FENTON, ROGER (1819-1869)
Group of four salt prints of Crimean War scenes, comprising Chasseurs d'Afrique; Zouave and Spahi, Attendants of Maréchal Pelissier; Major General Estcourt and Staff; and General Beuret and officers of his staff all 1855-6, printed 1856. The four on the the original large recessed card mounts with printed titling etc. by T. Agnew. Some foxing to mounts, one mount with a portion of card excised, the images generally in excellent condition.
Fenton was in Crimea in March through June of 1855, with an assistant, a servant, and a horse-drawn wine merchant's van retrofitted for photographic equipment and to serve as a darkroom. Though he was not able to capture the carnage (it was not possible to capture engagements given the long exposure times needed), his scenes are the first photographic reportage from a battlefield.