Salute to great work in image’s double take

Oct 4 2007 by Paula Owens, Liverpool Daily Post

Recreation of an historic photograph Boys on the Ferry of a photograph from the E Chambre Hardman collection _320

AN ATMOSPHERIC photograph showing schoolboys on the Mersey ferry was yesterday recreated to honour the work of a great Liverpool photographer.

Phil Scrutton took the photo as the ferry returned to the Pier Head to capture as closely as possible the scene depicted in Edward Chambré Hardman’s original.

It marks the launch of Liverpool through the Lens – a collection of Hardman’s images depicting scenes of the city in the mid-20th century. Hardman, regarded as the city’s foremost portrait and landscape photographer, lived at 59 Rodney Street from 1947 until he died in 1988.

Following his death, the Daily Post spearheaded a campaign to keep his archive and studio on Merseyside and in 2004, after being obtained by the National Trust, the studio opened to the public.

Yesterday’s recreation of Schoolboys on the Ferry – the new book’s front cover image – featured children from Birkenhead Preparatory School. The boys joined the 9.10am ferry at Woodside.

Mr Scrutton, from Liverpool, said: “It was great to take part in the book launch and get an opportunity to follow in the footsteps of one of Liverpool’s best-known photographers.

“It wasn’t all that easy to recreate the original, as these days the ferries are not exactly the same, but we did our best to position the boys as in the original and get a similar backdrop.”

National Trust Liverpool property manager Simon Osborne said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Merseytravel for enabling us to use a ferry for the launch, so we could recreate Schoolboys on the Ferry – the front-cover image of the book.

“I’m sure Hardman would have been delighted that the launch event was taking place in this way. I would also like to thank staff and pupils from Birkenhead Preparatory School who kindly agreed to help us recreate this historic image.”

He added: “We are delighted to be able to publish this wonderful book in celebration of Liverpool’s forthcoming year as European Capital of Culture.

“Hardman’s images are a unique source of memories of Liverpool in days gone by, and help us to see how the city has grown and developed over the last seven decades.”

Cllr Mark Dowd, chairman of Merseytravel, said: “The ferries have a rich history dating back many hundreds of years and many photos have been taken of them. However, there are very few as striking as Edward Chambré Hardman’s Schoolboys on the Ferry. We are delighted to remember his talent and support the launch of a book that captures Liverpool through the years.”

Hardman took over 142,500 photographs, many of which are being conserved at Liverpool Record Office. But, also, many of his photos have vanished, including his most famous, Birth of the Ark Royal, taken in 1950.

LIVERPOOL through the Lens is available priced £15.99 from National Trust shops and many bookshops.

Mr Hardman’s photographic studio is open from Wednesdays to Sundays until October 28, between 11am and 4.15pm.

Visitors can gain entrance to the property by timed ticket and guided tour.

For information, call 0151 709 6261 or email 59rodneystreet@nationaltrust.org.uk

paulaowens@dailypost.co.uk