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Les origines (1863-1896)

George H. Philp, en 1889, participe à la 57^e Exposition de la Royal  Cornwall Polytechnic Society :

The domestic lighting departement is under the super-intendence of Mr. G. H. Philp, of Falmouth.

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Cornish Echo and Falmouth & Penryn Times, samedi 14 septembre 1889, p. 5.

Il donne également des conférences au cours desquelles il projette des vues fixes :

LECTURE AT THE RUNNACLEAVE HALL.-On Monday night, by the enterprise of Mr. E J. Tamlyn, a lecture on "The Chicago Exhibition," was given by Mr. G. Hastings Philp, in the above Hall. There was a moderate attendance. The views were very good, and were shown by an oxy-hydrogen triple light, of great power.

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North Devon Journal, Barnstaple, jeudi 18 janvier 1894, p. 5.

Gloucester Citizen, Gloucester, mardi 8 mai 1894, p. 2.

Dès 1895, il accompagne d'un diorama ses conférences :

WALLINGFORD.
DIORAMA AND LECTURE.-Mr. G. Hastings Philp gave a dioramic lecture entitled "Very far East, my voyate to China and Japan," at the Free Library, on Wednesday evening. The lecture was interesting personal description, illustrated by a large number of views of the two eastern countries which are now attracting so large a share of public attention.

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Reading Mercury, Reading, samedi 26 janvier 1895, p. 4.

Le Cinématographe (1897-1906)

Dès 1897, George Hastings Philp va faire équipe avec Thomas James West et les deux hommes vont ainsi exploiter un appareil cinématographique :

The manipulation of the cinematograph is the capable hands of Mr. G. Hastings Philp, of Weston-road, Gloucester, who has accompanied Mr. West on hie tours since the year 1897.

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Gloucester Journal, Gloucester, samedi 6 décembre 1902, p. 5.

Philp s'occupe de faire fonctionne le projecteur alors que West fait office de bonimenteur ou de conférencier. Dans ses souvenirs, ce dernier évoque cette collaboration : 

Then came the cinematograph, and I quickly recognised the possibilities of this wonderful invention, and was one of the first in, as a touring exhibitor of the same. I started on a tour in Scotland, and, in response to an advertisement for an operator, I had an application from Mr. George Hastings Philp, and he was at once engaged, and seeing that he is still with me at the present day in the responsible post of my principal buyer is eloquent of a mutual appreciation.

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WEST, 1912: 817

En 1901, George Hastings Philp est recensé avec les siens à Gloucester (recensement 1901). Alors que Thomas James West voyage en Nouvelle-Zélande (1905), puis en Australie (1906), il continue à assurer les tournées en Grande-Bretagne.

Et après... (1907-1923)

Alors que Thomas James West se rend aux États-Unis en avril 1909, c'est G. H. Philp qui prend la direction de l'entreprise :

Mr. West Abroad.
Mr. T. J. West, of West's Pictures is starting on Friday, April 23rd, on a flying visit to Canada and the United States. He sails from Liverpool on the C.P.R. Steamer and is due in Quebec on April 30th. His Itinerary is as follows : Regina, Winnipeg, St. Paul, Minneapolis, Chicago, Buffalo, Niagara, and New York. He is booked to return from New York on the Lusitania on May 19th, and hopes to be back in London on May 26th. Mr. G. H. Philp will be in entire control of his London office during his absence, and will attend to all business as usual.

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Kinematograph Weekly, jeudi 15 avril 1909, p. 9.

La même revue rappelle que l'association entre les deux hommes est ancienne et qu'ils sont tout à fait complémentaires :

In our Special Number reference was made to Mr. West's early activities as a lecturer. It was not there stated, however, that it was at this time, thirteen years ago, that he was first joined by his present popular chief of staff, Mr. G. H. Philp. Mr. Philp had no less than ten lanterns to manipulate in illustration of Mr. West's remarks, which called for the use of slides with rather elaborate dissolving and other effects, in addition to the living pictures, while Mr. West often lectured continuously for two hours.
The long association of these two gentlemen had hardly an auspicious beginning. Mr. Philp took it into his head that a gas cylinder was leaking, and requested Mr. West to hold his thumb over the mouth while he tested the sides with a match. Sure enough a small flame manifested itself, and at this moment Mr. West absent-mindedly removed his finger from the nozzle. The emerging stream of gas shot up and caught the beard which Mr. West was at that time wearing, completely removing if from one side of his face. As this gave him a one-sided appearance hardly suitable for a lecturer he shaved it off altogether, and has not troubled to grow it since.
Mr. West shortly goes on another trip to Australia. The date is uncertain for the rather curious reason that, as a keen politician "T. J." has determined to remain in England long enough to record his vote at the General Election which we are all expecting !

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The Kinematograph & Lantern Weekly, 11 novembre 1909, p. 3.

Il est recensé à Londres en 1911 (recensement 1911). En 1913, la société General Film Agency est fondée avec un capital de £6,000 et il en devient l'un des membres :

GENERAL FILM AGENCY, LIMITED. (126,155)-This company was registered on December 24th, with a capital of £6,000 in £1 shares (2,000 participating preference), to carry on the business indicated by the title. Private company. The subscribers are to appoint the first directors. Secretary: E. Zwicky. Registered office: 58, Dean Street, Soho, W.

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The Bioscope, jeudi 9 janvier 1913, p. 117.

Peter, Mr. George H. Philp, of the General Film Agency, Limited.
The Bioscope, Londres, 23 avril 1914, p. 360.

Il décède en 1923.

Sources

WEST T. J., "WEST'S PICTURES. Look on this Picture, and on that; or, How I lost my Whiskers", The Bioscope, jeudi 12 décembre 1912, p. 815. 817.

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