SNAPSHOTS of bygone Oxford go under the hammer tomorrow, giving collectors a unique chance to own a piece of the city’s past.
Rare lantern slides of Oxford’s buildings and traditions, by pioneering Victorian photographer Henry Taunt, are up for auction at Mallams in the city.
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Landmarks include Magdalen College, the Martyrs Memorial, University Church of St Mary the Virgin and The George Inn in Botley.
The estimate is just £50-80. The auction takes place online.
Henry Taunt’s Oxford slide entitled ‘Merrie England Procession to the Theatre’. Pictures of slides by Marc West
Taunt, who was born in St Ebbe’s in 1842, was a leading local photographer and documenter of city life. On his death he left behind more than 53,000 photographic glass negatives, but some were either used for greenhouse glass or smashed. Others were sold to the then-Oxford City Librarian.
Henry Taunt's Oxford slides for auction at Mallams. Picture by Marc West
Mallams director Rupert Fogden said: “These wonderful slides give a fascinating insight into Oxford’s past. Many of the buildings are, of course, unchanged, but the people in the pictures give a clue to their age and that’s what makes them such a valuable historical record of social history.”
Go to mallams.co.uk
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