Richard, Hannah, and four of their eventual five children
arrived in Victoria in 1862 on the Sierra Nevada. Many sources claim that
the Maynard Gallery was the first in the city; even an 1869 special edition
of the Daily Colonist reports this . However, it is unclear if there are other
galleries or just other photographers. The San Francisco Pacific Coast Business
Directory lists
three photographers in 1867, with no listing of Maynard. Moreover, the
Second Issue of the First Victoria Directory and BC Guide of 1868, published
by E. Mallandaine, while listing Maynard, also lists and advertises four others.
Nevertheless, they are at the very least one of the first galleries and portrait
studios in the region and were the longest lasting.
The photographic business was left primarily to Hannah for the
first phase of their endeavour. Sources indicate that while Richard was away
prospecting for gold, the first location was established on Johnson Street in
1862 and focused primarily on the portrait work.
Their business relied on the flow of, according to Hannah,
gold miners, but later the sailors and tourists supported the store as well.
When capital was flowing in Victoria the Maynard's did well apparently, and
when business was slow they traveled taking photographs as they did so. (Chronology)
