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Blacking the boys

Photograph
early 20th century (photographed)
Artist/Maker
Pitcairn-Knowles, Andrew (photographer)
Place of origin
Nice (photographed)

Andrew Pitcairn-Knowles was a pioneer photographic journalist who published his work in the new illustrated magazines of the 1890s and early 20th century. He specialised in sports and genre subjects in mainland Europe. This image is from a series of photographs made behind the scenes at Nice Carnival.

Object details

Category
Photographs
Object type
Photograph
Titles
  • Blacking the boys (generic title)
  • Behind the scenes at Nice Carnival (series title)
Materials and techniques
Gelatin-silver print
Brief description
'Blacking the boys', photograph by Andrew Pitcairn-Knowles, Nice, early 20th century.
Physical description
This photograph shows a group of boys with blackened faces and a man painting black the face of a youngster.
Dimensions
  • Height: 12cm
  • Width: 16.1cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • '04/3' (Donor's reference, verso, pencil. Vintage prints numbered ie. 01/3 = '0' for 'original', envelope 1, print number 3)
  • '0144688' (Pencil, verso. Seven digit number = digital reference number as made by Topham Picture Library)
  • 'A. PITCAIRN-KNOWLES, / RIPOSO, / ST. HELEN'S PARK, / HASTINGS.' (Stamp, verso, purple ink)
  • 'REPRODUCTION INTERDITE / COPYRIGHT' (Stamp, verso, purple ink)
  • 'THE INTERNATIONAL PRESS AGENCY / 46, Avenue Maurice, 46 / IXELLES-BRUXELLES' (Stamp, verso, purple ink. Crossed out with three lines in blue pencil)
Credit line
Purchased through the Cecil Beaton Royalties Fund
Object history
Pitcairn-Knowles Archive purchased from Andrew Pitcairn-Knowles' grandson Richard Pitcairn-Knowles.
Summary
Andrew Pitcairn-Knowles was a pioneer photographic journalist who published his work in the new illustrated magazines of the 1890s and early 20th century. He specialised in sports and genre subjects in mainland Europe. This image is from a series of photographs made behind the scenes at Nice Carnival.
Bibliographic reference
Pitcairn-Knowles, Richard.The Edwardian eye of Andrew Pitcairn-Knowles 1871-1956. Sussex: The Book Guild Ltd, 2000.
Other numbers
  • 04/3 - Donor's reference
  • 0144688 - Topham Picture Library reference number
Collection
Prints, Drawings & Paintings Collection
Accession number
E.3322-2004

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Record createdJuly 22, 2004
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O101902/blacking-the-boys-photograph-pitcairn-knowles-andrew/
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