Description
Step into Victorian Britain with a substantial 19th-century photo album containing 76 original albumen prints of English castles, cathedrals, bridges, landscapes—and iconic sites like Stonehenge. Many images are by George Washington Wilson and James Valentine, two pillars of topographical photography whose work helped define how the public saw Britain in the 1800s.
Why the photographers matter:
George Washington Wilson (1823–1893): A Scottish pioneer who mastered outdoor photography in the wet-plate era, Wilson built one of the largest catalogues of British views through G. W. Wilson & Co. His compositions and technical quality set enduring standards and were widely collected by travelers.
James Valentine / Valentine & Sons: Based in Dundee, Valentine transformed a family firm into a powerhouse of topographical photography, issuing a systematic series of British views that later evolved into one of the world’s major postcard publishers. Earlier albumen prints from the firm (as represented here) are prized for their documentary value and consistency.Key details
Contents: 76 mounted albumen prints—cathedrals, castles, bridges, townscapes, countryside, and Stonehenge
Era: c. 1860s–1890s (classic albumen period)
Provenance: First page (detached) stamped Tioga Point Museum, Athens, Pennsylvania
Condition: Album spine damage with tape repair; waviness to pages; photographs overall in fine condition with expected gentle toning
Notes: Flip-through video was filmed one-handed—please excuse the filming. Questions welcome
Why this album is significant for collectors
Brings together landmark topographical photographers in a single curated volume
Offers primary visual documentation of major English sites in the albumen era
Strong research and display value: compare viewpoints, captions, and print quality across studios
Clear provenance plus honest condition notes for confident acquisition
Please review all photos for the best sense of condition and completeness.
