Courtship in 3D
[STEREOGRAPH.]
James ELLIOTT, photographer. ‘The first Love Letter’ [and] ‘Difference of Opinion’. London, 1860s.
Three pairs of albumen prints in stereo format, each c. 78 x 65 mm, arched tops, hand-tinted, mounted on card (c. 84 x 173 mm), 2 of 3 with printed title, credit, and ‘Entered at Stationers’ Hall’ to versos, the other with ‘J. Elliott’ credit in blind to lower left corner; central crease to ‘Difference of Opinion'.
Three hand-tinted albumen prints in stereo format featuring elaborate historical costumes, depicting the early stages of courtship and a lovers’ tiff.
In ‘The first Love Letter’, a young man hides behind a curtain to read a love letter, whilst two ladies sit nearby: one (presumably the author of the letter) peers behind the curtain, whilst her lady-in-waiting is absorbed in a book. In the second image, hoping to take advantage of the chaperone’s absence, the young man declares his love. They are discovered, however, by the lady-in-waiting, and the couple’s bliss is not long-lived: ‘Difference of Opinion’ depicts the pair glaring at one another from chairs facing in opposite directions, a suit of armour placed menacingly behind them and the young man’s sword in the foreground.
The London-based photographer James Elliott (b. 1833?), active in the 1860s, operated simultaneously from 9 Albany Court Yard and 48 Piccadilly. Many of his hand-tinted stereo cards – likewise featuring colourful historical dress and detailed sets – are held at the V&A.