Each photograph is a professionally taken shot of one machine tool manufactured by Sharp, Stewart & Co of Manchester, whose name can clearly be seen on the machine. The photographs date from about 1860. Embossed stamps on some of the prints show that at least some (and probably all) the photographs were in the possession of Henry Chapman, Engineer based in Paris. There are two addresses stamped on the prints, 27 Boulevart Des Italiens and 41 Boulevart Malesherbes. The photographs may have been taken by Sharp Stewart and sent on to Chapman to be used as promotional material. There is a handwritten listing of the machines (in French) which appears to be date from the same time as the photographs.