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.

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Glass plate negatives

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

      ROGER FENTON (1819-69)

      Balmoral Castle, West Side

      1856

      Wet collodion negative | 37.7 x 45.4 cm (whole object) | RCIN 2079271

      Glass plate negative of the exterior of Balmoral Castle from the west with the clock tower in the centre background.

      The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed. A print from this negative exist in the Collection, RCIN       2160038.

      • Creator(s)

        Roger Fenton (1819-69) (photographer)

      • 37.7 x 45.4 cm (whole object)

      • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

      • Subject(s)
        • Places
          • Europe
            • Great Britain
              • Scotland
                • Aberdeenshire [Scotland]
                  • Balmoral Estate [Aberdeenshire]
        Object type(s)
          • visual works
            • photographs
              • negatives
                • glass plate negatives
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