Beken started their photography in 1888 when Alfred Edward Beken (1855–1915) came to Cowes & opened a pharmacy. It was his son Frank (1880–1970) who was so impressed by the Classic yachts sailing off Cowes that he started the Beken Marine Photography Archive. In 1914, the ‘West’ collection of glass plates dating back to 1880 was purchased to add to his growing collection of negatives. By the 1930s, Frank’s son Keith (1914–2007) was busy photographing afloat and in 1970 Keith’s son Kenneth (B.1951) joined the Company. Each generation has earned the title “Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society” and the Company has held three Royal Warrants for excellence. More recently in 2001 staff colleague Peter Mumford became actively employed photographing afloat adding to the modern digital color library. Up to 1970, the photographs were signed Beken & Son by hand in white ink. From 1970 when color photography came to the fore until the darkrooms closed in 2008, all photographs were signed Beken of Cowes again by hand with white ink.
Vintage 20th Century Large English Sloop Pond Yacht c.1940
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A fantastic vintage 20th Century sloop pond yacht, featuring original canvas sails. The yacht is an example of British pond racing yacht and would have raced against similar yachts i...
Fabric, Wood
Vintage 20th Century English Carved Hull Pond Yacht c.1930
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A fantastic antique gaff rigged cutter pond yacht, lovely carved hull dating to the first half of the 20th century. The yacht is an example of British pond racing yacht and would hav...
Wood
Vintage 20th Century Wall Hanging Copper Sculpture Of A Racing Yacht c.1960
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A 20th Century handmade racing yacht, crafted in copper and designed for wall mounting. A wonderful decor piece for any interior, both modern or classic. CONDITION In Great Conditi...
Copper
Vintage 20th Century English Carved Hull Pond Yacht c.1930
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A fantastic antique gaff rigged cutter pond yacht, lovely carved hull dating to the first half of the 20th century. The yacht is an example of British pond racing yacht and would hav...
Fabric, Wood
20thC Maritime Club House Cased Planked & Framed Ship Model By A. Kausen c.1934
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
An exceptional early 20th century Maritime Club House model of an unriggered four-masted vessel, finely planked and framed and displayed within its original glazed mahogany case. The...
Wood
Vintage 20th Century English Carved Hull Pond Yacht c.1930
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A fantastic antique gaff rigged cutter pond yacht, lovely carved wood hull dating to the first half of the 20th century. The yacht is an example of British pond racing yacht and woul...
Wood
Yacht Alpha, Early Silver Photographic Print by Beken of Cowes
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Yacht Alpha, early silver photographic print by Beken of Cowes.
Paper
Framed Sailing Photograph Of A J Class Yacht
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Vintage Style Photography, Framed Sailing Photograph, J Class. 'J-CLASS' a modern framed and mounted black and white photograph after an original 1930's photograph. The frame is blac...
Paper
Yacht Leander, Early Silver Photographic Print by Beken of Cowes
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Yacht Leander, early silver photographic print by Beken of Cowes.
Paper
Early Silver Gelatin Photographic Print by Beken of Cowes Yacht Polaris
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Early silver gelatin photographic print by Beken of Cowes Yacht Polaris.
Pair of Original Prints of the Dutch Sailing Yacht Verona Signed Kirk Cowes
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Original prints of the Dutch sailing yacht Verona sailing on port tack in the Solent. An interesting point in this image is that she has a loose footed ...
Paper
Yacht Winifred, Yawl, Early Silver Photographic Print by Beken of Cowes
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Yacht Winifred, Yawl, early silver photographic print by Beken of Cowes.
Paper
