Just in case you have not come across this wonderful, free resource from The British Library, it's a great site for those lazy Sunday afternoon reads. For starters, there is a section on the development of photographically illustrated books which parallel the explosion in communications during the 19th century. In a period of unprecedented advances in science, exploration, travel, tourism and industry, photography provided an exciting, innovative alternative to conventional methods of book illustrations. You can find this online exhibition entitled "Victorian Britain in 1,500 original prints" by clicking here.
Or, perhaps, if you have missed last year's 'Points of View: Capturing the 19th Century in Photographs", you can still have a virtual visit, by clicking here. Enjoy them!
Comments
Thanks for your comments, Anthony.
Yes, I do agree and hope that the BL will upload more, and other national institutions should follow its example. It's great when you can view them from the comfort of your armchair!
This is a useful site... and hopefully other national libraries will follow this example. It represents the "tip of the iceberg" with respect to the total number of 19th century photographically illustrated publications held at the British Library.
Anthony Hamber
21 January 2011