This website presents our knowledge and research on this important aspect of the Royal Collection. As of April 2026 it will not be regularly updated and new research on this topic will sit within the main website.

Glass plate negatives

Albert and Victoria’s collection of glass plate negatives show photographers’ working methods

WILLIAM BAMBRIDGE (1819-79)

Sylvia

1867

RCIN 2082620

Glass plate negative of Sylvia, described as Queen Victoria's 'German Dachs dog'. The dog is positioned against a brick wall at the Royal Kennels, Windsor. Sylvia was born in 1865 and given by Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar in the same year. 

The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed. A print from this negative (RCIN 2105641) can be found in an album belonging to Queen Victoria.

  • Creator(s)

    William Bambridge (1819-79) (photographer)

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert

  • Subject(s)
    • Science, Medicine and Technology
      • Agriculture and related techniques
        • Animal husbandry
          • Dogs
    • Places
      • Europe
        • Great Britain
          • England
            • Berkshire [England]
              • Windsor [Berkshire]
                • Windsor Home Park
                  • Royal Kennels [Windsor]
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs
          • negatives
            • glass plate negatives