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In the Valley of Glendalough, County of Wicklow, Ireland
Label on the back reads, 'By that lake whose gloomy shore Skylarks never warble o'er'. Among all the gems contained in the Emerald Isle "the Glen of the Two Lakes" may be justly esteemed as the first, for here is to be found an unequalled grouping of nearly all of Ireland's characteristic and peculiar charms. An ancient round tower, the date of erection of which is lost in the mists of antiquity; the ruins of the "Severn Churches" comprising the Priory, The 'Cathedral', St. Kevin's Kitchen, Our Lady's Church, The Rhefert Church, or the "Burial-place of Kings," where the tomb of the renowned King O'Tool is still shown to visitors, The Ivy Church, and Teampul-na-skelleg. Most of these ruins exhibit traces of elaborate sculpture, the architecture being of an early date. The "City of Glendalough" as it was anciently called, owes its origins to St. Kevin, who died June 3rd 619. At the extreme end of the valley, above the Upper Lake, are situated the Luganure lead mines, which are well worth a visit, and from the heights above which a magnificent view of the surrounding scenery can be obtained. Near the entrance to the valley, the visitor will find ample accommodation with every comfort and civility at the Royal Hotel.'
Photographer unknown, c1865
Stereoscopic albumen print, (left frame)
published by the London Stereoscopic Company (attributed)

 Contents

2.6 Labelling Stereo Photographs

The stereo photograph can be analysed as a number of constituent parts, the most obvious being the two photographic prints and the card mount. They often had labels pasted on to the front or back with the name of the photographer or the subject of the photograph. Sometimes extensive descriptive information was also provided. Before 1855 stereo photographs seldom bore labels. Although many professional photographers and publishers issued cards bearing their names, unlabelled works were produced by ‘pirate’ copyists as well as by amateurs.

In Russell Sedgfield’s stereo photograph of ‘Nant Mill, North Wales’ he has attached a label describing the location of the image, and also its number in a series, ‘261’. These numbers can be helpful in giving an approximate date of when the image was taken compared with other images in the series. It also provides a clue to how many other photographs may have been taken of similar subjects by the individual photographer. This photograph also bears a blind stamp, ‘Sedgfield’s Welsh Scenery’, on the right of the card. While the blind stamp can sometimes provide a clue to the photographer or publisher of a stereo card some labels have distinctive borders or lettering that can aid identification. One such is the London Stereoscopic Company's late 1850s stereo views on brown card. These often have a distinctive patterned border.

Nant Mill, North Wales
Nant Mill, North Wales
Photographed by Russell Sedgfield, c1860, no. 261
Stereoscopic albumen print, published by Russell Sedgfield
Macleay Museum, Historic Photograph Collection, 820560167