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

THOMAS PEARCE (ACTIVE C. 1850S)

Keepers to Prince Albert, Balmoral

Oct 1858

RCIN 2082963

Glass plate negative of a full-length group portrait of Keepers photographed at Balmoral with, from right to left, Charles Duncan (1826-1904), Peter Farquarson (d. 1874) and Donald Stewart (1827-1902). They stand together and look towards the left. They all wear full Highland dress.

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 2906727.

  • Creator(s)

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

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Subject(s)
    • Social sciences
      • Ethnology
        • Costume & National dress
          • Costume-Great Britain
            • Costume-Scotland
              • Scottish Highland Dress
    • Places
      • Europe
        • Great Britain
          • Scotland
            • Aberdeenshire [Scotland]
              • Balmoral Estate [Aberdeenshire]