Item 20 - Stereoview of the Clifton Suspension Bridge under construction taken from the Clifton side with figures in the foreground

In the 1851 census, West described himself as a ‘Portrait Painter’, as a ‘Photographer’ in the 1861 census and as an ‘Artist Photographer’ in 1871 census. Upon his father's death in 1860, he appears to have taken over the running of the Observatory as well as the photographic business. On the occasion of the opening of the Bridge on 8 December 1864, he advertised "strong seats" which had been erected on "the lower roof of the observatory", selling for 5s each.