Active in Southampton 1881 - early 1920s
The Street Directory for 1884 listed George Mason, Umbrella Maker and photographer at 5 Hanover Buildings. In the same year Mason was included in the photographers section of Stevens Southampton directory. Mason's father was an Umbrella Manufacturer, and George Mason and his sister initially followed their father into that business. The 1881 census recorded George Mason and his sister as Umbrella makers in the High St, Ryde, Isle of Wight. Two months after the 1881 census was taken, Mason returned to Southampton and married at the Wesleyan Chapel in East Street.
1884 Street Listings
In the early 1880s Mason moved away from the Umbrella business and began making Photographic Magic Lantern Slides. Mason's inclusion in the Photographers section of the 1884 Stevens Directory was unique, as he specifically made lantern slides and did not produce carte de visite and cabinet card portraits as the other photographers did.
The 1887 commercial listings included George Miles Mason's Magic Lantern Depot at 5 Hanover Buildings. Around this time Mason and family moved to North Front, where Mason gave his occupation for the 1891 census as Artist.
George Mason and family had moved to Dorset Street by the time of the 1901 census, and Mason gave his occupation as Photographic Lantern Slide Maker. In 1911 his 4 adult children were living in Dorset Street with their parents, and Mason and his eldest son both gave their occupations as Photographic Lantern Slide Makers.
George Miles Mason retired to Portswood in the early 1920s.
George Miles Mason retired to Portswood in the early 1920s.
Unattributed Southampton Lantern Slide early 1900s.