Photographs

Photographs have existed in various forms from the daguerreotypes of the early 19th century right through to today’s development of digital technology.

London dealers P & D Colnaghi have been selling photographs since the 1850s while the first photographic auctions took place in London in the mid-19th century, and though slower to take hold in the US, Alfred Stieglitz established important photographic galleries in New York during the first half of the 20th century.

Some of the most collectable photographers include Julia Margaret Cameron, Ansel Adams, Cindy Sherman, and Irving Penn.


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Royal role of pioneering photographer Wilding

01 May 2023

Pictured here is a signed photo-portrait of the 20-year-old future Queen Elizabeth II and her then 15-year-old younger sister, Princess Margaret.

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Wilding portraits on offer in west London

01 May 2023

Two signed royal portrait photographs by Dorothy Wilding (1893-1976) will be offered at Chiswick Auctions.

Francis Frith photograph

Three events to provide a snapshot of the vintage photographica market

17 April 2023

Collectors of photography have an eyeful next month in London with three fairs dedicated to the art, both vintage and modern.

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Photo shows Gunners still south of the river

27 March 2023

With Arsenal still setting the pace at the top of the Premier League as we went to press, several lots offered at Graham Budd’s (24% buyer’s premium) sale on March 7-8 acted as a reminder of the club’s formative days.

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A world coming into focus thanks to Negretti & Zambra

20 February 2023

Early stereoscopic images featured in the collection of a dealer curious about how technology transformed life in Victorian times

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Dealer news in brief including the sale of a photography archive from the pages of ATG

13 February 2023

A summary of news and events from around the trade

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Photograph of Marilyn Monroe signed for short-lived husband Joe DiMaggio

23 January 2023

Signed presidential and other politically significant documents and letters brought high bids at a Heritage (15/20/15% buyer’s premium) sale, but more costly than those lots was this photograph of Marilyn Monroe.

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The web shop window: Photographic portraits archive

23 January 2023

Thousands of items are available to buy from dealers online. Here we pick out one that caught our eye this week.

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Gallery puts Lartigue in limelight

19 December 2022

Compact Paris exhibition includes 19 works with a ‘super provenance’ to the artist’s wife

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Bidders desperate for daguerreotypes

12 December 2022

Found in a cigar box during an attic clearance and taken to Exeter auction house Bearnes, Hampton & Littlewood (25% buyer’s premium), seven framed daguerreotypes in poor condition provided one of the better sleepers of the year on November 22-23.

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Brilliant Brunel – and a scandalous corset

12 December 2022

Commissioned by the 'Illustrated London Times' to document the construction of the mighty Great Eastern, the young photographer Robert Howlett (1831-58) took some of the most famous images of ship’s designer Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1806-59).

Isambard Kingdom Brunel photograph

Rare photograph of Isambard Kingdom Brunel stars in our pick of five auction highlights

02 December 2022

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a rare print showing the great Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel that made 12 times estimate in Gloucestershire.

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Auction benefits from constructive thinking

28 November 2022

Paris auction Ader (28% buyer’s premium) was busy on the photographic front during Paris Photo.

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Timing was picture perfect for Paris photograph auction

28 November 2022

Staging a photo collection sale just as a specialist fair opened proved a great choice.

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The £126,000 photos of Darwin’s evolution

14 November 2022

A rediscovered album of 19 cartes de visite portrait photographs documenting Charles Darwin’s changing visage over three decades sold for £126,000.

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Montmartre landmark building reaches to the sky

31 October 2022

'Paris Photo', the French capital’s annual fair dedicated to photography, holds its 25th edition at the Grand Palais Ephémère from November 10-13.

Charles Darwin photographs

Collection of Charles Darwin visiting cards coming to Essex auction

17 October 2022

An album of 19 carte de visite portrait photographs of Charles Darwin is offered in Reeman Dansie’s Fine Art auction on November 8-9.

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Top stories this week – including news of an early photograph album making over 10 times estimate

09 October 2022

The most popular stories on this website over the last week included news of an 1840s album of calotype photographs bringing demand in Edinburgh.

Calotype photograph

Photos reveal a face from 1840s Scotland

03 October 2022

An exceptionally early album of calotype photographs sold for £68,000 (plus 25% buyer’s premium) at Lyon & Turnbull on September 28.

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Tennyson portrayed by Julia Margaret Cameron

12 September 2022

Estimated at £3000-4000, this 9½ x 12in (24 x 30.5cm) albumen print by Julia Margaret Cameron of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, is offered in the Books, Maps, Manuscripts & Photography auction on September 15 at Lawrences of Crewkerne.

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