Dodgson, Charles Lutwidge [i.e. Lewis Carroll]

[Dodgson, Charles Lutwidge- EXCEEDINGLY RARE: ORIGINAL ALBUMEN PRINT] ORIGINAL ALBUMEN OF THE ROSSETTI FAMILY TAKEN BY LEWIS CARROLL, OCTOBER, 7, 1863

166-173 (h) x 222mm, i.e. very slightly trapezoidal. Original albumen photograph. This famous photograph is one of a series of photographs taken of the Rossetti family by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, (i.e. Lewis Carroll), in the garden of Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s house in Cheyne Walk on 7 October 1863. On verso, written in the hand of Helen Angeli Rossetti, daughter of William Michael Rossetti: “Photograph taken by Ch. L. Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) [sic] in the Cheyne Walk Garden, c. 1865? Probably 1863 (Autumn).” The composition, arranged by Carroll and subsequently photographed and printed by Carroll, shows the Rossetti’s in their garden, from left to right: Christina G. Rossetti, Maria Francesca Rossetti, Frances Livinia Rossetti and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the latter two seated at a table playing chess. Of a similar print, Christina Rossetti wrote, describing the day “the author of Wonderland photographed us in the garden”: “It was our aim to appear in the full family group of five; but whilst various others succeeded, that particular negative was spoilt by a shower, and I possess a solitary print taken from it in which we appear as if splashed by ink” (quoted by Mackenzie Bell, Christina Rossetti [London, 1898]. From Jaqueline Banerjee, “Morton Cohen explains that in early October 1863 Dodgson was staying with the sculptor Alexander Munro, who took him to see the Rossettis. Dante Gabriel was “most hospitable in his offers of the use of house and garden for picture-taking” (Cohen 240) and he was able to take two pictures of Christina, and one of Rossetti himself. Dodgson wrote in his Diary “I afterwards looked through a huge volume of drawings, some of which l am to photograph ó a great treat, as I had never seen such exquisite drawing before. I dined with Mr. Rossetti, and spent some of the evening there.... A memorable day” (qtd. in Cohen 240). He returned the next day and photographed the whole family, subsequently photographing Rossetti’s drawings and one of his models. The contact with the Rossettis proved useful, introducing him to Swinburne and others. Rossetti looks relaxed and genial in this portrait, which gives a flavor of the pleasant visit.” Edward Wakeling (“The Photographs of Lewis Carroll, A Catalog Raisonne”) describes the photographs by Carroll taken at the Rossettis, with a census of those found, listing only five, of which only one is the full image our example, the others being either vignette prints, and one without Christina Rossetti. Provenance: this photograph originally the property of William Michael Rossetti, and then by descent to his daughter, Helen Rossetti Angeli (who inscribed the verso), and given to William E. Fredeman in 1963. Of great rarity and importance. Indeed, no similar quality original Lewis Carroll photograph of the Rossettis has sold ion the open market in recent memory.

Price: $75,000.00   Item #3977