Stickybacks in Belgium

Spiridione Grossi, the originator of the Stickyback, told a UK court in May 1913 that he had a business in Brussels. Given his UK interests it would be reasonable to assume that this may have been a stickyback studio - as yet details unknown.

In one of his French patents, Spiridione jointly applied with Belgian national, Alfred Lachmann, who may, or may not have been part of Spiridione's business in Belgium. Alfred Lachmann applied in 1913 for patents in France FR455610A for a window mount for a small photograph on the face of a postcard and in 1912 FR448540A for an electric shutter release for an automatic camera. Grossi appears to have applied in Britain for the same patent in 1913 GB191221533A.

Stickybacks had another purpose in Belgium. The Strabane Chronicle, Saturday 13 September 1913 p5, carried an article "Under three flags" in which an irishman described his travels in Belgium, France and Holland. He said, "I went to the offices of the Belgium State Railway in Regent Street. There I asked for an abonnement for five days. An Abonnement is a season ticket by which you can travel all over Belgium when and where one likes. This costs only 9s 5d with a deposit of 4s, which is refunded on delivery up of the ticket. A small "sticky-back" photo is necessary and is pasted on the ticket to ensure the validity of the possessor".

Below are some found examples from Belgium. We would welcome input from any Belgium photo historians on Belgium stickybacks, particularly relating to Spiridione Grossi's alleged business activities there.

Address: Rue Neuve 50, Bruxelles
Possible Practitioner: not currently known
Operating dates: 1910-20?
References: See example below of two imagers in strip of man in military uniform Width 1.1 inches, height (of the pair) 2.9 inches. Below this are four further examples of stickybacks from this studio, reproduced with the kind permission of Irma Benedetto.

Address: 65 Rue Cathedrale, Liege Belgium
Possible Practitioner: not currently known
Operating dates:
References: See below single image of a gentleman with massive curled moustache and bowler hat. Measures 1.1 x 1.6 inches. Below this are a further eight examples of similar size from this studio reproduced with the kind permission of Irma Benedetto

Address: not currently known
Possible Practitioner: Photo Belge
Operating dates: 1910-20?
References: See surviving strip below, five sign boards and four images suggest that the strip originally exceeded four images.

Address: Liege in Belgium: R. Lulay 14
Possible Practitioner: not currently known
Operating dates: 1910-20?
References: See below stickyback of young girl in some sort of traditional coin decorated headress. We are most grateful to Irma Benedetto for permission to use this image from her collection.

Address:Menin/Menen, Belgium (rue Royale 8),
Possible Practitioner: not currently known
Operating dates: 1910-20?
References: We are most grateful to Irma Benedetto for permission to use this image from her collection.

• Stickybacks outside the United Kingdom
• Stickybacks in Hungary
• Stickybacks in The Netherlands
• Stickybacks in France
• Stickybacks in Belgium
• Stickybacks in Germany
• Stickybacks in Italy
• Stickybacks in Tasmania / Australia

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