C 1870 Album of 18 Professional Photographs of Various Architectural Monuments and Sights in England (with) a Few Additonal Views and Photos
(English Photography)
England: The eighteen English views include photographs of an ancient town Portal, Ely Cathedral from the Portal 548 GWW; Ely (another exterior view); Peterborough (2 exteriors) Peterborough (2 interiors, very atmospheric); Lincoln Cathedral, interior & exterior views 3 3/4" x 4 1/2"; York Minster 1588 J.V. (exterior); York Minster A 2365 J.V. (exterior); York (interior); Durham Cathedral 1859 J.V. exterior view from across the water; Durham Cathedral interior; Chester Cathedral, taken from within the cemetery grounds; Windsor Castle from the Home Park 3382 J.V.; Burns' Cottage Ayr; Stirling Castle from the Beach Walk 1637 G.W.W.; Auld...Ayr (Bridge) G.W.W.; and one other larger-format exterior Cathedral view (7" x 9 1/2"); George Washington Wilson (G.W.W.) (1823-1893) was born in Scotland, and was one of the early royal photographers. In 1849 he set up business as a portrait miniaturist; a brave feat at a time when photography was becoming an ever-increasing challenge offering cheaper pictures and becoming fashionable. After a while he began a short partnership with John Hay, setting up a portrait studio. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were keen on photography, and commissioned the partners to document the building of Balmoral, their new highland home, from 1853 onwards. Thus began a long association with the Royal Family, and in 1868 Wilson illustrated one of the Queen's "Leaves from the Journal or our Life in the Highlands." In 1873 he was awarded a royal warrant. His fame spread widely, and in 1864 claimed to have sold over half a million prints. He was the photographer whose photographs were first sold in Cabinet size. In 1876 Wilson built new premises, perhaps the first to mass-produce photographs. This large firm rivalled that of Frith over the border. He also produced a number of Stereoscopic pictures, notable for the fact that the exposures were very short - less than one second. By the 1880s his was one of the largest photographic publishers in the world. He employed over thirty assistants in his Aberdeen firm, and was particularly keen to ensure that his prints were carefully washed and gold-toned, so as to remove all residual chemicals. As a result, Wilson's albumen prints were more stable than others made in the same era." (Robert Leggat, 1999); James Valentine (1815-1879) was a well-known photographer of Dundee, Scotland. Valentines of Dundee produced Scottish topographical views from the 1860s, and later became internationally famous as the producers of picture postcards. Valentine was a founder of the Edinburgh Photographic Society and photographer by appointment to the Queen; (with) a few miscellaneous, later photographs in the album: Interlaken & Jungfrau Edit Photogrlab; a couple of photographs of Rafael's works, Correggio, and the Transfiguration; all photographs mounted on original album cardstock leaves; all contained in the original pebbled-cloth covered boards album, leather corners and spine; wear to covers; spine cover letter gone, binding tight; very good condition. Very Good (Item ID: 17870)
$250.00
