Image: A view across the River Thames of Paul’s Wharf and St Paul’s Pier from Bankside, George Washington Wilson, 1860 to 1900. (c) Historic England Archive. Janette Rosing Collection.
8,000 rare photographs documenting England’s built heritage and landscapes during a period of industrial change acquired by Historic England through the Acceptance in Lieu scheme.
Historic England has acquired the Janette Rosing Collection, a significant archive of early landscape and architectural photography.
Comprising over 8,000 original black-and-white photographs, it documents built heritage, maritime history, and landscapes during a period of industrial and urban development during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
HIstoric England said Rosing was a renowned photographic consultant, connoisseur, and collector, “a trusted advisor to collectors, overseas dealers and institutions regarding photographs offered in London salerooms.”
The acquisition was facilitated through the UK Government’s Acceptance in Lieu scheme, administered by Arts Council England. This program enables cultural assets to be donated to public institutions in exchange for a tax reduction.
Since arriving at the Historic England Archive, the collection has undergone a conservation assessment, with further cataloguing and digitisation planned.
Future fundraising efforts aim to support the full digitisation of the collection, expanding public access to these historic images.
Ian Savage, Collections Manager at Historic England said Rosing’s collection “will continue to connect us with our history and inspire future generations to appreciate England’s rich cultural legacy.”
Duncan Wilson, the organisation’s Chief Executive, said of Rosing’s collection: ”The scale and rarity of her collection makes this archive of images of great national significance”.
