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

      THOMAS PEARCE (ACTIVE C. 1850S)

      Stag shot by the Prince in the Ditch

      1857

      RCIN 2082990

      Glass plate negative of a stag head, from a stag shot by Prince Albert (1819-61), positioned on top of a wooden box, facing towards the left. The wooden box is positioned in front of a stone wall. Stag shot at Balmoral on 5 October 1857.

      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 2117008.

      • Creator(s)

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

      • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

      • Subject(s)
        • Natural Sciences & Mathematics
          • Zoology
            • Animals
              • Mammals
                • Deer
                  • Red deer
                    • Stags (male deer)
        • Science, Medicine and Technology
          • Agriculture and related techniques
            • Animal husbandry
              • Field sports (hunting, shooting, stalking)
                • Hunting methods
                  • Stalking
      PreviousNext
      PreviousNext