Original Vintage Scottish Photo Album, c. 1870s, Photographs of Scottish Scenery, James Valentine, c. 39 Albumen Prints

An impressive, and substantial photograph album from the firm of James Valentine (1815-1879) of Dundee, a leading photographer of the day in Scotland. The firm produced topographical view of Scotland from the 1860s. Later they gained public prominence with their photographs of the Tay Bridge rail disaster in 1879. Both Dundee City Library and the University of St Andrews hold collections of the firm's photographs (the latter with approximately 120,000 images in different forms). We would date this album to the 1870s as there are a few of the photographs with handwritten dates of 1878 written below two of the photographs, although the album may contains prints of some photographs from 1860s negatives. The firm's name changed to James Valentine and Sons in 1878, so the album has to be prior to that name change as the 'J. Valentine, Photographer, Dundee' is stated on the front cover, below the crown symbol of the Royal Warrant.

This album is titled 'Photographs of Scottish Scenery' to the front cover.

The album comprises original albumen prints mounted onto card pages. Prints are typically 168mm x 115mm  (approx 6 1/2 inches x 4 1/2 inches). There are 39 prints in total. 

Geographically the photographs cover a considerable number of Scottish locations. These include Dundee, St. Andrews, Edinburgh, Roslyn Chapel, Linlithgow Palace, Drummond Castle, Walter Scott's Abbotsford, Melrose, Dryburgh, Kelso, Jedburgh, Bothwell Castle, Waterfalls, Loch Lomond, The Trossachs, and Dunkeld.

Subject matter is primarily landscapes, city views, monuments, historic buildings and beautiful views.

The photos are housed in a large leatherbound album with chagrin style texture and gilt decoration. Covers are scuffed and worn, but album is soundly bound. With gold dentelles to inner covers. 

Overall photographs are in very good condition with some age toning to edges.

An interesting and attractive collection of Scottish interest period photographs.

Dimensions of album: approximately 319mm high x 258mm wide x 36mm deep.

Weight approximately 2177g unpacked.