Henry Jasper Redfern

Henry Jasper Redfern, FSMC, BOA, (1871–1928), or Jasper Redfern was a British optician, photographer, exhibitor, filmmaker, proprietor of photographic and lantern retail business, cinema pioneer and x-ray and radiographic pioneer. The business card of Redfern stated: H. Jasper Redfern, Practical Optician and Scientist, 55 & 57 Surrey Street, Sheffield.
Life and times.
In 1871, Redfern was born at Sheffield, Yorkshire (West Riding), England. His parents were Walter Shepherd Redfern, age 31 (born at Sheffield, Yorkshire, England) and Sarah Rosebella Redfern, age 35 (born at Waddingham, Lincolnshire, England).
In 1881, he was a resident at 40 Nicholson Road in Heeley, Sheffield, Yorkshire (West Riding), England. Redfern had one sister, Amy Eliza Redfern, age 11 and one brother, John William Redfern, age 7.
In 1891, he lived with his parents and brother at 110 Pancras Square in St Pancras, London, England. His occupation was recorded as a photographer's apprentice.
In 1894, he resided at 22 Stratford place in the Borough of Saint Pancras, East division, London, England. Redfern lived in a room he rented, the "front room on top floor, unfurnished" with rent of 11 shillings per week, with partial board, and rent paid to Mrs. Redfern at the same address.
On 31 March 1901, Redfern resided at 28 Carter Knowle Road in Sheffield, Yorkshire (West Riding), England. His occupation was a qualified refractionist. Other persons listed in the household were his mother, sister and brother, a boarder, and a visitor.
In 1908, he married Charlotte Annie Baldwin at Burnley, Lancashire, England.
On 31 October 1928, Redfern died at Manchester, Lancashire, England.
Career.
Redfern began in cinema by filming local events, which were referred to as locals. He would stage short, often comic sequences. He presented the productions at screenings of these films in local halls. Later he owned cinema houses, including one at the seaside resort of Westcliff-on-Sea. The small company he controlled was not able to compete with the larger and professionally managed cinema companies, so market forces led to the decline in his business. Redfern operated a photographic studio, and sold cameras (and other optical goods including opera glasses). The cameras, instruments and articles he sold were inscribed with the name "Jasper Redfern". Redfern held the credentials FSMC, and BOA The designation FSMC was from the Fellowship in Optometry of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers. The designation BOA came from membership in the British Optical Association. These were recognised qualifications from the General Optical Council.
In 1895, he was owner and proprietor of H. Jasper Redfern. In 1898, Redfern as an optician in Sheffield also offered photographic supplies and basic to advanced instruction in photography. He demonstrated Röntgen rays, and held exhibitions of the Lumière Cinématographe. Redfern was an agent for Lumière's Cinématographe in England. At this time Redfern operated in Sheffield from showrooms located at 55–57 Surrey Street and operated the 'Works and Studios' located at 104–106 Norfolk Street. He developed and exploited the niche market of "locals," short film of interest to a limited local area. In 1899, Redfern took on the role of sports photographer and travelled with his local football team. He photographed several major matches including the match at Crystal Palace when Sheffield United played Derby on 15 April 1899 in the Football Cup Final. He chose the title for the series, '’Football Events'’. Redfern was keen with other sports and found time to film local cricket matches, bicycle races and lifeboat competitions.
Frank Mottershaw and Redfern made the first motion pictures filmed outdoors in Sheffield. In 1900, Mottershaw formed the Sheffield Photo Company. A studio was built at Hanover Street and it was here that the motion picture, "A Daring Daylight Burglary" was produced in 1903.
In 1900, Redfern travelled to Africa with stops in Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and created travelogues from his journeys. He decided to delve into the animated or moving picture business with his headliner, marqueed as 'World Renowned Animated Pictures and Refined Vaudeville Entertainments'. This routine performance was successful enough for him to own and operate a seaside summer show at Westcliffe, with the inviting name of 'Jasper Redfern's Palace by the Sea'. Redfern pursued the local film business until 1910, when he chose to focus his efforts on the optical and medical trades. Redfern produced and exhibited films up until 1915, before he decided to concentrate on research into x-rays and cancer treatment at Christie Hospital, Manchester. In 1928, Redfern died of cancer. His collection of motion picture memorabilia was donated to the Science Museum.
W. Watson and Son.
From 1885 to 1895, he worked at the firm of W. Watson and Sons as a photographer's apprentice. Redfern would go on to become an agent for the firm of W. Watson and Son.
Fred Holmes.
In 1894, Redfern teamed with Fred Holmes as manager. Holmes developed skills as photographer, animated picture operator and projectionist.
In September 1896, Redfern presented at the YMCA in Sheffield, a double-bill of film and x-ray demonstrations with a "Kineopticon", a projector he obtained from Birt Acres. The Kineopticon had recently been patented by Acres on 27 May 1895 and quickly became popular. Redfern was keen to capitalise of this new invention and took advantage of the public's interest and fascination with these new animated or moving pictures.
