Size
Date
Country
Artist
Sitter
Case
Mark

1/6
ca 1853-1855
Cheltenham, UK
Richard Lowe
Unknown
Half case
No hallmark

Notes

Unreadable text on the back, possibly the name and location of the sitter.

"R Lowe, Promenade Cheltenham"

Richard Lowe (1813-?) bought "Beard's Photographic Institution in Cheltenham" from the son of Richard Beard, who had bought it after his father had gone bankrupt in 1849. Lowe had first been manager of the studio, before operating it under his own name from 1850 until 1856, when he disappeared.

Lowe, at the age of 43, had suddenly had enough of his life as a photographer. He used his good reputation to buy a gold watch, a plate, and some drapery on credit, for a total of 97 pounds. He boarded a Liverpool steamer and was never seen again.