The Francis Frith & Co. Archive by Francis Frith

The archives of Francis Frith, a pioneer photographer, from the busines he founded at Reigate in 1860.

Details

Category:
Topographical
Art Fund grant:
£4,000 ( Total: £302,250)
Acquired in:
1986
Vendor:
Photographic Collections UK Ltd

They comprise 316,000 negatives and 3,000 prints prior to 1886, as well as other associated materials. The subject matter includes some foreign views but it is primarily seaside resorts, towns, villages and beauty spots in England, suitable material for tourists to buy on holiday (from 1894 in the form of postcards). Includes 'Norman Arch, Furness Abbey', circa 1865 which is illustrated here.

Provenance

Frith's sons; A G Sargent and his sons; Rothams bought the archive when the business shut down; John Buck; Derek Wilson.

Venue details

Birmingham Central Library Chamberlain Square, Birmingham West Midlands B3 3HQ 0121 303 4511 www.birmingham.gov.uk/libraries

Entry details

Free entry to all
Free exhibitions to all

Mon – Fri, 10am – 6pm
Sat, 9am – 5pm

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