The Lidbetter Photographic collection consists of 167 glass negatives that are 17 x 22 cm in size, 10 that are 12 x 16 cm, and 9 that are 8 x 10.5 cm. In addition there are 80 plus non-glass negatives of various sizes, all dated from 1925 onwards. The dated negatives, including the glass negatives, range from 1899 – 1944, covering almost half a century of Cradock life and history, and provide a fascinating glimpse into the life and times of a thriving country community. In March 1986 Prof. Guy Butler, famous son of Cradock, facilitated the donation of a collection of glass negatives to the Cory Library. He encouraged Mrs. Kathleen Mitchley, formerly of “Braemar”, Cradock, to donate the collection which she had obtained from a Mr. W. Brown in 1949, when he bought the photographic business of William Walpole Lidbetter.