Brown, Barnes & Bell

Abstract:

The collection comprises 147 photographs from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with representative images of Great Britain, South Africa, New Zealand, Madeira, East Asia, and other locations (many unidentified).

Scope and Contents: Portrait of Maude Douglas by Brown, Barnes, and Bell of Liverpool. Image shows Maude in profile, wearing a low-necked white dress or blouse that sits loosely on her shoulders. Her hair is pinned up in an informal way, not stiffly styled, and she has a fringe of curls framing her face. She wears no jewelry. Her lack of adornment, her naturalistic hairstyle and her soft neckline suggest that this photograph was taken perhaps as a performer's 'head-shot,' showcasing her natural features and...

Scope and Contents:

This image and the profile image in the same group appear to have been taken at the same time, as part of a series. The print is dated "April 1892" in graphite on reverse. Maude is shown here in a loose and diaphanous white gown, with open sleeves that drape over her shoulders. Tassels adorn the dress at the arms and one at the waist. She wears no jewelry and her hair is done in a soft, natural, style.

Scope and Contents: Print is inscribed "April 1892" in graphite on reverse. Image shows Maude Douglas wearing a short military costume, consisting of a jacket embroidered with braid and piping and with wide lightweight cuffs, a sword slung across her body, a linked metallic belt with flags or some other military imagery stamped on each panel, a colorful sash, a cap, and gloves. Maude wears only thick pale-colored tights on her legs, with dark shiny boots that rise to mid-calf. She poses in a salute, with one...

Scope and Contents: Preserved in a slip of paper, in an envelope on which is written: "M.D. coloured herself/given me Sunday Oct. 9 1892/the week of her marriage to Mr. Elliott." This is a copy of the same print in which Maude appears saluting, in military costume. The print has been cut into a round-edged rectangle shape, perhaps for framing. On the reverse is part of an inscription from Maude, cut off when the print was resized: "Maude Douglas--'Faust up to [date]'." ...

Scope and Contents:

The second of two portraits taken of Maude in her short military costume. This image shows Maude seated on the wooden table that appears in the other portrait. She appears to hold a cigarette or some other small item in her right hand, between the first two fingers. Image is dated "April 1892" in graphite on reverse.