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

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.


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