This website presents our knowledge and research on this important aspect of the Royal Collection. As of April 2026 it will not be regularly updated and new research on this topic will sit within the main website.

Glass plate negatives

Albert and Victoria’s collection of glass plate negatives show photographers’ working methods

    AFTER LEONIDA CALDESI (1823-91)

    Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, later Edward VII (1841-1910)

    c. 1857

    RCIN 2083562

    Glass plate negative showing a photograph of Prince Albert Edward placed under a sheet with two round apertures. The prince's head can be seen though the upper aperture, indicating the photographer's intention to isolate that area for future usage.

    The prince facestowards the camera and turns his head three-quarters to the right, looking away from the camera. He wears a suit jacket, check crava and waistcoat.

    The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed. Prints of the original portrait taken in 1857 exist in the Collection (e.g. RCIN 2917893).

    • Creator(s)

      After Leonida Caldesi (1823-91) (photographer)

      Unknown Person (photographer)

      Subject(s)

      King Edward VII, King of the United Kingdom (1841-1910)
    • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert 

    • Subject(s)
      • Science, Medicine and Technology
        • Industries, Crafts and Trades
          • Clothing
            • Costume-Evening Dress(male)
              • Top hats
          • Travel Goods
            • Walking sticks
              • Canes
      Object type(s)
        • visual works
          • photographs
            • negatives
              • glass plate negatives