Guy Little Theatrical Photograph
St James's Photographic Studio
1850
photographic
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
St James's Photographic Studio
1850
photographic
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
Guy Little Theatrical Photograph is a 1850 photographic by St James's Photographic Studio, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
This is a photo of John Hare from the late 1800s. It’s a theatrical portrait meant for fans or collectors. Back then, actors often posed in costume for these keepsakes. Studio photos like this were a hot new trend. People loved collecting them like trading cards. They came in two sizes—smaller cards first, then bigger ones later. Check out the Victoria and Albert Museum if you want to see more photos like this.
This albumen print depicts the actor John Hare and was produced by St James's Photographic Studio around 1850 as a carte de visite. The photograph, mounted on card stock bearing the photographer's imprint, reflects the Victorian trend of collecting actor portraits in the form of small visiting-card-sized images. It was later removed from its backing and incorporated into a larger album assembled by collector Guy Tristram Little, whose theatrical photograph collection was donated to the V&A in the early 20th century.
Read the full account in the museum source.
This was the 1880s London studio where every actor wanted their photo taken—big hair, bigger expressions, and a backdrop that screamed “I’m on stage tonight.” Their prints were so sharp you could count the pins in a…
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