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.Gifford, Denis. Stephen Herbert and Luke McKernan, editors. (1996). Henry Jasper Redfern. Who's Who of Victorian Cinema: A Worldwide Survey. London: British Film Institute.Toulmin, V., & Walsh, P. (2012). Jasper Redfern. The Fred Holmes Collection.Taylor & Francis, Ltd.
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).England and Wales Birth Registration Index, 1837–2008. Database. FamilySearch. Henry Jasper Redfern, 1871. England & Wales Births, 1837–2006. Database. Citing Birth Registration. Ecclesall Bierlow, Yorkshire, England. Citing General Register Office. Southport, 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.England and Wales Census, 1881. Database with images. FamilySearch. Henry Jasper Redfern in household of Walter Shepherd Redfern, Heeley, Yorkshire, Yorkshire West Riding, England. 1881 England, Scotland and Wales census. Database and images. Citing p. 21. Piece/Folio 4640/62. The National Archives. Kew, Surrey. FHL microfilm 101,775,302. 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.England and Wales Census, 1891. Database with images. FamilySearch. Henry J Redfern in household of Walter S Redfern. St Pancras, London, England. 1891 England, Scotland and Wales census. Database and images. Citing PRO RG 12. London county, subdistrict. The National Archives of the UK. Kew, Surrey. 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.England, London Electoral Registers, 1847–1913. Database with images. FamilySearch. Henry Jasper Redfern, 1894. 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.England and Wales Census, 1901. Database. FamilySearch. Henry J Redfern in household of Sarah R Redfern. Ecclesall Bierlow, Yorkshire (West Riding), England. 1901 England, Scotland and Wales census. Database and images. Citing Ecclesall Bierlow subdistrict. PRO RG 13. The National Archives. Kew, Surrey. In 1908, he married Charlotte Annie Baldwin at Burnley, Lancashire, England.England and Wales Marriage Registration Index, 1837–2005. Database. FamilySearch. Henry Jasper Redfern, 1908. England & Wales Marriages, 1837–2005. Database. Citing Marriage. Burnley, Lancashire, England. General Register Office. Southport, England. On 31 October 1928, Redfern died at Manchester, Lancashire, England.Sheffield Libraries Archives and Information. Sheffield Local Studies Library. Sheffield Telegraph Obituaries 1850 – c. 1970. Surnames P – T. page 24.
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.Editor. (1905). Sheffield Photographers. White's Directory of Sheffield & Rotherham. Trade Directory. Sheffield Indexers. London.Editor. (2016). GOC Recognised Qualifications. General Optical Council. 10 Old Bailey, London. 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.Mellor, G. J. (1971). Picture Pioneers: The Story of the Northern Cinema. 1896–1971. Graham Books.Abel, Richard. (2005). Encyclopedia of early cinema. Taylor & Francis.
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.Addy, S. O. (1905). Sheffield at the Opening of the 20th Century: Contemporary Biographies. Local Studies Library. Sheffield Library. Sheffield, England 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.Blatchford, Ian. (2016). H. Jasper Redfern. Science and Society. Science Museum Group. London. 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.Gifford, Denis. Stephen Herbert and Luke McKernan, editors. (1996). Brit Acres. Who's Who of Victorian Cinema: A Worldwide Survey. London: British Film Institute.Dickson, William Kennedy Laurie., & Dickson, Antonia. (1899). History of the Kinetograph, Kinetoscope, and Kinetophonograph. (New York: Albert Bunn, 1895). 8(14): 170–80.Dickson, W. L. (1933). A Brief History of the Kinetograph, the Kinetoscope and the Kineto-Phonograph. Journal of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers. 21(6): 435–455.Dickson, W.K.L. and Dickson, Antonia. (1895, 1970). History of the Kinetograph, Kinetoscope and Kinetophonograph. Arno Press. New York.
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.Walsh, Peter. (2012). Jasper Redfern's No. 1 Vaudeville Company: Regional exhibition practice in transition. Early Popular Visual Culture. 10(3): 273–298.
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.Pawson and Brailsford. (1900). Sheffield Photographers. Sheffield City Directory. Trade Directory. Sheffield, England. 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.Editor. (1901). Sheffield Photographers. White's Directory of Sheffield & Rotherham. Trade Directory. Sheffield Indexers. London.Editor. (1902). Sheffield Photographers. White's Directory of Sheffield & Rotherham. Trade Directory. Sheffield Indexers. London.Editor. (1907). Sheffield Photographers. White's Directory of Sheffield & Rotherham. Trade Directory. Sheffield Indexers. London. 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 1909.
Jasper Redfern, Limited On 18 September 1903, the following was published in The Photographic News: