Sixteen "Platinogram" Views of London (Robey's Series)

London: T.F. Robey, 1890. Very Good. 16 black-and-white collotype views loose, as issued, in a light green envelope. Title from envelope. "Robey's Series" -- on envelope and on each image. Thomas F. Robey was a photographer active in London beginning in the 1890s. From about 1894 to about 1905 he was also active as a commercial photographer and printer with Eustace Curzon. They were among many photographers producing platinotypes, or platinum prints, around the turn of the century. "Platinogram" was the name given by Robey to these images made from platinotypes. As listed on the envelope the views are: The Tower Bridge, Tower of London, London Bridge, Royal Exchange, St. Paul's (West Front), Embankment, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Rotten Row, Piccadilly Circus, Albert Hall, Albert Memorial, Crystal Palace, Trafalgar Square, Ludgate Circus, and the Great Wheel. There is no date of publication, but the images appear to be from the 1890s. The detail in the street scenes is particularly impressive. There are no motorized vehicles in any of the scenes. Oval stationers label on front of envelope: Rowsell & Son, Cheapside. In Very Good Condition: minor creasing at a few corners; loss of corners on two images; clean and bright. Envelope is in Good- Condition: separated into two sections; chipping along edges; minor loss at corners. Extremely scarce -- no other copies of these "Platinogram" views have been located.