PHOTOGRAPHER

4pp., 4to. In good condition, lightly-aged and worn. Long closely-written letter, friendly and informative. Topics include the breaking of his right arm, the weather in Johannesburg ('I do not take my landscapes in winter - but our Transvaal summer is my time to operate with the camera to record the trees - the clouds & all the mood that goes with it'), Adams's support for 'the London Salon panel of prints'.

1p., 4to. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper. Ornate letterhead printed in red and black, with engraving of a rising sun ('The Mark of Excellence'). Addressed to 'Messrs. Marcus Adams Ltd. | Child Photographers, | 43, Dover Street, | W.1.' The letter begins: 'I have in hand the production of a film somewhat of a national character, including all the episodes in the reigns of our Royal Family, from Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee onwards, and I thought it would be a very nice idea to finish the film with a short length of little Princess Elizabeth.

4pp., 8vo, paginated 1-4. On two bifoliums. Aged and worn, but with the text clear and complete. From the Adams family papers, which also include an extensive archive of Walton Adams's papers relating to the British Israelites. An interesting artefact relating to an important figure in the history of British photography. (See also his obituary in The Times, 15 June 1934.) Untitled and unsigned, the unpublished account begins: 'As I am now over 90 years of age I believe that I am the oldest living British photographer, my first Studio was opened in 1864'.

The collection consists of 21 typewritten articles, with some drafts of the same; two folders of miscellaneous typed and autograph texts, a cloth map, a folding card model of 'The Pyramid' and a diagram of the 'City & Temple to scale'. BACKGROUND: Walton Adams, the founder of a family of notable British photographers and artists, including his son Marcus (1875-1959) and grandson Gilbert (1906-1996), was at his death 'believed to be the oldest professional photographer in the country' and 'the first photographer to use dry plates' (see his obituary, Times, 15 June 1934).

A black and white print, 24 x 19 cm. In good condition, lightly aged and worn. Shows Loder in top hat and nineteenth-century frock coat, with cane. Inscribed: 'To Mrs. Wright | With sincere good wishes | from | John Loder.' In pencil on reverse: 'Capt. William | Java Head | J. K. 67 | For Mrs Wright | Stills'. Stamped on reverse: 'CYRIL LEESTON | LONDON | TELEPHONE 3884 PADDINGTON'. This image is not in the National Portrait Gallery collection, nor is any other by Leeston.

The two prints are in good condition, with light signs of age and wear. The 'Sing As We Go' (1934) photograph is 24 x 19.5 cm. In pencil on the reverse: 'Gracie Fields | S.G.P 4 | "Sing as we go" 1935 [sic] A.T.P. Studios' and is stamped 'CYRIL LEESTON | LONDON | TELEPHONE 3884 PADDINGTON'. It is a head and shoulders shot of Fields, leaning slightly forwards as she looks straight into the camera, smiling. The 'Look Up And Laugh' (1935) photograph is 25.5 x 19.5 cm. It has in pencil on reverse: 'LL | P.24 | Gracie Fields in "Look up & Laugh" | A.T.P. Studios 1935'.

The collection of 26 items is in fair condition, aged and lightly worn. The 24 black and white photographic prints, of which there are 23 different images and one image duplicated in a smaller size, range in size from 29 x 24.5 cm to 8.5 x 11.5 cm. The pictures are tender and affectionate, in an informal style unusual for Baron. One picture, stamped 'UNRETOUCHED ROUGH PR<...>', shows Owen sitting on Baron's knee, on a wooden bench, the two smiling. The four largest are studies of Owen's smiling face, staring into the camera.

Three black and white prints, ranging in size from 12 x 17 cm to 10 x 7.5 cm. The contact sheet is 12.5 x 13 cm. The four items in fair condition, lightly aged and worn. One of the three pictures shows a smiling Baron outdoors with a young blonde boy (his son?), who is holding a camera tripd; another shows him standing with his arm on the shoulder of another man (his brother?), both on skis in the snow; and the third shows him in a heavy wool coat, on the steps of a European building, with a man in Slavic costume. The last is inscribed on the reverse: 'May 1940 | <?>.

