Orkney Image Library

What does "T.S.S." stand for? I presume it is the photographer's initials, but if so I do not know of a professional photographer in Kirkwall with those initials at that time. These last five photos are fascinating. Are they all from the same album, and do you have any more?

T.s.swan is the photographers name. I've just sent in another 2 of ships in kirkwall bay. I got these photos from my dad many years ago. I'm glad it interests you paul. I'll have a look to see if I have more.

The Orkney Herald of 4th June 1884 reported that Mr T. S. Swan, a native of Kirkwall who had resided in Glasgow for 21 years and was about to pay a lengthy visit to Orkney on account of his wife's health, had been entertained to supper the previous week by the employees and firm of George Mason & Co, photographic dealers and chemists, and presented with a purse of 50 sovereigns as a token of their regard and their regret at his leaving the firm. You will search in vain for his birth under the name Swan, for he was born a Swanney. He set up business in Kirkwall but died on Christmas morning 1889 of phthisis pulmonalis, aged 46. The death was registered by his cousin James Sinclair, who evidently did not know the name of Swan's wife as that was left blank. I could find no trace of what became of her, but her name was Janet Hurry.