Richard Chamberlain Collection
The Richard Chamberlain collection contains around 300 black and white photographs, out of which around 160 were presented through the pages of the publication “Cyprus scenes and way of life 1954”. The collection is mainly focused in and around the town of Famagusta where the photographer was stationed as a soldier of the British army in 1954, but also features other areas of the island he visited during his military service. Unlike other photographers of the time, Richard Chamberlain did not stage or set the scenes he would photograph and did not focus on his military service. Instead, he turned his camera towards candid and casual moments happening around him, resulting in a unique and genuine testament of life in Cyprus in 1954.
Richard Chamberlain was born in England on 30 January 1935. At the age of 16, he got interested in photography after his older brother Michael made him a little camera out of a Colman’s mustard tin, which he used to take pictures of classmates in school. He first arrived in Cyprus as a British soldier at Nicosia airport on 28 May 1954, just a week before the military parade for Queen Elizabeth’s birthday in Famagusta which he photographed and is a significant part of his collection. As a Special Wireless Operator for the Royal Signals Regiment, he was stationed at “4 Miles Point” in Famagusta and that is why his collection is primarily focused on the town and its people. After returning to England he visited Cyprus about 15 times before finally deciding to move to the island. He now lives in Kyrenia.
In 2010, Richard Chamberlain published most of his 1954 images in his book “Cyprus Scenes and Way of Life in 1954/55” and in a second publication “Cyprus Scenes and Way of Life in 1954/55 and Sixty Years Later in 2014” revisiting most of the sites where he took his photos in 1954.
In 2021, he donated his photographic collection to the Centre of Visual Arts and Research in Nicosia, to be studied and published as a testament to life in Cyprus in 1954. The images that comprise the online collection were reproduced from the original black and white negatives. The titles were taken from inscriptions to the photographs given by the photographer in his publication. Where no inscriptions were available the titles were generated by the cataloguer describing the depicted subject. CVAR holds digital reproductions of the originals and shares copyrights with Richard Chamberlain.
This is another view from St Georges Hotel with a soldier sun bathing in the front. I believe these palm trees are still there
1954
It was a beautiful beach with a clear warm sea
1954
Many people used to come to Famagusta beach in their leisure time
1954
The small houses and small hotels can be seen. It must have been paradise to live here
1954
The picture was taken early in the morning before the crowds came down to the beach
1954
Famagusta beach in the evening light with what used to be the Constantia Hotel now called the Palm Beach Hotel
1954
The scene has hardly changed over the last 50 years. The Hotel has got slightly larger
1954
The Cypriot policeman talks things over with the beach stall holder, while the children enjoy the sea
1954
This beach was just outside Famagusta beach and was known as "Golden Sands". The British soldiers from Egypt spent their army leave here
1954
The British soldiers spent most of their time off here. My brother Mike and I applied and were chosen as "Life Guards" for a week on the beach. The only problem was, I couldn't swim!
1954
Famagusta Port bordering the Old City Wall and the various activities that went on there
1954
The entrance to Famagusta Port, showing the lighthouse on the Old City Wall
1954
The massive Old City Wall dividing Famagusta Docks and the Old City showing the two main places of worship
1954
Famagusta Docks were very busy in 1954/1955 with ships coming from all over the world
1954
Famagusta Harbour was the deepest in Cyprus so enabling large boats to dock
1954
A large sailing boat at anchor waiting to dock when the modern boats leave
1954
Kongsbru from Stavanger, Norway tied up unloading her cargo and then taking out Cyprus products
1954
A row of five old fishing boats tied up at anchor in Famagusta Harbour
1954
A modern (1954) warship tied up taking on rations for her next trip
1954
Two young men fish off the quay between the boats and discuss their catch
1954
The policeman watches the young man try and catch his lunch. Everything was so nice and casual in those days
1954
The fisherman mends his nets ready for his next fishing trip to sea
1954
Fisherman with his catch
1954
The boatyard in the Famagusta Port for making and repairing boats
1954