Cartes de visite are small-format photographs-usually portraits, but not always that were introduced into the UK market in the closing days of 1859 and quickly became wildly popular. They're called cartes de visite because they were similar in size to visiting cards of the period.
People sat for their portraits, ordered one or two dozen copies, and then exchanged them with their friends and extended family. Once compiled into albums, they were prominently displayed in the home for visitors to peruse, assess and discuss.
They caught on quickly, particularly once Queen Victoria had herself and her family photographed in the new format and made the portraits available for public consumption. A market for celebrity portraits quickly developed and people could collect their heroes, whether that be authors, actresses, politicians, courtesans, trapeze artists, or simply the local vicar.
The initial frenzy only lasted about five years, but the format remained available until the end of the century, and even a bit later in some countries. In Germany, I don't think they entirely disappeared until the 1920s.
When I lived in London, my flat was just behind Alfies Antique Market. One day in 2001, while I was mooching around in there, I came across a small album of photographs. I knew a little about the history of photography, but I'd never heard of cartes de visite.
I had no frame of reference, but I thought the album was expensive and didn't buy it. I then went away on holiday and, while I was away, I found myself thinking about one of the portraits in the album. When I arrived back home, I went into Alfies and bought the album.
ãã®èšäºã¯ Homes & Antiques ã® July 2024 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã9,000 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã ?  ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
ãã®èšäºã¯ Homes & Antiques ã® July 2024 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã9,000 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã? ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
Lisa Coppin
The Cotswold Companyâs chief creative officer shares the pieces that mean so much to her
TRAVEL
Six of the best pineta, plus a festive trip to Covent Garden. Review of The Orange, Belgravia by Katie Pike, travel stories
OLD SHEFFIELD PLATE
Stumbled upon by chance, this ingenious material was a more affordable option than solid silver, and well-preserved examples are particularly desirable today
Merrily on high
Summoning servants since the 1700s, bell boards create instant English country-house style (even if you don't have any servants). Emma Longstaff dons her pinny
Let it snow
Nostalgic, magical and highly collectable, snow globes are curious objects of wonder that never fail to instil joy
Velvet Crush
Once the preserve of the wealthy, velvet finally touched all levels of society, thanks to advances in its production process
Celebrating in the Stable
Antiques dealer Julia von HÃŒlsen specialises in Gustavian pieces - all of which look perfectly placed in her German home
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Victorian toy theatres charming and exquisitely designed miniature worlds have inspired theatre royalty for decades. Today, the tradition is being kept alive by a small but talented network of makers
NICHOLAS LEES
The ceramic artist talks to Dominique Corlett about new ways of working with clay and blurring the edges of solid objects
Candy CHRISTMAS
Pastel hues, vintage decorations and bowls of sweet treats: the festive run-up is gloriously joyful at Bettina FÊrgeman's historic Copenhagen apartment, where there's an emphasis on entertaining...