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.

Visit the Royal Collection

Glass plate negatives

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

      ATTRIBUTED TO THOMAS PEARCE (ACTIVE C. 1850S)

      Balmoral Castle

      c. 1857

      RCIN 2082970

      Glass plate negative of a view of the New Balmoral Castle. There is a building and trees in the foreground and Parliament Knowle in the background.

      The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed. A print from this negative exists in the Collection, RCIN 2160066.

      • Creator(s)

        Attributed to Thomas Pearce (active c. 1850s) (photographer)

      • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

      • Subject(s)
        • Places
          • Europe
            • Great Britain
              • Scotland
                • Aberdeenshire [Scotland]
                  • Balmoral Castle [Aberdeenshire]
                  • Balmoral Estate [Aberdeenshire]
                    • Craig Gowan House [Balmoral Estates]
        Object type(s)
          • visual works
            • photographs
              • negatives
                • glass plate negatives
      PreviousNext
      PreviousNext