Library of Birmingham boosted by important 19th Century photography collection (UK)

A collection of rare photographs from the first photography commission for a Royal trip abroad has been purchased by Birmingham Library and Archive Services. Taken by the pioneering British photographer Francis Bedford (1816-1894), they chronicle the 'Tour in the East' made in 1862 by the Prince of Wales, (the late Edward VII). Bedford became the first official photographer to accompany a member of the British Royal Family when he was invited to travel as part of the entourage of the Prince of Wales on a 'Tour In The East' which covered Athens, Corfu, Constantinople, Tripoli, Egypt, Syria and the Holy Land. Birmingham Library and Archive Services has acquired a rare set of the 172 photographs resulting from this tour for £55000 with grants of £32500 from the Art Fund and £15000 from the MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund. The collection will be housed in the Library of Birmingham, currently under construction and due to open in 2013