Back in May BPH reported on the auction by Bonhams of the only known portraits of Ada Lovelace, comprising two daguerreotype portraits by Claudet from c1843 and a daguerreotype copy of a painting of Lovelace. The lot was withdrawn from sale and the National Portrait Gallery was able to announce on Ada's birthday, yesterday, that it had acquired the portraits in 'a once in a lifetime opportunity'. The NPG notes that the acquisiiton 'will enable the Gallery to celebrate her pioneering work and inspire future generations'.
The purchase was supported by Tim Lindholm and Lucy Gaylord Lindholm through the American Friends of the National Portrait Gallery. The NPG will make a further announcement in the new year.
BPH played a small part in helping faciliate the purchase.
See: https://www.instagram.com/p/DSFlRfRCJEG/?igsh=MTB5dTNlMDliNXo4eQ==
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It might be interesting to readers of this blog to know more of its contribution to the NPG's acquisition. This was where I first learned about these previously-known, much-admired daguerreotypes coming up for sale. (The NPG's description as a "once in a lifetime opportunity" surely came from me, given the confluence of my interests in the dags.) I wrote Michael asking if he had any contacts at the NPG of people involved with acquisitions, which he supplied together with encouragement. I followed up with them, and after a month and a half of nail-biting strategizing and negotiations a deal was made a few hours before the auction was to close. In a real sense it started here.
Congrats to both you and Lucy for saving these imensly important pieces of British photographic history for the nation! Cudos Sir!