Pencils of Light
About Pencils of Light
Photos taken from two albums of the Edinburgh Calotype Club, the first photographic club in the world, are among the earliest photograph albums in the world ever assembled. They were taken by a group of pioneering Scottish photographers working in Edinburgh and St. Andrews.
Introduction to Pencils of Light
Curators from the National Library of Scotland introduce the collection of old photographs taken by members of the Edinburgh Calotype Club in the mid 1800s.
Castle of St Elmo, Naples
The Castle of St Elmo looking the bay of Naples. This calotype was taken by James Dunlop (1830-1858) while on holiday. He was an army officer who had served in the Battle of Crimea.
Sir David Brewster
Sir David Brewster (1781-1868) was a good friend of William Henry Fox Talbot, the inventor of the calotype. A distinguished scientist in his own right, he was particularly interested in the study of light. He has been credited as the inventor of the kaleidoscope.
Hut in Gnarkeet, Australia
Kitchen hut, Gnarkeet Station, Port Phillip, Australia. This was a squatting run of 28290 acres, located 100 miles west of Melbourne owned by Robert Tennent and Charles Hugh Lyon (1825-1905) from 1844 to 1853. This picture was taken by Tennent, with a camera constructed out of a cigar box, and with the lens of a telescope.
Miss Julia Playfair, St. Andrews
A calotype taken by Hugh Lyon Playfair of his daughter Julia, probably taken in their garden at St Andrews.
Hugh Lyon Playfair at the cello
Major Hugh Lyon Playfair (1786-1861), seated with a cello. After serving in the army in India, he returned to St Andrews and became its Provost. He was also an accomplished musician.
Bear Gates, Traquair House
Calotype of the Bear Gates at Traquair House, Peebleshire taken by James Francis Montgomery (1818-1897). According to tradition, the Bear Gates at Traquair will only be opened when the Stuart monarchy is restored.
View the photos in detail
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