James Graham Calotype Collection

Collection

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

James Graham's photographs, in many ways, provide a more accurate account of the personal journey of the traveller - unhindered by notions of commercial and even artistic success. The attribution of 62 calotype negatives depicting Naples, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast and Capri is a major discovery for the BSR and provides a vivid account of the amateur photographer operating in the initial phases of Photography. Also 3 salted paper prints by the same author, depicting Paestum, are part of the collection.

Reference number

PA-JG

Dates

1858 - 1864

Creator

Graham, James, 1806-1869 (Scottish missionary and photographer) (Photographer, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The physical items from the James Graham Collection are accessible by appointment with the archivist.

Biographical / Historical

James Graham was born in Scotland in 1806. Formerly a banker, he became the Honorary Secretary of the Anglican Mission in Jerusalem, known as The London Jews Society. Graham worked in Jerusalem as a missionary from 1853 and took up photography for religious purposes becoming the first resident photographer in Jerusalem. Graham's work is extremely rare since he never became a commercial photographer.

He is known to have travelled to Syria, Rhodes, Egypt and Italy between 1858 and 1864, where he took photographs of Naples, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast and Capri.

Extent

62 Calotype negatives (in 1 box)

3 Photographic Prints (in box 4, Early Photographers Collection)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Set of 62 calotypes depicting the Bay of Naples, Capri Island and the Amalfi Coast taken by Reverend James Graham (1806-1869), Scottish missionary and photographer. Also 3 salted paper prints by the same author, depicting Paestum, are part of the collection.

Physical Location

The James Graham Collection is located in the New basement (Photographic Archive, cupboard n. 11).

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This set of calotypes was discovered by Jill Franklin, Archivist at the BSR between 1981 and 1982, and was then examined and studied by Professor Alistair Crawford between 1982 and 1997. It seems plausible that the collection was acquired by the BSR through Thomas Ashby, BSR Director from 1906 to 1925, thanks to his longstanding friendship with Agnes (1856-1940) and Dora (1864-1948) Bulwer, who spent the early years of their life in Naples. Their acquaintance with James Graham has not be proven but it is most likely that they had the opportunity to meet in Naples amongst the circle of people belonging to the anglo-american community.