PHOTOGRAPH ALBUM

4to, 40 original mounted albumen photographs, several of which full-plate (measuring from 110 x 80 up to 200 x 284 mm), mostly with captions in ink on the mounts, and four mounted pen and ink drawings of the interior of the yacht Medea; occasional light spotting to mounts; contemporary green half morocco over cloth-covered boards by Stockley of Bond Street, covers and spine ruled in gilt, front cover lettered in gilt with the initials M. A. C.; extremities a little rubbed.

Fascinating album belonging to Mary Amelia Coulthurst (1839-1892) of Gargrave House, West Riding of Yorkshire, providing a photographic record of the travels in the family yacht Medea with her husband John, probably collected soon after their marriage in February 1870.

Evidently a woman of some wealth, the album begins with four finely executed pen and ink sketches of the interior of the yacht, showing the saloon and her private cabin. The photographic views are almost entirely of the West Coast and Welsh harbour towns and landscapes, such as Milford Haven (2), Fowey (6), Ilfracombe (4), Llanberis Pass (3), Capel Curig and the Snowdon Horseshoe, Beaumaris (4), and River Conway. Perhaps most notable in the album are the two full-plate photos showing the most famous Victorian British ship, the Brunel-designed Great Eastern, when she was laid up a Milford Haven between 1872 and 1884. You get a real sense of the enormous size of the ship, which is towering over the buildings of the town and all the other vessels in the harbour. Also included is a small photo showing another work by Brunel, the stunning Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash, built in 1859.

We have been able to find little information on Mr and Mrs. Coulthurst and their 70 ton schooner' Medea, apart from that it was in dock for repair in Dartmouth harbour in 1877. Nevertheless, a fascinating and unusual item, providing an interesting glimpse in to the early use of photography to record holidays and places of interest.