OT PHOTO: Abraham Brothers.



R

Richard G.

Guest
Found a reference to a book called Camera on the Crags, which contains
pictures taken by the Abraham brothers, just wondering if anyone owns or has
seen a copy and would care to offer any comments on the quality? Also are
there any more sources for their photographs, particularly in books? I've
read that they wrote several which included their photographs, but I've not
had much luck tracking them down.

I know there are loads of their pictures on the walls of the Wasdale Head
Inn and I seem to remember that there are some at George Fishers in Keswick,
being the former studio of the brothers. Also found the website of Armitt
(http://fp.armitt.plus.com/index.htm), but have never visited, anyone know
if they have a permanent display of photo's here? Worth a visit?

What about Abbott Hall in Kendal, again found mention of them possesing some
photo's, but can't find any reference on the website? And some suggestion
that Keswick Museum have some of their pictures too. Anyone visited either
of these and can shed any light on their collections?

Or are there any other, permanent or otherwise, exhibitions or galleries of
their pictures anywhere in and around the Lakes or elsewhere? Anyone know
where all the glass negatives are? I seem to remember reading something
about the RPS having some, are they accessible to the general public?

Any clues or leads would be appreciated.

Regards,
Richard G.
 
Richard G. wrote:
> Found a reference to a book called Camera on the Crags, which contains
> pictures taken by the Abraham brothers, just wondering if anyone owns
> or has seen a copy and would care to offer any comments on the
> quality? Also are there any more sources for their photographs,
> particularly in books? I've read that they wrote several which
> included their photographs, but I've not had much luck tracking them
> down.
>


There are some of their photos here.

http://www.bookshop-thelakes.co.uk/index.htm





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On Mon, 06 Dec 2004 22:09:12 +0000, Richard G. <[email protected]>
wrote:

>Also are
>there any more sources for their photographs, particularly in books? I've
>read that they wrote several which included their photographs, but I've not
>had much luck tracking them down.


Have a search on www.bookfinder.com - lots there, but be prepared for
some surprises when you see how much some of them cost, particularly
the Wales and Skye guides! A few titles regularly come up at
affordable prices though.

A few years ago I nearly got some original glass slides of their
pictures but was outbid in the auction - which saved me the expense of
finding a way of projecting them!

S.
--
York Alpine Club - http://www.yorkalpineclub.org.uk
Recent Photos - http://climbing.me.uk
Old Photos - http://www.simon-caldwell.co.uk
My Brother's Photos - http://www.caldwellcreations.co.uk
 
Richard G. <[email protected]> writes:

>Found a reference to a book called Camera on the Crags, which contains
>pictures taken by the Abraham brothers, just wondering if anyone owns or has
>seen a copy and would care to offer any comments on the quality?


Lots of excellent photographs of mountain climbing from the old days
of pipes clenched in heroically whiskered mouths, plus fours, hemp
ropes, nailed boots, and a few courageous ladies climbing in long ankle
length skirts.

Not all the photographs are of mountain climbing. In properly
authentic fashion some of them show climbers pioneering routes up the
walls of bed & breakfast and bothy.
--
Chris Malcolm [email protected] +44 (0)131 651 3445 DoD #205
IPAB, Informatics, JCMB, King's Buildings, Edinburgh, EH9 3JZ, UK
[http://www.dai.ed.ac.uk/homes/cam/]
 
Richard G. <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:

> Found a reference to a book called Camera on the Crags, which contains
> pictures taken by the Abraham brothers, just wondering if anyone owns
> or has seen a copy and would care to offer any comments on the quality?


I have a copy. It's a large-format book and most of the pictures are close
to full-page, so the excellent detail afforded by these old glass-plate negs
can be appreciated. There are 30 or so pages of introduction and background,
then the rest is taken up with photographs and a decent commentary on (the
content of each.

Definitely worth tracking down if you are interested in the Abraham
brothers' work.

Stuart
 
"Richard G." <[email protected]> wrote > Found a reference to a book
called
>Camera on the Crags, which contains
> pictures taken by the Abraham brothers, just wondering if anyone

owns or has
> seen a copy and would care to offer any comments on the quality?

Also are
> there any more sources for their photographs, particularly in books?

I've
> read that they wrote several which included their photographs, but

I've not
> had much luck tracking them down.


Camera on the Crags was first published in 1975, a revised edition in
1979 and an enlarged edition in 1990. The enlarged edition includes
all the pictures in the earlier editions but also contains 40 pictures
taken in the European Alps and Dolomites.
The photos were selected and the text written by Alan Hankinson

The classic books to look out for are:

Rock Climbing in the English Lake District by O.G. Jones
Rock Climbing in Skye by A.P. Abraham
Rock Climbing in North Wales by G.D. Abraham

All include photos by the Abrahams. They are much sought after by
collectors and therefore expensive (several hundred pounds).

G.D. Abraham was the author of several other books on mountaineering.

Probably the most extensive collection of their plates is owned by
the Fell and Rock Climbing Club. The club celebrates its centenary
in 2006 so there may be an exhibition then.

Tony Simpkins
http://www.mountainlakesbooks.co.uk
 
In Article <[email protected]>,Stuart Mann
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Definitely worth tracking down if you are interested in the Abraham
>brothers' work.


OK, thanks guys.
I have found one available online, but the price was putting me off a bit
(£60), I'll give it some more thought.

Regards,
Richard G.
 
In Article <[email protected]>,"Tony Simpkins"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Rock Climbing in the English Lake District by O.G. Jones
>Rock Climbing in Skye by A.P. Abraham
>Rock Climbing in North Wales by G.D. Abraham


Thanks Tony, good info. I take it you don't have any at the moment then?!
Do you see them very often?

>All include photos by the Abrahams. They are much sought after by
>collectors and therefore expensive (several hundred pounds).


Would you say £60 for Camera on the Crags was a good deal then?

>Probably the most extensive collection of their plates is owned by
>the Fell and Rock Climbing Club.


So do you know if these are just locked up somewhere or can you get to see
them at all?

>The club celebrates its centenary
>in 2006 so there may be an exhibition then.


Thanks, I'll keep an eye on their website for info.

Regards,
Richard G.