Marshall Wane, 1833-1903

[From Isle of Man Times, Saturday, January 09, 1904]

DEATH OF AN OLD DOUGLAS PHOTOGRAPHER.

THE LATE MR MARSHALL WANE.

Mr Marshall Wane, the well-known photographer. passed away suddenly, but very peacefully in his sleep, at his residence 7, HoIborn terrace. Glasgow, on Monday. 14th December. He was in good health almost to the day of his death, which was most unexpected.

Mr Wane was born in 1833 and thus was 70 years of age-He was devoted to his profession , and first began to photograph in 1852 as an amateur, when he was 19 years of age. Self-taught from the beginning. and always very ingenious, he made his first camera out of a cigar-box. and a lens out of a mustard tin and a magnifying glass. As is usually done by amateurs, he experimented on his friends in the garden, with a blanket as background; when it rained an umbrella was put up. The only time the young amateur had was during his lunch hour, and he was often so engrossed in his work that he had to run all the way to the office two miles away. These early attempts were glass positives, only a few inches in size. Rapidly becoming proficient, there was such a demand from friends for portraits made by the new art that all his spare cash was spent in photographic material; so a small charge was made to cover expenses. The money thus made was put into a child's earthenware money box which had to be broken when filled. Full in a very short time, it was found to contain sufficient to purchase an up-to-date outfit from London This was done, and, with superior appliances his work so much improved, and was so much admired, that he decided to start business as a professional. Accordingly he began in 1854 at Knutsford, and successful from the start, was enabled to open a studio in Douglas, Isle of Man, in 1858, where he remained 25 years.

Married in 1861, Mr and Mrs Wane's married life has been an ideal one. Up to a year ago. Mrs Wane has always been associated with Mr Wane in the business, and was nearly as well known to their clients as he was-in every sense of the word she has been his "'partner'' through life , and her woman's wit and good advice have proved invaluable on many occasions .

In 1879 Mr Wane was induced by the late Lord Loch, who was the Governor of the Island, and several influential friends, to go to Edinburgh, where he remained until 1902, when he received an offer for his business by a company, which he accepted.

In the following year he opened a studio at 518, Great Western-road, Glasgow, with a view to leaving it to his two sons, after giving them the benefit of his well-known name, also his invaluable advice and experience. He had just accomplished his last wish, "To give his boys a fair start." when he was called away. The business will be carried on under the name of "Marshall Wane" by his two sons. Mr H. P. Wane, a medallist and technical expert, and Charles Marshall Wane.

Mr Wane, fond of all outdoor sports, was a good swimmer and a capital shot and could cycle his 50 miles a day easily; he was the oldest cyclist in Scotland, hiving been one for nearly 40 years. He could play a good game of billiards, and was fond of a game of whist. He was very fond of reading- Mr Wane was known by a large circle of friends, and to quote one of them-"To know him was to love and esteem him."-"British Journal of Photography."