[G. Anthony Beales, 'The Celebrated Photographer'.] Eight display and advertising items, printed by Cheney & Sons of Banbury, including one large and one small display board, a booklet ('Anthony Beales & Co., Artists in Photography'), handbills.

Beales, also a sign painter and picture framer, was a successful and prolific photographer (he boasts on two of the items below of '3,400 Testimonials'), whose Parade Studio was at 5 South Bar, Banbury, from 1888 to 1911, with a secondary business at the County Studio, George Row, Northampton at around the same time. Beales claimed the Royal patronage of both Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales, and aimed at the upper end of the market. Seven of the eight items in good condition, lightly-aged, but Item Four with minor damage (see description). Four items (Two, Four, Six and Eight) giving the Banbury address, and two (One and Five) with the Northampton one; the address not stated on the other two items. ONE: Booklet giving Beales' address as 'County Studio, George Row, Northampton. The title reads: 'Practical Portrait, Landscape, Group, and Architectural Photographers, | Anthony Beales & Co., Artists in Photography. | Productions combining skill with artistic merit.' | Works highly appreciated by H.M. the Queen.' 8pp., landscape 12mo. Stapled pamphlet. Tastefully printed in black and red on cream paper, with decorative margins. Filled with hyperbolic advertisement. The second page states that the firm has 'secured the desirable premises late STAMFORD, SPALDING, & BOSTON BANK, George Row'. The back cover boasts of 'Over 3,400 unsolicted Testimonials, | including Lord North, Lord Willoughby de Broke, Lord Howard, Lord Compton, Lady Saye & Sele, Lady Mostyn, Lady Paulet, Hon. H. Howard, Hon. W. Turner, Hon. W. Fiennes, Hon. Mrs. Alfrey, W. Mewburn, Esq., J.P., D.L., Ven Archdeacon Holbech, Canon Ferger, B.D., Col. Ommanney, Sir B. Samuelson, Bart., M.P., &c., &c.' The last page also this quotation at the head: 'General Sir Henry F. Ponsonby is commanded by the Queen to thank Mr. Anthony Beales for his beautiful photograph to hand, July 15th, 1887.' TWO: Handbill (1p., 8vo). Printed in black and red on laid paper. Headed: 'High-class Photographic Studio, | 5, South Bar Street, Banbury. | Success fully [sic] established. | ANTHONY BEALES | Artist in Photography. | Work highly appreciated by | Her Majesty the Queen | And during the establishment in Banbury by | [23 names in two columns] | Which alone proves Mr. BEALES is not a second-class Photographer, nor is his Studio of the ordinary type. | The accessories are the most artistic procurable. | The scenery from the atelier of our mosts clever artist, - Seavey, New York.' A reference follows to 'the season commencing suddenly', and prices are given. Printers' slug at foot. THREE: Undated handbill ('CHENEY & SONS, PRINTERS, BANBURY.') printed in brown with gold border on 13 x 20 cm piece of blue paper. Headed 'Anthony Beales, | Art Photographer, | System of Business and Terms for Small Work.' Contains the following: 'NOTE. ONLY TERMS - CASH AT THE TIME OF SITTING, | After which a proof is submitted to insure satisfaction, and a re-sitting will always be given if considered necessary; but, in fairness, Mr. Anthony Beales [rest underlined] must decline those sitters wishing him to submit proof till an order has been given and paid for.' The six items are from the archive of Cheney & Sons, 'General, Commercial & Artistic Printers, Banbury'. (John Cheney's calling card describes him as a 'Printer in Gold, Silver, and Colours', with 'Specialities in the best class of work.') For more about the firm see 'John Cheney and his descendants, printers in Banbury since 1767' (1936) and the Victoria County History volume for the County of Oxford, Banbury Hundred. FOUR: Handbill, printed in red and gold on one side of a piece of 21.5 x 27.5 cm light-blue paper. With slight damage to bottom two corners. Regarding his 'Speciality: Platinotype Cabinet Portraits', Beales boasts of 'Photography up to date.' and 'Without doubt the future photograph amongst the art public.' On the right side of the page is a list of seventeen individuals, headed by 'H.M. The Queen', beneath the heading 'Work supplied to and testimonials received from'. At foot: '800 Testimonials.' FIVE: Handbill, printed in brown on piece of 13 x 20.5 cm light-blue paper. In left-hand margin Beales boasts that his firm are 'Photographers to' thirteen individuals including the Queen, and boasts of '3,400 Testimonials'. In the text he offers to 'present a copy free of all charge', 'With a view of introducing the class of work as executed at the County Studio, George Row, Northampton'. SIX: Large display board, printed in large type in gold on one side of 24 x 29cm black card: 'G. ANTHONY BEALES, | Art Photographer, | from Spalding. | [short decorative rule] | Patronised by Royalty. | [short decorative rule.' | Private Studio, 5, South Bar Street.' SEVEN: Display card, printed in black on one side of 11 x 16.5 cm lavender card. A tasteful piece of signage, with decorative rules at head and foot. Reads: 'This Style of High-Class Photographs | Cards, | All Positions, | 6/- | per doz. No extra for children. | Note. - Every Sitter is photographed by Mr. ANTHONY BEALES, either for his 6/-- or 8/6 Photographs. An artistic and pleasing Portrait, highly finished, is guaranteed.' EIGHT: Card (7.5 x 11.5 cm) from 5 South Bar, Banbury. Printed on both sides, for 'Anthony Beales, | The Celebrated | Photographer.' Boasts of 'Views supplied to the Queen.' One side of the card lists the names of ten 'Patrons', from Lord North to Hon Mrs. Alfrey.