Julia Margaret Cameron

albumen print, on a gilt-ruled Colnaghi mount, signed, titled, annotated 'from life,' and inscribed 'For the Signor from J M Cameron' in ink and with the Colnaghi blindstamp on the mount, framed, 1867 (Cox & Ford 513)

Likely Martin Gordon Inc., 3 May 1976, Lot 283

Acquired by the present owner from Harry Lunn, 1978

Grading this albumen print on a scale of 1 to 10--a 10 being an albumen print with deep brown dark tones and highlights that retain all of their original detail--this print rates a solid 9. Comparing this photograph to others by Cameron, this is a strong print, and the edges of the photograph do not appear faded. In raking light, silvering is visible in the dark areas of the image. Various long and short surface scratches and scuffs are visible. In the lower left quadrant, there are a few tiny-to-small white matte deposits of indeterminate nature. None of the above mentioned issue in any way detract from overall superb print quality. The front and reverse of the mount are heavily soiled, and exhibit age-appropriate darkening at the periphery. The mount corners are bumped, and the lower left corner is creased, which resulted in a tear to the upper paper-ply. There is a 1/2-inch tear at the lower mount edge, adjacent to, but not effecting, the inscription. There are 2 small abrasions to the right mount edge. On the reverse of the mount, the number '744-K' is in an unidentified hand in pencil.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The print offered here is inscribed to Victorian painter George Frederick Watts (1817-1904), whom Cameron called the 'Signor.'  A longtime family friend who lived for two decades with Cameron's sister and brother-in-law, Watts was a constant in Cameron's life as a trusted artistic mentor, model, and close confident.  In an album of photographs Cameron presented to Watts in 1864, she passionately wrote, 'To the Signor to whose generosity I owe the choicest fruits of his Immortal genius I offer these my first success in my mortal but yet divine! art of Photography.'

In Julia Margaret Cameron: The Complete Photographs, Julian Cox and Colin Ford locate only 2 other albumen prints and one cabinet card from this negative: The Gernsheim Collection at The University of Texas at Austin; the National Museum of Photography, Film & Television, Bradford, England; and a private collection.  A variant image from this sitting is Cox cat. no. 514.