Lennie Opticians – Photographic Retailers 1853 – 1959

Lennie, John
Edinburgh
active 1860s

James Lennie (1817 – 1854) founded a jewellers and optician business on South Bridge, Edinburgh in 1835. The business moved to Leith Street in the mid 1840s and then to 46 Princes Street in 1857, by which time it was being run by James’ widow Eliza and probably her sons, William, Joseph, James and John. The business was the main outlet in Edinburgh for all things related to photography.

Lennie was principally a retailer, selling views by GW Wilson, Moffat and many others and the Lennie blindstamp is quite common on stereoviews.

However, one of the Lennies did also produce a few stereoviews, which include a label stating photographed by Lennie (see image below). The family interest in photography is highlighted by the election of Joseph as President of the Edinburgh Photographic Society in 1900.

Abbotsford, Walter Scott’s Study, Lennie, c.1865