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Set of 24 Early Photographs of Incidents in the Crimean War

1855-1856

Camp du 97th Regiment Anglais

1855
An albumen print photograph of his photographic van, taken by Roger Fenton in 1855. In 1854 Fenton bought a former wine-merchant's van and converted it into a mobile darkroom. That autumn he travelled around Britain testing the suitability of the van. In February 1855, Fenton, together with his van and his assistant, Marcus Sparling, set sail for the Crimea. Sparling is the figure shown seated at the front of the van.

Roger Fenton's Photographic Van

1855
An albumen print photograph entitled 'Cantiniere', taken by Roger Fenton in 1855. Cantinieres were attached to every French regiment. They were often the wives of soldiers and managed canteens as well as selling additional rations. Each carried a small barrel of brandy from which they sold tots to the troops. Their dress followed closely that of their regiment. This cantiniere was attached to a zouave regiment and wore baggy trousers beneath her coat. Fenton's problems using wet collodion plates in the field are well documented. This image shows how difficult it was to keep the sticky collodion emulsion 'pure': the dark spot on the tarpaulin left of her head shows where it has been snagged.

Cantiniere

1855
An albumen print photograph entitled 'Two Sergeants of the 4th Light Dragoons', taken by Roger Fenton in 1855. This photograph was taken as a result of commission from the British Government and the publisher Thomas Agnew, for Fenton to record the progress and conditions of the Crimean War.

Two Sergeants of the 4th Light Dragoons

1855
Albumen print entitled 'The Valley of the Shadow of Death' by Roger Fenton, 1855.

The Valley of the Shadow of Death

1855
An albumen print photograph entitled 'Omar Pasha' (1806-1871), taken by Roger Fenton in 1855.

Omar Pasha

1855
Photograph of the transit instrument of the Nicolaieff Observatory, Crimea in Russia, 1876.

Photograph of the transit instrument of the Nicolaieff Observatory

1876