Collection: Flaxman Spurrell Photograph Album

Description

The collection comprises an album of photographs mainly relating to locations in North Kent. Flaxman Charles John Spurrell was an archaeologist, photographer, antiquary and geologist and the album reflects all of these interests. The album includes an early view of Eltham Palace.

The album illustrates Spurrell's particular interest in architecture, both church and secular, geology and archaeology. There are only a few personal photographs of family groups and private houses.

Some of the photographs are of special interest as they show church interiors both before and after restoration.

There are 37 photographs of the excavation of Darenth Villa, a highly significant site as it is one of the largest villa complexes in the country. These important photographs bear pencil annotations on the reverse but most have been stuck down on all four corners. There are occasional descriptions of photographic processes (page 74 waxed paper, page 55 use of Magnesium light). There is a partial index on the fly leaf. Only a small number of the photographs are annotated as having been taken by Spurrell himself, and a few give the name of the photographer.

A full handlist, appendix to the handlist and place name index are available. The 'Captions' noted on the handlist are literal transcription of Spurrell's annotations whereas 'Comments' have been added by cataloguer.

Archival History

The collection was acquired by the NMR in 2002.

Flaxman Charles Spurrell (1842 - 1915). He was elected a member of the Society of Antiquaries in 1899 and resigned in 1910. He was author of many articles in Arch.Cantiana and is presumably the same Spurrell associated with Flinders Petrie and who is known for his geological activites, some of the photographs indicate this geological interest - for example see page 3 of album.

Content

This Collection contains the following materials:

Photograph (Print): 247

Photograph Album: 1

Rights

Source: Historic England Archive