FRITH, Francis (British, 1822-1898)

[Advertising] [Cover Title] Views of London

n.p. [but Australia]: Bonnington's Carrageen or Irish Moss, n.d. [c. 1895]. Suite of Frith's views of London landmarks, including St. Paul's Cathedral, London Bridge, Houses of Parliament, and Piccadilly Circus. Sixteen tissue-guarded original carbon prints after Frith mounted onto heavy card (recto only) and bound into original red pebbled faux leather album (230 x 305 mm) stamped in gilt, each mount with pasted text extolling the virtues of Bonnington's Carrageen Irish Moss. Images (147 x 201mm) titled in the negative, and most numbered and initialed F.F. & Co. End papers, tissue guards, and mount margins spotted, but photographs fresh and free of foxing. Near Fine+. Item #BB2203

An unusual and scarce repurposing of Francis Frith's images, intended as medical advertising for the Australasian market. Founded in 1856 in Reigate, Surrey, Francis Frith & Co. was the world's first specialist photography publisher. Frith began photographing Britain and its monuments in 1864, and became the first mass-producer and distributor of photographic images in England. Bonnington's Irish Moss (otherwise known as Pectoral oxymel of Carrageen) is a dark brown syrupy mixture of vinegar and an extract of seaweed (carrageen), sweetened with honey. It's inventor, Australian-born chemist George Bonnington (1837-1901), concocted the remedy in the 1850s for coughs, colds, asthma, influenza, and bronchitis. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).

Price: $274.00