Francis Bedford collection

Between 1843 and 1849 Bedford frequently exhibited at the Royal Academy. In the 1850s he produced numerous publications featuring his work including two Photographic Albums, 1855-1856 The Treasury of Ornamental Art, 1858; and The Sunbeam, 1859. By 1861 he had been elected Vice-President of the London Photographic Society.

In 1862 Bedford became the first official photographer to accompany a member of the British Royal Family when he was invited to travel as part of the entourage of the Prince of Wales on a ‘Tour In The East’ which covered Athens, Corfu, Constantinople, Tripoli, Egypt, Syria and the Holy Land.

The collection contains 2700 glass negatives and 2049 prints, mostly architectural and topographical views of Great Britain c1870-1880. Many of these were taken for the Archaeological Section of the Birmingham and Midland Institute and can be cross-referenced with their catalogue. Also some 500 half-plate glass negatives of architectural and historical subjects.