Dimensions of card: roughly 12 x 18 cm. Dimensions of image: 10 x 14 cm. Printed on shiny paper. Aged, spotted and worn. 'Meisenbach' in bottom right-hand corner of image. Caption above the image: 'Principal Writers of "The Clarion," the foremost advocate of evolutionary Socialism in England.' Beneath the image: 'E. F. Fay (THE BOUNDER). A.M. Thompson (DANGLE). Robert Blatchford (Nunquam). M. Blatchford (MONT BLANC).' Undated, but certainly dating from between 1891, when the Clarion was founded, and 1896, when Fay died.

For more information on Common, see his entry in the Oxford DNB. Both items on aged and worn paper. ONE: Typed Letter Signed. 31 March 1900. 1p., 4to. 'I bought a gross of balls of Hunter and paid for them on the understanding that I should take them as I wanted them'. He has a rough idea how many he has had, and will be 'able to say exactly when I look in my locker'. He ends by asking the firm to refer to Hunter's books regarding the matter. TWO: Typed Receipt, signed by Common over two red Inland Revenue penny stamps. 12 May 1900. 1p., 4to. 'Received of Messrs Emmerson & Co.

Both items in good condition, on lightly worn and aged paper. ONE: Photograph. Roughly 12 x 9 cm, with upper corners rounded. Laid down on piece of 22 x 16.5 cm brown paper with printed caption 'INTERNATIONAL STATISTICAL CONGRESS, | LONDON, 1860'. The paper backing is in turn laid down on a piece of white 23.5 x 17 cm paper. The photograph depicts a keen-eyed and bewhiskered Legoyt, seated uncompromisingly on a chair, with arms folded. TWO: Printed Appeal. 1p., 12mo. On bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'F Hendricks Esqre. | 1 King William Street | E6'.

ALS, on letterhead of Millais House, Cromwell Place, South Kensington; 22 June 1915, one page, 4to, He is glad he 'liked the parboils - it was a great pleasure to me to make them'. Asks him to accept two copies: 'I have a library of signed Author's Copies and if you can spare me a copy of one of your admirable books I should treasure its possession.' Brief note at top by Maire on identity of letter-writer.

Beales, also a sign painter and picture framer, was a successful and prolific photographer (he boasts on two of the items below of '3,400 Testimonials'), whose Parade Studio was at 5 South Bar, Banbury, from 1888 to 1911, with a secondary business at the County Studio, George Row, Northampton at around the same time. Beales claimed the Royal patronage of both Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales, and aimed at the upper end of the market. Seven of the eight items in good condition, lightly-aged, but Item Four with minor damage (see description).

4pp., 8vo. Stapled. Carbon of original typescript, with indentations showing on the reverse. In good condition, on lightly-aged paper, with rust spotting from staple, and punch holes in margin. The report covers the first three pages, and is dated at the end '4th August, 1951'. It is headed 'Charles E. Fraser, Chief Photographer, Lennox Gardens | Director of Exhibitions | Confidential Report | Subject: Comprehensive Photographic Record for posterity of the South Bank Exhibition Festival of Britain 1951'.

ALS, on letterhead of Millais House, Cromwell Place, South Kensington; 22 June 1915. He is glad he 'liked the parboils - it was a great pleasure to me to make them'. Asks him to accept two copies: 'I have a library of signed Author's Copies and if you can spare me a copy of one of your admirable books I should treasure its possession.'

