Author: Valentine, James [1815 - 1879] & Wilson, George Washington [1823 - 1893]
Title: GRAND TOUR ALBUMEN PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM Of SCOTLAND
Description: Aberdeen [?] Dundee [?]: , (n. d.). Ca 1860s / 1870s. Album, which appears commerical in nature [perhaps from Valentine's studio?], of full pebbled sheep dyed dark blue with elaborate gilt decorations, bevelled edges, AEG. Pale yellow silk moire end sheets. Front cover with a gilt stamped entwined monogram, "SOI". A heavy item, weighing in at over 7 lbs. 30 leaves of mounting stock, generally two images [~ 6-1/2" x 4-5/8"] per leaf recto, 6 with large format images [~ 6-1/2" x 9-1/2"]. Lightweight blank leaves acting as photo guards. 53 images total; 36 with GWW monogram; 15 with JV monogram; 2 with no monogram discernable. Photographs captioned in the plate, white lettering. 12-1/8" x 10-1/8" Valentine "was a Scottish photographer. In 1860, he decided to emulate the success of George Washington Wilson in Aberdeen by selling topographical view photographs. In 1866, Valentine carried out his first Royal commission and received the royal warrant in 1867. His organisational and presentational skills were essential in the rapidly expanding and thriving concern which opened a large printing works at 152 and 154 Perth Road, Dundee. Valentine views in the 19th century aimed at the national middle and upper class tourist market, with the production of both drawing room albums containing selections of photographs arranged geographically and individual landscape prints. They competed with Francis Frith and George Washington Wilson, who were producing pictures of similar quality. Landscapes were available in a choice of sizes - cabinet, imperial and card. Intially, subjects concentrated on tourist sights in Scotland, then branching out to England, as well as on to fashionable resorts abroad, including Norway, Jamaica, Tangiers, Morocco, Madeira and New Zealand." Wilson "was a pioneering Scottish photographer. In 1849, he began a career as a portrait miniaturist, switching to portrait photography in 1852. He received a contract to photograph the Royal Family, working for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. He pioneered various techniques for outdoor photography and the mass production of photographic prints as he gradually began to largely do landscape photography in the 1860s." [Wiki]. Album with extremity rubs. A couple mounting leaves, in center, detached. Album - About VG. Images generally clear 7 sharp, with good tonality. VG+.

Keywords: Photography Photography


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