[PHOTOGRAPHY - TRAVEL]
The archive of a professional travel photographer, circa 1890s. Ten volumes (of at least eleven originally present), flexible cloth lettered by hand, each cover hand-lettered in gilt with the subjects contained within. 9 1/2 x 7 1/2 inches (195 x 245 mm); approximately 1,040 images primarily of buildings of architectural significance in France and England (arranged geographically), carbon prints on linen backings, most versos annotated in pencil with the subject, each image with a prominent negative number in the plate; a few with the verso annotated as to problems with the original glass plate negatives corresponding to the image ("cracked", "broken," etc.). Volume 10 not present, wear to the cloth bindings with the lettering in some cases indistinct, the images generally in excellent condition (a handful showing minor water damage).

A remarkable archive, from its extent and from the internal indications the stock of images available for purchase from a travel photographer of some considerable talent. Who this was remains unidentified (we find no internal indications as to the artist, and we have not been able to match any of the images with a known photographer). These volumes were most likely prepared to permit prospective clients to order a representative selection of images for an album depicting their travels, in the era just before portable personal film cameras became ubiquitous. The quality of the architectural photography contained within is exceptional. A detailed list by location and image number is available upon request.