Not on display

Guy Little Theatrical Photograph

Photograph
ca. late 19th century (photographed)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Photograph of Stella Brereton

Photography was a novel and exciting development in Victorian days. Most actors and actresses had studio photographs taken, in everyday dress or theatrical costume, for ‘cartes de visite’, and later ‘cabinet cards’. Both were albumen prints made from glass negatives, attached to stiff card backing printed with the photographer’s name.

‘Cartes de visite’, the size of formal visiting cards, were patented in 1854 and produced in their millions during the 1860s when it became fashionable to collect them. Their subjects included scenic views, tourist attractions and works of art, as well as portraits. They were superseded in the late 1870s by the larger and sturdier ‘cabinet cards’ whose popularity waned in turn during the 1890s in favour of postcards and studio portraits.

This photograph comes from a large collection of ‘cartes de visite’ and ‘cabinet cards’ removed from their backings and mounted in albums by Guy Tristram Little (d.1953) who bequeathed them to the V&A. A collector of greetings cards, games and photographs, Guy Little was a partner in the legal firm Messrs Milles Jennings White & Foster, and the solicitor and executor of Mrs. Gabrielle Enthoven, whose theatrical collection formed the basis of the Theatre Collections at the V&A.

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleGuy Little Theatrical Photograph (named collection)
Materials and techniques
Sepia photograph on paper
Brief description
Photograph of Stella Brereton, 19th c. Guy Little Collection.
Physical description
Sepia photograph of Stella Brereton. Signed slip of card also included.
Dimensions
  • Photograph height: 9.1cm
  • Photograph width: 5.9cm
  • SLIP of card height: 1.0cm
  • SLIP of card width: 6.4cm
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Stella Brereton / WH Gilbert Tate' (Written in pencil on back of photograph.)
  • 'W. H. GILBERT TATE. / 45, CHEAPSIDE, / LONDON, E.C.' (Printed on slip of card.)
  • 'Stella Brereton' (Signature on slip of card.)
Object history
This is one of the outstanding collection of 19th century photographs owned by Guy Little presented to the museum in the early 20th century.
Subject depicted
Summary
Photograph of Stella Brereton

Photography was a novel and exciting development in Victorian days. Most actors and actresses had studio photographs taken, in everyday dress or theatrical costume, for ‘cartes de visite’, and later ‘cabinet cards’. Both were albumen prints made from glass negatives, attached to stiff card backing printed with the photographer’s name.

‘Cartes de visite’, the size of formal visiting cards, were patented in 1854 and produced in their millions during the 1860s when it became fashionable to collect them. Their subjects included scenic views, tourist attractions and works of art, as well as portraits. They were superseded in the late 1870s by the larger and sturdier ‘cabinet cards’ whose popularity waned in turn during the 1890s in favour of postcards and studio portraits.

This photograph comes from a large collection of ‘cartes de visite’ and ‘cabinet cards’ removed from their backings and mounted in albums by Guy Tristram Little (d.1953) who bequeathed them to the V&A. A collector of greetings cards, games and photographs, Guy Little was a partner in the legal firm Messrs Milles Jennings White & Foster, and the solicitor and executor of Mrs. Gabrielle Enthoven, whose theatrical collection formed the basis of the Theatre Collections at the V&A.
Other number
GLC XVII.iii.3.2 - Guy Little album identification numbering
Collection
Accession number
S.149:175-2007

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMay 14, 2009
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest