great Eastern Street, E.C., and we started out under the grand title of The North American Animated Picture Company. Our entertainment consisted of animated pictures, and Edison’s phonograph.
Our first poster invited the public to view “The World’s Wonder – THE CINEMATOGRAPH, by which the Public would see Trains in Actual Motion coming to rest at Platforms and Passengers Alighting – Trees Gracefully bending in the Wind – Waves breaking on the Sea-shore, and the Fattest and Thinnest Wrestlers in the World would go through their Performance in Animated Photography – Also Edison’s marvellous invention, the giant Phonograph”. We invited the public to come, and not only hear this instrument, but have their voices recorded and reproduced before the audience.


Edward, George TURNER , "From 1896 to 1926", Kinematograph Weekly, 17 juin, p. 53.

En novembre 1896, les premières séances de la North American Animated Picture Co. sont alors organisées à Guildford et Godalming. Au cours de leurs différentes tournées, les programmes sont essentiellement composés de vues provenant de chez Maguire & Baucus, Lumière, Paul, Birt Acres... Pourtant, des difficultés financières se font jour et l'avenir ne semble pas très favorable :

On the last day of the old year 1896, three unhappy men met to discuss ways and means for carrying on or closing down-the three men being J. D. Walker, Mackie and E. G. Turner. Mackie was demonstrator or operator, Walker was lecturer, and myself manager and treasurer-the latter office being a mere sinecure, as there were no funds to treasure, and I had to draw upon private means to pay our way.
As the bells announced the birth of a New Year 1897, we closed the books of the North American Animated Picture Company reorganised our finances by my agreeing to provide £100 (which I hoped to borrow and which I succeeded in doing) Walker agreed to take half-share, and pay for his share as and when the business permitted, and Mackie withdrew as it looked an almost hopeless proposition.


Edward, George TURNER , "From 1896 to 1926", Kinematograph Weekly, 17 juin, p. 53.

L'année 1897 ne va pourtant pas entraver leur  désir de poursuivre l'exploitation cinématographique et quelques mois plus tard, ils disposent de trois appareils, dont l'un d'eux sous la responsabilité de Mary Jane Doran, épouse de James D. Walker :

The Fist Woman Operator
At the end of 1897 we had three machines working. Walker operated one, myself the second, and the third was handled by Mrs. Walker handled the mixed gas jet and operated, and she can claim without fear of contradiction to be the first woman operator in the world. She is still in business as managing director of the Empire Cinema Watford.


Edward, George TURNER , "From 1896 to 1926", Kinematograph Weekly, 17 juin, p. 54.

On trouve une confirmation de cette participation dans un autre article:

Correspondence
Sir,-Like yourselves, I admire the " pluck " and clever manipulation of Mrs. Langdon, in the music halls,--but she is not by any means the first in this line. It must be 10 years ago since our mutual friends, Mr. and Mrs. Walker, of Walturdaw, Ltd., came to Lincoln with the kinematograph, and I saw the lady operating the Wrench machine in the middle of the hall. A. H. VIDLER, Lincoln.


The Optical Lantern and Kinematograph Journal, mercredi 15 août 1906, p. 188.

C'est à cette époque que les bureaux de l'entreprise sont transférés à plusieurs reprises :

Soon we moved our offices to the second floor of Wrench's premises at 50, Gray's Inn Road, and after nine to twelve months we shifted our quartiers to Nos 77 and 78, High Holborn.


Edward, George TURNER , "From 1896 to 1926", Kinematograph Weekly, 24 juin, p. 40.

De nombreux opérateurs vont par la suite prêter main forte à l'entreprise: Chas. Harper, C. H. Coles, W. M. Morgan, "Baby" Morgan, E. T. Williams, Jack Herbert, E. Mason, J. Gardiner, George Palmer, W. W. Nethercote, A. Malcolm, W. Walker, F. Hull, H. Luner, Joe Shaw, Harry Last, F. Haward, Will Turner, T. Bosi...

C'est vers 1899 qu'Harry Dawson, qui exerce alors le métier d'instituteur,  va à la rencontre de James D. Walker et  Edward G. Turner, afin d'intégrer l'entreprise :

When we moved to High Holborn, a school master by the name of G. H. J. Dawson, who used to hire films from us, purchased a third interest in ou business, and henceforth we were known as Walker, Turner, and Dawson.


Edward, George TURNER , "From 1896 to 1926", Kinematograph Weekly, 24 juin 1926, p. 40.

Un autre article permet de préciser la chronologie de l'arrivée des différents collaborateurs : 

Pioneers of the Picture. Messrs. Walker, Turner and Dawson. THERE is probably no name more familiar with users of the cinematograph throughout the United Kingdom than "Walturdaw." This trade title is derived from the first syllable of the names of the first three principals in the firm, namely—Mr. J. D. Walker and Mr. E. J. Turner, who started as machine makers only, exhibiting the films of the firms in Great Eastern Street and Stoke Newington, and Mr. J. H. J. Dawson, who entered the business some four years afterwards. A year later they were joined by Mr. Ernest Howard. The firm is a limited company.


Music Hall and Theatre Review, vendredi 4 octobre 1907, p. 228.

Désormais le sort des trois collaborateurs est scellé. Au fil des mois, l'affaire prospère et l'entreprise arrive à employer une vingtaine d'opérateurs. C'est dès 1900 qu'un quatrième collaborateur va rejoindre l'équipe de direction.

walturdaw 1900
Modern magic lanterns and their management, Londres/New York, L. Upcott Gill/Chalres Scribner's Sons, 1900. 

