Julia Margaret Cameron

albumen print, on a gilt-ruled Colnaghi mount, signed, dated 'Sept. 1872' and annotated 'From Life Registered Photograph Copy Right' in ink and with the Colnaghi blindstamp on the mount, 1872; accompanied by an 1872 autograph letter from Sir Henry Taylor to a 'Mrs Edward,' remarking upon Cameron's photographs of Alice Liddell (Cox & Ford 352) (2)

Sotheby's Belgravia, 18 October 1974, Lot 63 (the photograph)

Sotheby's London, 22 May 2003, Sale 3200, Lots 30 and 31 (the photograph and the letter)

Grading this albumen print on a scale of 1 to 10--a 10 being an albumen print with deep brown dark tones and highlights that retain all of their original detail--this print rates a solid 9. Comparing this photograph to others by Cameron, this is a strong print. The edges of the photograph do not appear faded and the print retains a striking level of detail. In raking light, faint and unobtrusive silvering is visible in the dark areas of the image. Various long and short surface scratches and scuffs are also visible. Upon extremely close examination, the lower right edge of the image and the lower left corner appear slightly more matte than the overall glossy surface. None of the above mentioned issue in any way detract from overall superb print quality. The front and reverse of the mount are soiled, and there is minor evidence of foxing. The mount is appropriately age-darkening at the print's periphery where it is not covered by the mat. On the reverse of the mount, '#940' and '4' (circled) are written in an unidentified hand in pencil. Also on the reverse are 4 hinge remnants (each measuring no larger than one-by-1/2-inches) along the upper and right edges. The Taylor letter is in ink on both sides of a sheet of paper that has yellowed with age. It was previously folded 3 times, possibly for mailing, and there are 3 linear and horizontal creases. The identity of the recipient, 'Mrs Edward,' is not known.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Sir Henry Taylor's letter dated 'The Roost, Bournemonth, 27 Sept 1872,' reads in part:

'. . . Mrs Cameron came to us yest[erda]y for a couple of days & brought with her divers photographs of the Miss Liddells, daughters of the Dean of Christ-church, who have been occupying Alfred Tennyson's home at Freshwater Bay for some weeks.  I have hardly seen any photographs of her's [sic] which are more beautiful in themselves or seem to represent more beauty in the person photographed than 3 or 4 of her photographs of Miss Alice Liddell.  I wonder whether you know her - & have seen the beauty in her which I see in her photograph . . .'

In Julia Margaret Cameron: The Complete Photographs, Julian Cox and Colin Ford locate only one albumen print from this negative, listed as 'whereabouts unknown.'  A variant image from this sitting is Cox cat. no. 351.