An enlarged example of this extremely rare work, probably unique in this format
[Batchelder & Co., publisher, the anonymous introduction probably by James Smith], The Lambert Album, Comprising Thirty-Two Character Portraits of Mr J.C. Lambert, Photographed at the Establishment of Batchelder & Co. (Batchelder & Co., Melbourne, 1866)
Quarto, title in black and red, introduction (uncredited), list of portraits, and thirty-three albumen portraits of Lambert (each 9.5 x 6cm) mounted on nine card leaves with tissue guards, the first alone as frontispiece (with Lambert in day dress), the others of him in character in various roles in groups of four, original red half morocco and cloth with gilt title to the front and gilt-decorated spine, a.e.g.
Estimate $2,000 - $4,000
It appears the present lot, apparently unrecorded, is one of only four known examples of this work – one of the earliest photographically illustrated books produced in Australia – and the only one with this number of portraits, double the number otherwise known, albeit mounted with smaller prints than those in other examples.
In his copy of the work, James Smith (1820–1910), the prominent Melbourne art critic who is believed to have written its anonymous introduction, recorded his understanding that only three copies were produced, these with sixteen portraits. The three other copies known are in the collections of the Mitchell Library, Sydney (James Smith's copy), the State Library of Victoria, Melbourne, and the Baillieu Library, University of Melbourne.
Decorative Arts
AUCTION
Sale: LJ8826
6:00pm - 16 November 2026
Hawthorn
VIEWING
Fri 13 - Sun 15 November, 11am - 5pm
2 Oxley Rd, Hawthorn VIC
CONTACT
Chiara Curcio
decorativearts@leonardjoel.com.au
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