Shakespeare's House, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire
Salted paper print, probably by William Russell Sedgfield - 1850s
Shakespeare's House, Stratford upon Avon, by William Russell Sedgefield
This is one of a group of early photographs in the Museum's collection that use William Henry Fox Talbot's calotype process. Talbot set up his ‘Reading Establishment’ in Baker Street, Reading, between 1844 and 1847 - it was one of the world's first photographic studios.
William Russell Sedgfield was born in Wiltshire in 1826, and by the age of sixteen had applied to Talbot for a licence to practise the calotype as an amateur. He went on to become a critically acclaimed photographer. Like many pioneering photographers he had an artistic background, training as an engraver. His acquaintances included the great publishers Francis Frith and Francis Bedford. This print was one of a group owned by Talbot, presumably as part of his licence agreement.
Museum object number