Brown, Barnes & Bell

Overview: 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 beauty...

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: 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]'." Faust...