Original Vintage Scottish Photo Album of scenic Scottish Views by George Washington Wilson, 1885
An attractive album of 20 albumen prints from 1885 (dated from gift presentation inscription). The photographer can be identified from the 'G.W.W.' initials present in the photograph captions. Pioneering Scottish photographer George Washington Wilson (1823-1893) founded G.W. Wilson & Co., a Scottish photographic firm. Beginning as a portrait photographer, he became photographer to the Royal family in the 1850s, and during the 1860s moved more towards landscape photography. The company was based in Aberdeen and the University of Aberdeen now holds a collection of over 40,000 glass plates negatives of his work.
This album carries a the simple title of 'Photographs' in gilt on a red cloth hardback book.
The album comprises original albumen prints mounted onto card pages, with blank guard separators. Prints are typically 122mm high x 200mm wide (approx 5" x 8"), and there are 20 in total. Subject matter is as follows:
Geographically the photographs cover a considerable number of Scottish locations. These include Edinburgh from Calton Hill; Holyrood Palace and Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh; Abbotsford, Melrose Abbey; Dryburgh Abbey; Burn's Cottage, Alloway, Ayr; Glasgow Cathedral; Kilchurn Castle; Oban; Staffa; Iona Cathedral and St. Oran's Chapel; Glencoe; Ben Nevis; Loch Coruisk, Skye; Aberdeen; Balmoral; Queen's View; Stirling Castle; Loch Katrine; and; Loch Lomond.
Subject matter is primarily landscapes, city views, historic buildings and beautiful views.
Overall photographs are in very good condition with excellent detail and retaining good tonality. The card mount pages have spotting, but the photographs are largely unaffected. Gilt edges to mount leaves.
An interesting and attractive collection of Scottish interest period photographs.
Typical photograph size of 122mm high x 200mm wide (approx 5" x 8").
Dimensions of album: approximately 179mm high x 167mm wide x 27mm deep.
Weight approximately 1034g unpacked.