L1.74 Bleek, Wilhelm 1854

L1.74 Bleek, Wilhelm 1854

Photographs and Portraits

1854

Oval studio portrait, sepia. Portrait oval: 4⅛ x 3¼ inches. Photographer's imprint on back below a gartered royal coat of arms: PHOTOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION 168 NEW BOND STREET, LONDON (Near the [Clar]enden Hotel.) Frame 7 x 5¾ inches. Glazed.

Inscribed on back in pencil above the photographer's imprint: W.H.I. Bleek at the age of 27. Inscribed in ink below the photograph's imprint: 1854 or 1855. The photograph is mounted behind a white paper mat pasted onto the cardboard mount. The mat has a center oval aperture surrounded by a fine gold line. Glass is taped to the cardboard to form a fitted frame. A small metal ring is inserted in the top of the frame from which to hang it. Most of the original glazing is intact but there is a piece missing after the glass was been broken in transit to the USA after Scott's death in 1998. This studio portrait is believed to be the only copy in existence.