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Les origines (1856-1896)

Edwin Sydney Catlin réside avec sa famille à Londres (recensement 1861). Il seconde son père qui présente des vues fixes avec une lanterne magique, alors qu'il est âgé de treize ans :

Mr. Catlin first assisted his father at a public lantern entertainment March 15th, 1869.

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The Kinematograph & Lantern Weekly, 13 avril 1911, p. 1575.

En 1878, il épouse Elizabeth Fickle. Il est toujours recensé à Londres en 1891.

Le cinématographe (1897-1906)

Il va apprendre son métier de cinématographiste auprès des pionniers dont Joseph Rosenthal :

has gained the major portion of his experience with old established firms as Messrs. Brandon Medland, Chatham Pexton, J. E. Baines, Walter Gibbons, Bio Tableaux, Edisonograph, Matt Raymond, and others. Mr. Catlin's first practical experience of kinematography was gained under the careful tuition of Mr. Joe Rosenthal, and scarcely a make of lantern or kinematograph has been produced in the history of the trade that has not been manipulated by Mr. Catlin. The first moving picture machine he used was Ottway's "Animatoscope," and the machine he has in use at present is the Tyler-Ernemann" Imperator."

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The Kinematograph & Lantern Weekly, 13 avril 1911, p. 1575.

En 1901, il est toujours recensé à Londres (Islington).

Et après... (1907-1931)

Edwin S. Catlin est l'un des fondateurs de la National Association of Cinematograph Operators (N.A.C.O.) :

A GENERAL meeting the Bioscope Operators’ Association was held on Tuesday afternoon 29. Wellington street. Strand, Mr. Catlln, the president in the chair. A letter was read from the London County Council with reference to certain matters, and it was stated that the Theatres and Music Halls Committee would receive a deputation from the Association. The Association is preparing a series of examination papers for operators applying for membership, this taking practical steps to ensure that all members shall thoroughly qualified. The Association does not look with favour upon the examinations recently initiated by the Manufacturers' Association. By a unanimous vote it was decided to alter the title to read as follows:- "National Association of Cinematograph Operators” (Branch No. 10., N.A.T.E.), representing qualified operators of animated picture apparatus. Applications for membership are steadily flowing in from all parts of the country. An interesting paper was read from the representative of the Association in Dublin. The meeting decided to co-operate with other London branches of the N.A.T.E. in organising the annual concert in aid of benevolent funds.

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The Era, Londres, samedi 19 octobre 1907, p. 18.

Parmi d'autres activités, Edwin S. Catlin donne également des conférences :

N.A.C.O. Notes.
LONDON.
The monthly general meeting was held last week in the Rehearsal Room, Bedford Head Hotel, Maiden Lane, W.C., when Mr. E. H. Mason presided.
In presenting the monthly report the Hon. Sec. announced that 23 applications for membership had been received during March, 17 of which were accepted, also four honorary members. The Sunday Opening Question was dealt with, and the members were advised that, in the event of the present L.C.C. proposals coming into force, they must be most careful to see that arrangements for Sunday work are made direct with the various charities concerned.
The piece de resistance of the meeting was the very able lecture delivered by the "Father" of the N.A.C.O., Mr. E. S. Catlin, entitled "The Early Days of Projection." The large array of bills, programs, etc., produced, were ample proof of Mr. Catlin's long and varied experience. Mr. Catlin first assisted his father at a public lantern entertainment March 15th, 1869, and has gained the major portion of his experience with old established firms as Messrs. Brandon Medland, Chatham Pexton, J. E. Baines, Walter Gibbons, Bio Tableaux, Edisonograph, Matt Raymond, and others. Mr. Catlin's first practical experience of kinematography was gained under the careful tuition of Mr. Joe Rosenthal, and scarcely a make of lantern or kinematograph has been produced in the history of the trade that has not been manipulated by Mr. Catlin. The first moving picture machine he used was Ottway's "Animatoscope," and the machine he has in use at present is the Tyler-Ernemann" Imperator."
In proposing a vote of thanks to the lecturer, Mr. John Hutchins, said that Mr. Catlin had won the esteem of all with whom he came in contact, and his advice was often sought by the younger members. He held No. I certificate, was No. I on the books, and No. I in the affections of his fellow members.

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The Kinematograph & Lantern Weekly, 13 avril 1911, p. 1575.

Edwin S. Catlin réside toujours à Londres au recensement de 1911.

"The N.A.CO. annual luncheon"
The Bioscope, jeudi 2 mai 1912, p. 9.

Il est toujours recensé à Londres en 1921. Il décède en 1931.

Sources

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