In pictures: Malta passed to us by John Critien

The name John Critien should be familiar to anyone inquisitive about antique imaging of the islands. But that’s about it. Almost nothing has been published about the person behind the name.

Portrait of John Critien

At the tail-end of the Victorian era, when postcard mania exploded, Critien counted among the earliest pioneers (at least since 1899) with a continued and robust presence.

But his vast and generally excellent production stands in inverse proportion to his public exposure as a leader in the field.

Critien (sometimes Chretien?), 13.12.1861-28.2.1940, made his name as a bookseller, stationer, printer, publisher and engraver. Was he a photographer too? Some of the postcards relating to the Sette Giugno 1919 commotion bear the Chretien imprint. When the colonial security services set about deleting any memory of the bloodied revolt, they confiscated all photographic material recording the popular uprising and criminalised the ownership, display or sale of any photographs of the events.

Postcard of Critien’s stationery in Strada Reale, Valletta.

Critien asked my father, his close friend, to hide the only two negatives of the armed British soldiery in action in Strada Reale. I only rediscovered the hidden historic glass plates some 70 years later.

Critien fathered five children by his wife Carmela Ellul, including Frank Edward “Daddu”, another friend of father. He ran his business from two outlets: the bookshop and stationery in 34, Strada Reale, Valletta and a printing press in the same street.

He had all his innumerable sets of postcards produced abroad, including his luxury small runs of cards embossed with gold leaf, framing photo appliqués, which only the wealthy could afford.

In the early years, he represented the prolific British publishers Gale & Polden Ltd and the Swiss Postkarten-Verlag Kunzli Zurich – PVKZ.

Postcards with the Critien imprint only ceased publication in the 1930s.

A postcard with a masonic handwritten message, front and back.

The coats of arms of all the grandmasters who ruled over Malta.

HMS Lancaster, part of a large set of postcards of British warships by Critien.

Luxury postcards by Critien, embossed, with gilding and photo appliqués.

A Critien card advertising his Gale & Polden agency.

Dockyard Creek from the early series by Critien.

Grand Harbour, another 1900s postcard by Critien.

One of the later Critien postcards showing traditional costumes.