July 2016 Blog Posts (18)

Today is the 179th anniversary celebrating the birth of the early pioneer of 'moving pictures', John Arthur Roebuck Rudge. Discover more about the 'JAR of Knowledge' (as named by his…

Sarah Angelina Acland, the pioneer colour photographer, was honoured yesterday with a blue plaque on the property at 10 Park Town, Oxford, where she was living at her death. The plaque was initiated by the Oxfordshire Blue Plaques Board and was supported by the Royal Photographic Society, Giles Hudson and others. Amongst those attending the ceremony were Lt-Col Sir Guy…

This summer the V&A will present a display of over 120 photographs that explore the camera as subject. People are taking more photographs today than ever before, but as they increasingly rely on smartphones, the traditional device is disappearing from sight. 

The Camera Exposed showcases works by over 57 known artists as well as many…

I have this Vernon Heath albumen photograph in my possession that I purchased about seven years ago here in New England. It's in its original frame and the photograph itself measures 19 1/4" h x 26 1/4"w. It's possible that this example is an enlargement from a smaller glass negative as I'm aware of Heath's innovations in this regard. Although, does anyone know whether he…

The full programme for the St Andrews Photography Festival, Celebrating 175 years of Scottish Photography in the home of Scottish Photography, which takes place from 1 August-11 September can now be downloaded…

I'm working on a project with the architectural historian, David Blissett, who is currently writing a biography of the English Victorian architect Charles Barry.  Barry designed the Houses of Parliament in London and David is trying to locate any early photos of the Houses of Parliament (i.e. under construction from 1840 onwards).  Any information on the whereabouts of…

The George Eastman Museum recently purchased the only known box of Kodak Film for use in the Kodak camera (sometimes called American Film), introduced by the Eastman Dry Plate and Film Company in 1888, and one of only three known boxes of Kodak Transparent Film, introduced in 1889 for use in the Kodak camera. Now a part of…

The first annual St Andrews Photography Festival, which is set to celebrate the role and legacy of the town’s pioneers of photography from August 1, has revealed details of its headlining exhibitions and events.

UPDATED: The full programme can be…

The International Conference Stereo & Immersive Media 2016 aims to gather researchers, artists, curators, and archivists working on visual and sound media renowned for their immersive features.

“Stereo” environments (stereoscopic and stereophonic) have been widening the fields of photography and sound since the 19th century, contributing to the emergence of a…

The 11th Seminar on the Origins and History of Cinema will have the theme of: Presences and Representations of Women in the Early Years of Cinema 1895-1920 and will take place in Girona, on Thursday 30th and Friday 31st of March, 2017. Details of the call for papers can be found here: …

Greetings. I am looking for information about this albumen photo, a student art room at the South Kensington Museum, which became part of the V&A. It has a Letterpress description, and the blindstamps of both the museum (Loan), and of the photographers Cundall and Downes.

The V&A has an exact copy, and the photographer is listed as Cundall and Downes, with a…

Beryl Diana Vosburgh, who for many years ran Jubilee Photographica, a shop selling old photographs and photographic equipment, in Pierrepoint Row, Camden Passage, London, died on 6 July 2016.

Beryl was a familiar face at the early auctions of photography and the name 'Jubilee' would be heard repeatedly in the days when a buyer's name was called out in the auction room…

The History and Archives section of the German Photographic Society (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Photographie, DGPh) has recognised scientific research in the history and theory of photography since 1978.

The DGPh History of Photography Research Award 2016 will be open for all elements of research into photography’s many aspects. Besides aspects of traditional history…

In 2015 I rediscovered the grave of Victorian photographer Robert Howlett and started researching his short life with the intention of producing his comprehensive biography.  As a consequence of his early death he left no will, diary, family documents or artefacts so this has been a considerable uphill task. 

His story has now taken shape with the help and goodwill of…

I am researching the Scottish photographer James Valentine (1815-1879) with the goal of a publication in mind. I would therefore welcome information on James Valentine specifically related to his earliest involvement in photography. Of particular interest to me is a comment in one of his obituaries that claimed he had ‘commenced photography at a very early period after its…

This remarkable collection grew from Mike Simkin’s fascination with the pre-cinema moving image, with many fine rarities in every area: optical toys, magic lanterns, illuminants, books, catalogues and ephemera rounded off by the huge slide collection. Predominantly mahogany-mounted and hand-painted, it encompasses Isaac Knott Royal Polytechnic sets, Henry Langdon…

St Andrews Photography Festival has announced several events of interest to BPH readers. First up, on 1 August Dr Alison Morrison-Low will discuss the work of Dr John Adamson. View this and others at the Festival's Facebook page: …