Guy Little Theatrical Photograph

Sam Cowell is portrayed in character, emphasizing his stage persona through costume and prop. The pose, though stiff due to early photographic constraints, serves as publicity, reflecting the practice of actors promoting themselves through such images.

The photograph is an albumen print from a glass negative, mounted on stiff card backing (though now removed). The plain backdrop focuses attention on Cowell's costume, a typical choice for theatrical 'cartes de visite' to ensure the subject's attire was the focal point.

Originally part of a 'carte de visite', this photograph was later mounted in an album by collector Guy Tristram Little. It was bequeathed to the Victoria and Albert Museum as part of Little's collection, linking it to the museum's Theatre Collections, initially formed from Mrs. Gabrielle Enthoven's theatrical collection.

Produced during the heyday of 'cartes de visite' (patented in 1854, popular in the 1860s), this photograph reflects Victorian fascination with photography as a novel medium for collecting portraits of celebrities, landscapes, and art. These small prints were often collected in albums or exchanged like early postcards.

As part of the V&A's collection, the photograph contributes to the historical record of Victorian theatrical practices and the evolution of photographic technology. It also illustrates the collecting habits of the era, with 'cartes de visite' playing a significant role in popularizing photography among the general public.