In 1898, Redfern secured an exclusive contract in England for the right to tour the groundbreaking, first feature film of the Corbett-Fitzsimmons boxing match of 1897. Redfern also secured or produced himself, films of local sporting events, and this proved to be a move towards making the headline feature as an event all by itself. He had the foresight to realise that a satisfied audience would return for future events and become loyal customers and customers that would return week after week. Redfern discovered a new market for the new medium of animated or motion pictures. He found new captive audiences and offered an afternoon's or evening's entertainment to church groups, clubs and societies. His approach helped to secure the public's acceptance for this new medium of film.
During the years 1899 to 1905, Holmes accompanied Redfern as he travelled throughout England. Redfern promoted and produced vaudeville and animated show. For two years during the summer tourist season, Redfern operated the 'Palace by the Sea' at Southend-on-Sea. At this location, he took still photographs and animated movies. When Redfern set up the first motion picture house in Sheffield, Holmes became the manager and general manager for Redfern's various endeavours in England. In 1912, Redfern closed the business and Redfern and Holmes no longer worked as a team. Holmes continued to manage the Central Hall in Sheffield.
Redfern returned to his earlier endeavours and experience with the utilisation of x-rays and x-ray photography.
H. Jasper Redfern et al..
In 1900, the firm of H. Jasper Redfern was located at 104 – 106 Norfolk Street in Sheffield. From 1901 to 1902, the firm of Jasper Redfern & Co. Ltd. had a location at 1 Orchard Street in Sheffield. From 1901 to 1907, the firm of Jasper Redfern & Co. Ltd. had a location at 53 – 57 Surrey Street in Sheffield. From 1901 to 1907, the firm of Jasper Redfern & Co. Ltd. had a location at 184 – 186 Norfolk Street in Sheffield. From 1905 to 1907, the firm of Jasper Redfern & Co. Ltd. had a location at Central Hall in Sheffield. About 1909, Redfern was issued a licence, good until 1913, in compliance with the Cinematograph Act of 1909.
Jasper Redfern, Limited.
On 18 September 1903, the following was published in "The Photographic News":
<poem>"Jasper Redfern, Limited. – This company has just been registered with a capital of £5,000 in £1 shares, to adopt an agreement between H. J. Redfern and N. H. Deakin, to acquire the business carried on at 53, 55, and 57, Surrey Street, and 104 and 106, Norfolk Street, Sheffield, as "H. Jasper Redfern," and to carry on the business of opticians, refractionists, optical, photographic, and scientific instrument manufacturers and dealers, photographers, experts in animated photography and Röntgen rays, electricians, stationers, dealers in fancy goods, &c. The number of directors is not to be less than two or more than five; the first are H. J. Redfern and R. Hanbidge. Qualification £100. Remuneration as fixed by the company. Registered by Waterlow & Sons, Ltd., London Wall, E.C."</poem>
On 3 October 1904, the business of Jasper Redfern, Limited was closed on account of its liabilities. Mr. Norris Henry Deakin, Chartered Accountant, was appointed as Liquidator.
Jasper Redfern and Co., Limited.
On 10 March 1905, the following was published in the "British Journal of Photography":
<poem>"Registered February 24. Capital, £3,000 in £1 shares. Object, to acquire the business recently carried on at 55 to 57, Surrey Street, 104 and 106, Norfolk Street, both in Sheffield and elsewhere, as Jasper Redfern, Limited, to adopt an agreement between H. Jasper Redfern and G. W. Lloyd of the one part and E. Brook of the other part, and to carry on the business of opticians, refractionists, manufacturers of optical, photographic, and scientific instruments, photographers, experts in animated photography and Röntgen rays, electricians, public entertainers, etc. No initial public issue. The first directors (to number not less than two or more than five) are Jasper Redfern, G. W. Lloyd, and G. Mettham. Qualification, £1."</poem>
2nd Western General Hospital.
During World War I, Redfern was called to serve as a field radiologist, and eventually was assigned to the 2nd Western General Hospital, which later became known as the Grangethorpe Hospital in Manchester. Sergeant Jasper Redfern was assigned to the clinical staff of the 2nd Western General Hospital. In 1914, he enlisted in the RAMC with the much needed skill as radiographer, particularly during wartime. The small x-ray department at the hospital was called upon to use the new technology of x-rays for diagnostic and therapeutic studies. Redfern, a pioneer in the field of x-rays and radiology, accepted the call to serve his fellow wounded soldiers. He became a martyr by performing radiographs and paid the price by losing all of his fingers from the radiation exposure. In 1928, Redfern died of cancer, probably due to his heroic efforts and prolonged exposure to radiation from x-rays.