Odd Antique Image for the Day: An Autochrome of Edward VII

Silver-Framed Autochrome of Edward VII
The Royal Collection

As I do each Friday, I’d like to present another unusual image from The Royal Collection. This one is not unusual because of its subject matter, but rather its presentation. Patented in 1903 by the famed Lumière brothers of France, autochrome was the very first color photography process and remained the standard until the 1930’s. Here, we have an autochrome image of King Edward VII who reigned from 1901 until 1910, following the death of his mother, Queen Victoria.

What’s special about this (aside from being a beautiful representative of early color photography) is the frame. Housed in a wedge-shaped silver frame, the autochrome faces upward so that it will filter light from above. The image is then seen, in reverse, reflected in a mirror on bottom of the frame. It’s pure Edwardian cleverness! This was presented to the King as a gift in 1909 and is now part of the Royal Collection.