Au recensement de 1901, il figure comme "Entertainer Exhib.". Dès 1902, le nom "Walturdaw" apparaît dans la presse dans l'une des publicités publiées par l'entreprise :

SEVERAL BIOSCOPES, WRENCH Cinematographs, Chrono Cinematographs, Bioscenagraphs. "Walturdaw" new Eventograph takes 1000 ft. film, shows title slides. Highly finished machine. Price, complete, £12 12s.
WALKER, TURNER & DAWSON,
77 & 78 High Holborn, London, W.C.


The Showman, Londres, vendredi 3 janvier 1902, p. vi.

Dès le mois suivant, le nom est encore dans la presse :

TRY WALTURDAW CINEMATOgraph Specialities. Limes, Jets, Cinematographs, Bio-cameras, Bioscopes, Wrench Machines, and all makes of films. Walker, Turner & Dawson, 78 High Holborn, London.


The Showman, Londres, vendredi 14 février 1902, p. iii

Il semble que le nom désigne, à ce moment-là, l'un des appareils mis en vente par la Société.

The Walturdaw (1904-[1925])

L'arrivée d'un quatrième collaborateur, Ernest Howard, marque une nouvelle évolution dans l'entreprise qui désormais va changer de nom pour prendre celui de The Walturdaw (Walker-Turner-Dawson) :

Here we were joined by Ernest Howard, and as the name of Walker, Turner, Dawson, and Howard was cumbersome, we coined the word "Walturdaw," taking the first three letters of the names of the first three members of the company. Up to August, 1904, we worked in partnership, but in this month, we formed into a limited liability company, each of the partners agreeing to serve the new company for ten years.


Edward, George TURNER , "From 1896 to 1926", Kinematograph Weekly, 24 juin 1926, p. 40.

C'est à partir de janvier 1904 que l'on voit apparaître dans la presse une nouvelle mention "Walturdaw Empire Cinematograph". Et finalement, la société est formée en août. Quelques mois plus tard, on trouve dans la presse de grand encart

walturdaw 1904 bioscope
Kinematograph Weekly, Londres, mardi 15 novembre 1904, p. Advertisments.

 

La société déménage à nouveau ses bureaux du 77.78 High Holborn au 3, Dane Street.(elle y est déjà en 1904)

La production de films (1905-1906)

L'année 1905 est celle du début de la production de la Société "Waltudaw":

1909

Mr. W. D. Walker
Mr. William Dewhurst Walker, the head of the Safety Bioscope Company at Kentish Town, is 40 years of age, and a Lancastrian. He has seen a good deal of service in the show world, having been in the phonograph and kinetoscope business some fifteen or twenty years ago. He has shown in practically all the more important towns from the South Coast to the far North of Scotland. Mr. Walker remembers the time when it was impossible to get films without buying a machine, that is to say, not a projector as we know it today, but an Edison kinetoscope. And a film of 45 feet in length would cost about £6 10s. He and his brother Mr. J. D. Walker, made the first kinetoscope of English manufacture when they were working together at Halifax. The usual price of kinetoscopes in those days was £108! With characteristic energy and intuitive inventiveness the brothers Walker succeeded in constructing an improved machine for £60. Film was so scarce in those days that they had to give up making machines for the want of it. Cement for mending purposes, was worth a guinea an ounce. The motive power necessary to drive the kinetoscope required three accumulators, each weighing 901bs.! To-day Mr. Walker is reaping the reward of those periods of pioneering. He occupies a substantial position as a manufacturer and a renter. By his business aptitude he has earned the confidence of showmen all over the country. Throughout the British Isles the Safety Bioscope Hiring Service is known as a reliable service. At the present moment over 200 showmen avail themselves of its unique advantages. And not only far its promptitude, punctuality and reliability in film hiring is the firm noted, but as kinematograph outfitters and manufacturers to the trade. The Safety Projector and the fire proof operating houses and fire proof spool boxes made by this company are well known and appreciated. Very shortly the Safety Bioscope Company will put on the market a new smoke proof operating chamber, and also a new spool box, which will obviate the difficulty in threading.
The business of the Company since its establishment two and a half years' ago has been a record of steady progress. This year its development necessitated removal to larger premises, and in June last the firm migrated from Parkhill Road to "Bioscope House," Southampton Road, and in closer proximity to the factory in Southampton Mews. In the conduct of its ever increasing business of the Safety Bioscope Co., Mr. Walker is ably assisted by his courteous partner, Mr. C. A. S. Escott.The Kinematograph & Lantern Weekly, 28 octobre 1909, p. 1255-1256.

 

recensement 1911

1914

The Andrograph Manufacturing Co. Ltd.: l'un des deux managing Director (Kinematograph Weekly, 21 mai 1914, p. xcii.

J. D. Walker's World's Films, Ltd. (Kinematograph Weekly, 10 septembre 1914, p. 77.

Sources

"J. D. Walker's World's Films, Limited", The Bioscope, 12 mars 1914, p. 1117 et 1119.

WALKER J. D., "Ten Years of Picture Showing", The Kinematograph and Lantern Weekly, 17 mai 1917, p. 19.

WALKER James D., "What the future will bring", The Bioscope, 28 décembre 1916, p. 1250.

WALKER J. D., "Looking Backwards Twenty Years", Kinematograph Weekly, jeudi 8 mars 1917, p. 17-1

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  Grande-Bretagne Guildford    
27/11/1898 Grande-Bretagne Londres  Edmonton Union cinematograph

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