The only known photographs of Ada Lovelace - two daguerreotypes by Antoine Claudet and a third by an unknown photographer - the three were previous exhibited at the Bodleian Library in 2015. The two daguerreotypes date to c.1843. Lovelace (18145-1852) is considered a pioneer of computing. They passed through the family to the present owner G M Bond. The lot is estimated at £80,000-100,000.
The lot following (lot 82) comprises two portraits of Lovelace's children and a female member of the Lovelace/Byron family by Kilburn and a Beard patentee.
Fine Books, Maps & Manuscripts
Bonhams, London
Online, ending 19 June 2025
lot 81. See: https://www.bonhams.com/auction/30730/lot/81/lovelace-ada-the-only-known-photographs-of-ada-lovelace-3/
Read the Bodleian description here
Comments
Let's hope that the National Portrait Gallery, or the Bodleian Library, comes up with the winning bid. These plates should have been gifted to the nation...
Yes, agree. The NPG seems the obvious home - let's hope it can secure funding. If not, then at least they'll be subject to an export licence to give another chance to retain them in the UK.