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Glass plate negatives

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

WILSON & HAY (ACTIVE 1853-55)

The sons of John Grant, The Prince's Head Forester at Balmoral

9 - 9 Oct 1854

RCIN 2083784

Glass plate negative of a full length group portrait of the sons of John Grant. They are all posed in front of a wooden fence and wear Scottish costume. The group comprises John (1842-82); James (1846-81) and Alexander (b. 1844). The middle child, James, is seated on a stone, flanked by his two standing siblings. Photograph taken at Balmoral.

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 2800711.

  • Creator(s)

    Wilson & Hay (active 1853-55) (photographer)

    Subject(s)

    James Anderson Grant (1846-81)
    Alexander Grant (1844-1939)
    John Grant (1842-82)
  • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Subject(s)
    • Social sciences
      • Ethnology
        • Costume & National dress
          • Costume-Great Britain
            • Costume-Scotland
              • Scottish Highland Dress
    • People
      • Children
      • Boys
    • Places
      • Europe
        • Great Britain
          • Scotland
            • Aberdeenshire [Scotland]
              • Balmoral Estate [Aberdeenshire]
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
          • negatives
            • glass plate negatives