Genre studies
Albumen print, c. 1870s
7-8/10 (average); 98 x 62 mm, mounted (21 examples)
$4250.

Crawshay was one of the 'Iron Masters of Wales' and was extremely wealthy, taking up photography in the 1860s as an amateur and showing at exhibitions of the Photographic Society. This is a rare collection of 21 carte de visites including genre portraits, probably all by Crawshay. Several have his name, a date or his logo on the verso. In one, Crawshay himself appears with a 'flower girl'.

Harriet and Henrietta as Fishmongers
Albumen print, c. 1870s
7-8/10, angled fading at top edge and some spotting in background area; 230 x 287 mm, mounted
$1850.

Crawshay's best known photographic theme today is the slightly surreal images he took of his wealthy daughters posing as humble fishmongers. 'Harriet and Henrietta' is written in mount under print. Crawshay's signature is on the verso as well as an imprint of the family motto, a drawing of a dog and the word 'Perseverance'.

Young woman in fancy dress
Albumen print, c. 1870s
9/10; 364 x 281 mm, mounted
$2400.

Crawshay was a wealthy amateur contemporary of Julia Margaret Cameron, also favouring allegorical and genre work. He exhibited frequently and was awarded prizes at the Photographic Society in the 1870s. The print is retouched under each eye to give the sitter 'tears'. This is probably a portrait of one of his daughters. Among the titles he chose for such work were 'The Village Belle', 'The Black Diamond', 'Reverie', etc. Mount trimmed but Crawshay's name is signed (?) in ink in lower right