Sub-sub fonds 2 - Sorby Photography Collection

Identity area

Reference code

CZ-PHOT-2

Title

Sorby Photography Collection

Date(s)

Level of description

Sub-sub fonds

Extent and medium

1,165 BW photos; 5 colour photos

Context area

Name of creator

The North of England Zoological Society (NEZS)

Repository

Chester Zoo

Archival history

Immediate source of acquisition or transfer

Content and structure area

Scope and content

Appraisal, destruction and scheduling

Accruals

System of arrangement

Conditions of access and use area

Conditions governing access

Conditions governing reproduction

Language of material

Script of material

Language and script notes

Physical characteristics and technical requirements

Finding aids

Allied materials area

Existence and location of originals

Existence and location of copies

Related units of description

Related descriptions

Notes area

Note

Photographs within this collection were taken by Mr Eric Sorby and Mrs Dorothy Millicent Sorby, who were both Friends of Chester Zoo. D.M. Sorby is credited as the photographer on the back of many photographs in the collection. E. Sorby is credited as the photographer on a couple of other photographs. Some photographs have a handwritten note on the back stating 'Mr and Mrs Sorby' or a stamp on the back stating 'D & E Sorby' without specifying which of the couple took the photograph.

Dorothy Sorby nee Keen (1903-1983) taught at Birkenhead Girls School and was a talented artist and set designer who painted decorative murals in Chester Zoo's Ape House as well as taking numerous photographs at the zoo, principally of the animals.

Eric Sorby (1902-1983) was born in Yorkshire, graduated from Trinity College, Oxford, with an Honours Degree in Mathematics in 1924, and obtained a Diploma in Education in 1925. He joined Birkenhead Institute as a mathematics teacher in September 1925 and worked there until his retirement in 1962. Although his job title on retirement was Senior Mathematics Master, he also taught bookkeeping and woodwork and was known to be a keen photographer. He was a member of the Council of NEZS from 1969-1975.

The couple married at Barrow-in-Furness in 1938 and lived in Thingwall, Wirral.

Sources: Chester Zoo News and Guide, June 1969, June 1971, June 1974, May 1975; Daniel Jones, 'Memories of an Old Boy' in 'Advisor', a Birkenhead Institute Old Boys (B.I.O.B.) newsletter, 2006.

Part of the Sorby Photography Collection was donated by the photographers' relatives, the Cockerton family. A capital C has been pencilled on the back of the donated photographs.