Norfolk | ⎯  Salhouse Broad ⎯

Norfolk | ⎯ Salhouse Broad ⎯

A gentleman, similar in appearance to one appearing in his photograph Westons Reach, sits on the ground at left of composition. He looks towards a woman at center, who leans against a tree overlooking what is most likely the River Bure. An open structure with thatched roof is at left along with two other thatched structures at right.

Salhouse Broad, one of the Norfolk Broads, is situated on the River Bure in The Broads in Norfolk, England. The broad is situated just off the river and attracts little through traffic. It lies south of Hoveton Great Broad and approximately half a mile north of the village of Salhouse. – Wikipedia accessed September, 2025

George Christopher Davies: 1849-1922

Davies was “a prolific photographer and writer who played an important role in encouraging popular awareness of the Norfolk Broads.” (1.) The following biography of the artist courtesy: Norfolk Through a Lens: A guide to the Photographic Collections held by Norfolk Library & Information Service –

Born in Shropshire, Davies practised as a solicitor for a time; he first came to Norfolk in 1871 to serve part of his articles. He was later to become Chief Clerk at Norfolk County Council in 1906, also serving as Clerk of the Peace. In his private life he was a nature lover, sportsman and photographer. His skills as a writer did much to popularise the Norfolk Broads as a rural idyll and holiday destination. When he was 27 he wrote ‘The Swan and her Crew’ an adventure story for boys set in the Norfolk Broads which created a great interest and enthusiasm for the area. His major work ‘Handbook to the Rivers and Broads of Norfolk and Suffolk’ was published in 55 editions and contained 12 of his own photographs. Davies also produced other books about the Broads, sailing, Belgian waterways, natural history, fishing, adventure books for children and even some on government administration. Towards the end of his life he acquired Burnt Fen Broad and spent many hours there during his retirement.

  1. George Christopher Davies: Wikipedia: accessed September, 2025
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Norfolk | ⎯ Salhouse Broad ⎯
Photographer
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Dimensions

Image Dimensions10.6 x 14.5 cm laid down

Support Dimensions30.3 x 19.9 cm trimmed, manilla leaf

Print Notes

Recto: The image is laid down on what is most likely a leaf trimmed from an album. The upper margin is titled in black ink in an unknown hand (perhaps by Davies) Norfolk. | titled below image: ⎯  Salhouse Broad. ⎯

-Areas of foxing to photograph & marginal fading; one other photograph laid down on this same leaf: a view printed the same size titled Fritton. ⎯  Assigned 1882 date based on known Davies photograph Postwick Grove.

Provenance

Purchased for this archive in September, 2022 from dealer in Buxton, Derbyshire, United Kingdom: From the owner:I’m afraid the provenance is lost. I purchased these photographs at an auction, they were part of a carton of stock from a retired antique dealer, in Rotherham, Yorkshire. It appears these photographs (leaves) would have belonged together, probably all taken from the same photograph album c.1880s.”