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Guy Little Theatrical Photograph

London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company

1887

photographic

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century

Dominant colour

Guy Little Theatrical Photograph is a 1887 photographic by London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company, a Impressionism work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company
When & what style?: 1887 · Impressionism
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This black-and-white photo shows a stage scene from 1887. Rowland Buckstone plays Basil Giorgione. Cissy Grahame plays Nellie Forrester. Both stand in full costume for the play *The Colonel*. It’s one of many theatrical photos made for fans to collect. Victorian actors sold these as “cartes de visite” to make extra money. Ever wonder where these old actor photos end up? See more at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The story of this work

Overview

The sepia photograph depicts Rowland Buckstone in the role of Basil Giorgione alongside Cissy Grahame as Nellie Forrester, captured during a performance of *The Colonel* at the Comedy Theatre. Produced by the London Stereoscopic and Photographic Company in 1887, the image is an albumen print mounted on card, typical of the "cabinet card" format popular in the late 19th century. It originates from a larger collection of theatrical photographs assembled by Guy Tristram Little and later donated to the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Read the full account in the museum source.