Active in Southampton 1851 -1857

Advertisement 1855, with 'suggestions relative to dress'.

The Barter brothers were both born in Fordingbridge in the New Forest. Soon after George was born the family moved to Southampton and re-located their watch, clock and jewellery making business to 15 High Street. In 1851 the Hampshire Independent newspaper carried an advertisement for 'superior coloured photographic portraits' taken by Mr Baum, Photographic artist, at 15 High Street. The Barters may have purchased the equipment to take daguerreotype portraits and employed Mr Baum to operate it and instruct them, as one year later The Hampshire Advertiser carried an advertisement for T.W and G.G Barter, watch manufacturers, goldsmiths and jewellers, and their Daguerreotype Portrait Gallery. The advertisement stated that G.G Barter had been practising for some time with a 'celebrated daguerreotypist', presumably Mr Baum. Another advertisement in September 1852 offered stereoscopic photographs: 2 photographs taken from slightly different angles and combined to create one picture with a 3 dimensional effect, seen through a purpose built stereoscopic viewer. 

The Barters' competition was from Professor Leslie, across the High Street at number 180, (see entry for Professor Leslie). Professor Leslie advertised his American Premium Daguerreotype and Photographic portrait Rooms, and cautioned the public against 'pretended and inexperienced artists'. In 1853 Professor Leslie saw a new opportunity and moved to the Isle of Wight to set up his business in Ryde. 

Southampton Post Office Directory 1853

In 1857 Messrs Barter were included in the photographers sections of Forbes Southampton Directory with 2 other Photographers, ( see G Latter and WG Smith). Later in the same year Thomas and George Barter announced the dissolution of their partnership in The London Gazette. Around this time new photographic processes were being introduced, and portraits on paper were more affordable to the wider population than daguerreotypes. The brothers returned to watch and clock making: George in the Old Street area of London, and Thomas at 160 High St, Southampton.

In 1871 Thomas moved back to Fordingbridge with his family and carried on his watch making and jewellery business there until he died in 1890. George worked as a watch maker in Clerkenwell until his death in 1884.