An album of views of Northern Ireland from c. 1870-1890, by Robert John Welch, Titanic photographer

A fascinating late nineteenth century photo album of albumen prints from Robert Welch. Undated, but c. 1870s-1890s. The album contains views taken in northern Ireland with many in and around Larne. Locations include Ballygally, Glenarm, Inver, Islandmagee, Glenoe, Brown's Bay and Carrickfergus. They include topographical views as well as beautifully staged rustic scenes with local people featured.

Robert John Welch (1859–1936) was a prominent photographer based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, known for his extensive work documenting Irish landscapes, industry, and culture during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His photographs are held in major archives, including the Ulster Museum, National Museums Northern Ireland, and the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI).

The son of a Scottish photographer, he was based in Belfast and travelled extensively in Northern Ireland. He was the Official photographer to several institutions, including the Geological Survey of Ireland and the Harland & Wolff shipyard (he photographed the construction of Titanic, creating images which are now familiar to many worldwide). 

His work in the album can be identified, not only stylistically, but by the name 'Welch' being in the negative or via his 'R.W.' initials used to denote the reference number of his photographs.

The contents of this album, which contains 43 albumen prints, are as follows;

7 x untiled views of a country house / estate; 

1 x Ballgally Head; 

1 x Black Cave Tunnel, Antrim Coast Road; 

1 x The Corn Sacks, Ballygally Hd Coast Road; 

1 x S.Y. Vanduara, in Larne Harbour; 

4 x beautifully lit interior household scenes (appears to be lit from skylight); 

1 x Ballygally Castle, Antrim Coast; 

1 x The Madman's Window, Glennarm, County Antrim; 

1 x Glenarm Bay, Harbour, & Garron Pt.; 

1 x Barbican Bridge, Glenarm Castle; 

1 x Larne Harbour, The Curran & Islandmagee; 

1 x Larne Lough from Drumalis; 

1 x Larne Regatta; 

1 x Curran Point, Olderfleet Castle & Shipyard, Larne; 

1 x Larne and Stranraer Steamer entering Larne Harbour; 

1 x The Bankheads, Larne Harbour; 

1 x Lych Gate Inver Church; 

1 x Chaine's Grave & Tower, Larne; 

1 x Olderfleet Hotel, Larne Harbour; 

1 x Larne and Lough from New Road; 

1 x General View Larne & Entrance to Lough; 

1 x Antrim Coast & Headlands from Druids Altar, Islandmagee; 

1 x 'Fresh Fish', "Hae Ye Any Makril", Inver, a north coast village; 

1 x 'One of McNeill's', Coast Road Outside Cars, Inver Lane

1 x 'An Irish Village scene', Glynn Larne, 'Granny's Story 'The Oul Spinnin Wheel'; 

1 x 'An Irish Jaunting Car'; 

1 x Glenoe, an "Antrim Glynn" village; 

1 x Glenoe, Larne; 

1 x Glenoe Waterfall; 

1 x Kilwaughter Castle, Larne; 

1 x Druid's Cottage Cromlech, Islandmagee (child by rock formation); 

1 x The Rocking Stone, Brown's Bay, near Larne (child by rock formation); 

1 x Browne's Bay, near Larne; 

1 x Shell Gatherers Caught by the Tide, Carrickfergus. 

The album features a padded brown leather covering with raised bands and gilt to the spine. Cover with wear, marks and indentations. The binding is weak and the leaves are pulling away from the spine, although all still bound. The album is a mix of blank leaves and those with images. The album overall has seen better days, and probably been previously stored in a damp environment, with leaves carrying substantial mould and dampstain marks.

The photographs themselves are good. They are mounted 2 per page and the upper image generally has some dampstain marks along the top edge, whilst lower images are generally in very good condition. The photographs retain excellent clarity and definition and form a wonderful record of this part of norther Ireland towards the end of the nineteenth century. Despite its flaws, still a lovely collection of images from a great photographer.

Approximate dimensions (the album): 370mm high x 285mm wide (14.5" x 11") x 55mm deep.

Individual photograph size: approximately 200mm x 155mm (8" x 6").

Weight approximately 3.93kg (unpacked).