Bassano, photographic studio, day/sitter books

This collection contains the following volumes:

-The Register, a label on the front of the volume contains the following information: 'No. 1. Piccadilly. 2000 to 7110'. c. 1870-1881.
Contains name of sitter, organised by surname, and negative numbers arranged in columns headed C de V (Carte de Visite), Cabinets, Autos (struck through on each page and 'Not Plated' written in) and Sundries.

-Label on front of the volume contains the following information: 'No. 2. Piccadilly 7110 to 20000.'
Contains name of sitter, organised by surname, and negative numbers arranged in three unheaded columns.

-The Register Old Bond St, Vols 1. 2. 3. 4. From 1877 to 1889, a label on the front of the volume contains the following information: '3, 1000 to 18500'
Thought to be 4 volumes bound together. Contains name of sitter, organised by surname (with Royal sitters listed at the front of each new volume), and negative numbers arranged in columns headed C de V (Carte de Visite), Cabinets, Autos and Sundries.

-The Register Old Bond St (including Pall Mall), Vol. 5. From 1890 to 1893, a label on the front of the volume contains the following information: '4, 20,000 to 23,500'.
Contains name of sitter, organised by surname, and negative numbers arranged in columns headed C de V (Carte de Visite), Cabinets, Autos and Sundries. Despite the label on the front of the volume negative numbers lower than 20,000 can be found in the volume.

-Bassano Register, Old Bond St. Vol. 6. From 1894 to end of 1902, a label on the front of the volume contains the following information: '5'.
Contains name of sitter, organised by surname, and negative numbers arranged in columns headed C de V (Carte de Visite), Cabinets, Panels and Sundries.

Three Registers which have been rebound at an unknown point, all have 'Bassano Negative Register' embossed on the spine. These registers contain an index of sitters with detailed entries being arranged in numerical order. The volumes cover the following number ranges:
-39771 to 41770 (1910-1912)
-61771 to 63770 (1923-1924)
-63771 to 65770 (1924-1925)

Later volumes of the Bassano Company are also held by the archive, these contain an index of sitters with detailed entries being organised in numerical order - the inside covers of the volumes are annotated and included some pasted in press cuttings. The volumes cover the following number ranges:
-111771 to 112780 (1969-1971)
-112781 to 113770 (1971-1972)
-113771 to 115721 (1972-1975)
-115771 to 116770 (1975-1977)
-116771 to 117780 (1977-1980)

Alexander Bassano (1829-1913) opened a studio in the 1850s in Regent Street, London, moving to 25 Bond Street in 1876. The studio was large enough to house an eighty-foot panoramic background scene mounted on rollers, which provided a variety of outdoor or court backgrounds. Bassano photographed many influential Londoners including stars of the arts, politicians and members of the Royal family. Bassano retired in around 1901 the company retained the Bassano name, in 1903 the premises were refurbished and relaunched as Bassano Ltd, Royal Photographers. The firm was resold on many occasions but retained the Bassano name and the studio's collection of negatives. In 1964 it incorporated Vandyk to become first Bassano and Vandyk Studios and then, in 1965, Bassano and Vandyk incorporating Elliott and Fry.

Available to view by appointment in the Heinz Archive and Library Public Study Room, to make an appointment contact Archive Reception . Although records are generally available for public consultation, some information in them, such as personal data or information supplied to the Gallery in confidence, may be restricted.

Some volumes may not be made available for conservation reasons, apply to staff for further details.

Personal photography is permitted for research purposes only. Photocopying is not permitted.