Expert: Barrie Tumbridge - 11/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: Dear Mr Tumbridge,
  I have a 3d Photograph by Alfred S Campbell dimension          9 in x20 inches....it is printed on bottom left .."patented 1896  and alfred s Campbell ..Elizabeth NJ....It is a portrait og a womanin barefeet in a gown she has dark hair ...hoop earing and a ankle bracelet..I recently was in Florida and saw a huge portait of this same photo....the owner thought the subject was Spanish in origin..Would you help me to identify who this is and the value of this pic whic is framed and encased in glass...it has been in my possession for about 30 years.   Thank You in advance for your time....

ANSWER: I am sorry but it is impossible for me to identify or value something like this. You would need to take it to an auction/valuation expert where you live. Although I know quite a bit about his work, it is as a photographer not a dealer or valuation expert.

Regards
Barrie

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dear Barrie,
  Thank you for your immediate response...if I could bother you once more...I would like to know if he pateneted the 3d photo...I have never seen another....I happen to  love this piece and wasn't planning on selling it but after seeing the painting, I would like to know more about it. I see you live in UK so I am surprised that A.S. Campbell has that notoriety. Can you inform me of any info you have?  Thank you again.
         Sincerely, Barb

Answer
Alfred S Campbell was English, which is why I know a little about him. He did not reach the "fame" he attained in the US because he did most of his work in America. Again it is difficult to know if he patented the 3D you say you have, but he did register patents on many techniques in the US. I would hazard a guess that what you have is not actually 3D because real 3D at that time came in the form of cards, and they came in twos and would be viewed through a viewer that combined them as one. He worked with Celebrities most of the time, although he also illustrated a bible. He was involved in so many things but is best known in the US.

You may find a little more here.

http://campbellartcompany.blogspot.com/

Regards
Barrie

You may also find this useful

http://broadway.cas.sc.edu/index.php?action=showPhotographer&id=33