The Camera Series - Liverpool & New Brighton - 1890s

Front Cover, The "Camera" Series: Album of Photo-Lithographic Views of Liverpool and New Brighton, Brown & Rawcliffe 1890s. GGA Image ID # 13033ef1d6

Scarce hardcover booklet, semi-linen with gold embossed cover with extraordinary lithographic images of scenes around Liverpool in the 1890s. Eight astonishingly detailed views of Liverpool and one plate collage of locations around New Brighton.

Title Page, The "Camera" Series Views of The United Kingdom. GGA Image ID # 1303a1818c

St. George's Dock & St. Nicholas Church. GGA Image ID # 1303f268ee

Top: The Port of Liverpool Viewed from the Mersey. © Brown, Barnes, & Bell, Liverpool. Bottom Left: The Overhead Railway. © Priestley & Son, Egremont. Bottom Right: Mersey Tunnel Station. GGA Image ID # 130411adc4

The RMS Campania of the Cunard Line at the Liverpool Landing Stage. © Priestley & Son, Egremont. GGA Image ID # 1304301b3e

The Sailor's Home in Liverpool. GGA Image ID # 13047af93b

The Custom's House in Liverpool. GGA Image ID # 130532e281

View of Church Street in Liverpool. GGA Image ID # 13053fbc09

Scenes Around New Brighton: Mail Steamer, The Pier, The Lighthouse, The Red Noses, and Perch Rock Battery. Photos by Priesley & Sons, Egremont. GGA Image ID # 13055f1e49

Brochure Information

The "Camera" Series: Liverpool & New Brighton – 1890s

A Rare Victorian Photographic Masterpiece

Description

GGA is pleased to present a rare and exquisite artifact from the late Victorian era: The "Camera" Series: Album of Photo-Lithographic Views of Liverpool and New Brighton, published by the renowned Brown & Rawcliffe in the 1890s. This semi-linen hardcover booklet features a gold-embossed cover and a collection of nine breathtaking photo-lithographic plates showcasing the architectural grandeur, bustling port activity, and serene coastal charm of Liverpool and New Brighton during the height of their industrial and maritime significance.

Key Features

• Format: Hardcover booklet, semi-linen binding, with an embossed gold cover.
• Plates: A collection of eight detailed lithographic views of Liverpool and one composite plate showcasing New Brighton landmarks.
• Highlighted Views Include:
  • St. George’s Dock & St. Nicholas Church: A striking depiction of Liverpool’s maritime and religious heritage.
  • Port of Liverpool and Overhead Railway: A collage illustrating the city’s innovative transportation and commercial vitality.
  • RMS Campania of the Cunard Line: An iconic representation of Liverpool’s role as a gateway to the transatlantic world.
  • Sailor’s Home: A beautifully rendered homage to Liverpool’s seafaring community.
  • New Brighton Landmarks: Features Perch Rock Battery, the Lighthouse, and The Red Noses, capturing the charm of this Victorian seaside resort.

Provenance

Published in Liverpool by Brown & Rawcliffe, this album epitomizes the craftsmanship and photographic artistry of the 19th century. This particular copy has been preserved in a private collection for decades, ensuring its exceptional condition and authenticity.

Condition

In very good condition for its age, this booklet exhibits only minor age-related wear. The semi-linen cover retains its structural integrity, with the gold embossing still vibrant. The lithographic plates are pristine, displaying crisp details and rich tonal contrasts, free from foxing or fading.

Historical Significance

This album is a testament to the grandeur of Liverpool’s golden age as a global maritime hub and New Brighton’s popularity as a Victorian seaside retreat. It captures an era of rapid industrial innovation, artistic craftsmanship, and urban growth. The inclusion of RMS Campania, one of Cunard Line’s most celebrated ocean liners, underscores the city’s pivotal role in transatlantic travel and commerce.

As a historical artifact, this booklet bridges the realms of photography, maritime history, and urban studies, making it a compelling snapshot of 19th-century British culture and industry.

Final Conclusion

A masterpiece of Victorian photographic artistry, The "Camera" Series: Liverpool & New Brighton is an exceptional artifact that embodies the cultural and industrial dynamism of 19th-century Britain. Its richly detailed lithographic plates, combined with its impeccable condition, make it a standout piece for discerning collectors of historical ephemera and photographic art.