Carte-de-visite size, c.6 x 10cm, faded photograph of Bridget Winthrop (or engraving of), sl. spotted, on reverse the following information in MS., Bridget Winthrop married to Wm Maunsell | Mrs Wm Maunsell gt grandmother of H.O. Donnell[MA CLK?] [space] great great Grandmother to Mrs Petronella O'Donnell and to Mr Elliot O'Donnell". [Printed on reverse: Mrs. C. Flynn | Bookseller & Stationer | Circulating Library | Photographic Studio | 20 George Street | Limerick".From the archive of Elliot O'Donnell, Irish ghost-hunter. Note: Limerick: Mrs. C.

ALS, on letterhead of Millais House, Cromwell Place, South Kensington; 22 June 1915. He is glad he 'liked the parboils - it was a great pleasure to me to make them'. Asks him to accept two copies: 'I have a library of signed Author's Copies and if you can spare me a copy of one of your admirable books I should treasure its possession.'

12mo, 2 pp. 28 lines. With original envelope. Text clear and complete. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Regarding Saki's membership of two gentlemen's clubs - the Savage and the Author's - he has wished to refresh his memory before replying. Having heard back from both he admits he was mistaken; though he 'had drinks with him on several occasions at both he was never an actual member but, on and off, a guest only'. He recalls that Munro did not have 'any very close friends', but that he was 'much liked' by close acquaintance. 'Alas! I have no longer even a photograph of him'.

Photograph, head and shoulders, signed Fayer, c.19 x 23cm, with border and simple black frame. Inscribed below photograph: "To Miss Holden/ Nov: 1941 Sincerely Yours/ Henry J. Wood".

Two pages, 12mo. Very good. In a case involving ['The Sphere'?] newspaper, Crooke has accepted the judgement in the case of the printers Hodge & Co., but he has appealed 'to the Inner House of the Court of Session' against the judgement in the case against the publishers. 'If the appeal is proceeded with it is not likely to be heard sooner than about December.'

Dimensions of photograph 9 x 5.5 cm. Good sepia image, on backing card with Mayall's details printed in red at foot. Reverse of card mostly covered with remains of previous cream paper mount. This image does not feature among the three portraits of Martin listed in the National Portrait Gallery's online catalogue of its collection.

The studio photograph, with printed label of 'Walter Baker, 159, Mosely Road, Birmingham. Highgate Studios.' on reverse, and the manuscript number '24704 | 98'. is a good clear head and shoulders portrait (dimensions roughly three and a half inches by two and a quarter wide), in very good condition. Although untitled, it seems to be Carl, as represented on the title-page of his book, without the moustache and a little younger. The book is twenty-eight pages, octavo, in original coloured printed boards. Numerous line drawings.

Presumably taken on Dickens's second reading tour of the United States. Roughly 2 1/4 by 3 3/4 inches. Slightly faded, but a good, clear image, though somewhat grubby and with minor ink spotting, mainly around the subject's arms. Mounted on photographer's card, which has on reverse charming illustration of cherub with palette in hand sitting on book and painting the photographer's details onto board on easel. Traces of previous black-paper mount adhering to reverse (not affecting image), which is docketed in pencil.

Roughly 9 centimeters by 14 centimeters. Lighly scuffed , chipped, and stained, but in reasonable condition overall. Small triangular piece of loss (roughly half a centimeter each side of triangle) to bottom left-hand corner. Atmospheric shadowy portrait of mournful-looking (actor's?) head wearing strange elfin-style hat looking to right and upwards. Faint reflective signature 'MAY | MOORE' can be made out with difficulty in bottom right-hand corner. Mounted on a large piece of creased grey paper. Attractive signature ' | 1920' diagonally on grey paper to bottom-right of photograph.

Evocative picture with docks to the right viewed through tree branches, and a number of boats and ships clearly visible, with three three-masted ones in the foreground, one sideways on and the two beside it viewed from the bows. Dimensions: 2¼ inches by 3¾ inches. Mounted on a piece of pink board which is docketed on reverse in nineteenth century hand: 'Hudson River. N.Y. from Hoboken Docks.' The picture is a little creased in the bottom left-hand corner and there is minor discolouration due to ink stains and grime.