Levi Stephenson by Henry Clark c1870.

An original, carte de visite (CdV), studio portrait. An important character from Victorian Cleethorpes. Levi Stephenson had an oyster stall by the entrance to Cleethorpes Railway Station. As well as oysters he sold tea, coffee, ginger beer and toys. He also offered sea trips in his boat ‘The Cambridge Lass’. Levi was born c1815 and died in 1888, aged 71 (or 72). In 1881, aged 65, he lived with his wife and grandson in Wardle Street. His job is given as ‘coxswain of life boat’. A popular guy with a big nose, Levi Stephenson is said to be the fisherman depicted on the Cleethorpes Borough Arms along with the Viking on the opposite side. According to the National Archives, an old photo of Levi Stephenson was used to create a picture postcard series. This was done in 1905. They must’ve used this photo or another c1870 print of the same photo. An example of a c1905 postcard is on this website. The above photo is, therefore, around 31 to 35+ years older than postcards of Levi Stephenson. The photographer, Henry Clark (1815-1874), son of Saul and Ann Clark, was born in Friskney (or Thorpe St Peter), Lincolnshire. He became a Bazaar keeper in Wragby by 1861 and a Bazaar Keeper in Cleethorpes by 1869. He also became a photographer before he died on a trip to Skegness and Alford in September 1874. There’s a record of him taking a photo in Cleethorpes in 1869. After the death of Henry, his son Alfred Vurney Clark (1848 Lincoln – 1911 Brigg) became a photographer in both Cleethorpes and Brigg. Examples of his excellent work can be seen on this website. Henry was assisted by a brother at some point and they traded as Clark Bros. of Cleethorpes and Brigg. Research by Grimsby & Cleethorpes Museum.