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

    UNKNOWN PERSON

    'John Grant (1810-79), Head Keeper at Balmoral'

    c. 1855

    RCIN 2083100

    Glass plate negative of a daguerreotype featuring a full length portrait of the Head Keeper, John Grant (1810-79). Grant is standing, facing the camera and turning his head to gaze towards the left. He wears a suit, cap and holds a telescope in both hands. His pose is similar with that in photograph RCIN 2160340.

    The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed. Prints from this negative do not seem to exist in the Collection.
    • Creator(s)

      Unknown Person (photographer)

      Subject(s)

      John Grant (1810-79)
    • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

    • Subject(s)
      • Science, Medicine and Technology
        • Industries, Crafts and Trades
          • Precision mechanisms & instruments
            • Telescopes
      Object type(s)
        • visual works
          • photographs
            • negatives
              • glass plate negatives