Grey, Alfred, 1904 - 1999
Dates
- Existence: c1904 - 1999
Biography
Alfred ‘Joe’ Grey (c1904-1999) built a comic yet realistic photographic stage set featuring a make-believe bar in an old fashioned pub in his unique open-fronted shop on Strand Street, Douglas, Isle of Man. He called it Joe’s Bar and ran it with his wife Hetty and photographer son Howard between 1950 and 1971. The novelty seaside photographic set only opened during the summer months, when countless groups of holiday-makers had their photographs taken while wearing novelty hats, pretending to drink out of oversized bottles of Whisky or Guinness and appearing totally drunk.
Alf Grey served people on holiday who wanted to return home with a souvenir photograph of themselves, their friends and their family having a good time.
Alf had a lifetime’s experience in professional studio portraiture and he only used the very best cameras, lighting and film processing techniques. His creation, Joe’s Bar, was in no way a ‘Snap and Run’ establishment but it became one of the island’s main holiday attractions.
Alfred and his son Howard have also authored a book on the Isle of Man famous TT motorcycle races.
Found in 14 Collections and/or Records:
Alfred Grey Collection
This collection contains black and white photographs and negatives of photographs taken by Alfred Grey at Joe’s bar novelty portrait studio and a small amount of related ephemera.
Alfred Grey's Business Records, 1961
Small amount of loose pages of daily accounts, invoices and order scribbled on envelope.
Business Records, 1961
Small amount of Alfred Grey's business records.
Correspondence, 20 December 1994
Letter from Geoff Harrison to Howard Grey.
Joe's Bar Sign, 1971
Joe's Bar wooden sign. Black type on off white paint with graffiti.
Letter from Geoff Harrison to Howard, 20 December 1994
Notification of sending photographic prints letter from Geoff Harrison to Howard Grey.
Lloyds Bank Money Wallets, c1960 - 1979
Lloyds Bank £5 bank envelopes. Black type on brown paper.
Pencils, c1960 - 1969
Two pencils advertising Joe’s Bar, Isle of Man. Red and black type on white.
Photograph Wallets, c1960 - 1969
Photograph wallets. Red type on white folded card with four slots to hold the photograph in place on the inside of the wallet.
Photographs and Negatives, c1950 - 1969
Black and white photographs and negatives taken by Alfred Grey at Joe's Bar.
Photographs at Joe's Bar Studio, c1950 - 1969
Black and white photographs and negatives taken by Alfred Grey at Joe's Bar novelty studio in the Isle of Man.
Tickets for the Collection of Photographs, c1960 - 1969
Tickets for collection of photographs from Joe’s Bar novelty portrait studio Black type on single colour card in three colours; light green, blue and purple.
Trade and Advertising Material, c1960 - 1969
Various items realted to Alfred Grey's business incluing photograph wallets, collection tickets and branded pencils.
Various Items, c1960 - 1979
Various items including bank money wallets and a sign for Joe's Bar.