John W. Gray

John W. Gray was a photographer who had a studio in Westborough, Scarborough in the 1920s and possibly before World War I. He also employed other photographers, like William Hayes, to widen the range of subjects offered. The employed photographers were sent to locations across the country to take photographs. Hayes for example went to Scotland for three months in 1924. Gray also owned a recording studio and produced and sold records, radios and other household electrical equipment, alongside the sale of photographic equipment and the production of photographs.. Gray’s was purchased in the late 1960s by Walkers Studios Ltd and Neville Gray, John’s son worked as a photographer for Walkers. Neville and his son David later bought Walkers.

Postcard view of South Sands, Beach, The Grand Hotel, The Spa, by Scarborough photgrapher John W. Gray
Back of photographic postcard view by John W. Gray Scarborough Photographer

South Sands, Scarborough

Postcard

Photographic postcard of Lastingham, North York Moors by William Hayes for John Gray
Back of unused postcard published by John Gray of Scarborough
Signature of William Hayes on photographic postcard of the North York Moors

The Moors, Lastingham,

Postcard

Johnson's photographic equipment and materials catalogue, supplied by John W. Gray, Scarborough photographers

The Johnson Way to Better Photography,

Catalogue and Guide, supplied by John W. Gray Ltd, C.1954

Zonophonic Record of Mr Tom Foy, sold by John W Gray Scarborough Photographer 1911

Donkey and Me / The fool of the family by Mr Tom Foy (1866-1917), Zonophonic Record. 1911.

Sold by John W. Gray Scarborough.

Photographic Practice

  • Postcards

  • Portraiture ?

  • Music recording, sales and radios.

Studios

82 Westborough, Scarborough

References

Photo Memorabilia, Johnson’s of Hendon 2016