An original 19th-century albumen portrait of Sir Stafford Henry Northcote (1818–1887), one of the leading Conservative statesmen of Victorian Britain. Printed beneath the portrait: “THE RT. HON. SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE, M.P.” together with the photographers' credit: “ELLIOTT & FRY, Copyright, 55 & 56 Baker St. London. W.” Northcote held a succession of senior government offices and became one of the principal figures in the Conservative leadership. Under Benjamin Disraeli's second administration, he served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1874 to 1880, making him one of the senior members of Disraeli's government. Following Disraeli's elevation to the peerage as Earl of Beaconsfield in 1876, Northcote became the government's leading figure in the House of Commons and served as Leader of the House of Commons. He subsequently remained a major figure in the leadership of the Conservative Party. The portrait was produced by Elliott & Fry, one of the best-known Victorian London photographic studios, based in Baker Street and renowned for its portraits of prominent figures in British political, social and cultural life. The reverse bears the elaborate Elliott & Fry Photographers studio imprint, incorporating a royal device and their address at 55 & 56 Baker Street, London W. An attractive large-format Victorian albumen portrait of an important member of Disraeli's government and a leading figure in late 19th-century British Conservative politics.
Auction 01: Auction 01 – Historical Letters, Documents & Autographs — Melis Antiques & Art