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 George Rockwood, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This black-and-white photo shows Edwin Booth, a famous actor from the 1800s. Taken by George Rockwood late in the century, it’s a small albumen print meant for collectors. Back then, actors paid for portraits to sell fans. These “cartes de visite” were tiny calling cards, hugely popular until the 1870s. Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum to see more.
This photograph by George Rockwood depicts the actor Edwin Booth, produced as a carte de visite in the 1860s. The image is an albumen print from a glass negative, mounted on card stock with the photographer’s imprint. It was part of a larger collection of theatrical cartes de visite and cabinet cards assembled by Guy Little, later donated to the Victoria and Albert Museum. The photograph reflects the Victorian practice of collecting actor portraits as popular cartes de visite before they were replaced by larger cabinet cards in the late 19th century.
Read the full account in the museum source.
George Rockwood had a knack for capturing performers just as the lights hit their eyes.
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