Guy Little Theatrical Photograph
1850
photographic
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
1850
photographic
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph is a 1850 photographic by Elliott & Fry, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This black-and-white photo shows actor George Grossmith from the late 1800s. It was taken by Elliott & Fry, a London studio that made these small portraits popular. Back then, fans collected actor photos like trading cards. These “cartes de visite” were cheap and easy to swap, so everyone had a favorite star in their album. Look up Elliott & Fry next.
This photograph by Elliott & Fry features George Grossmith, produced as an albumen print on a card mount typical of Victorian theatrical cartes de visite. The image belongs to a large collection of such cards and cabinet photographs assembled by Guy Tristram Little, later donated to the V&A. Cartes de visite, introduced in 1854, were small portrait prints widely collected during the 1860s before being replaced by larger cabinet cards in the late 19th century. Little’s collection, including this item, was presented to the museum in the early 20th century.
Read the full account in the museum source.
These London guys snapped the 19th century’s biggest stars in quick, bright portraits you’d see outside the stage door.
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