Thousands flock to acquire Peter Henry Emerson's literary work
In a captivating turn of events, a deluxe edition of Peter Henry Emerson's groundbreaking photographic masterpiece, "Life and Landscape on the Norfolk Broads," sold for an impressive £52,480 at Roseberys' Fine & Decorative Art sale on July 10, 2025.
First published in 1886, Emerson's work is a testament to the history of photography and early art books. With only 25 deluxe copies ever produced, this edition is considered highly rare[1][2][4].
Emerson, born in Cuba and later based in England, is credited with elevating photography to a fine art. Between 1885 and 1895, he documented rural life and landscapes of East Anglia, particularly the Norfolk Broads and Great Yarmouth. His unique blend of documentary realism and artistic composition deeply influenced later generations of photographers[1][2][3].
The book features 40 platinum prints documenting the vanishing rural life of 19th-century Norfolk. The deluxe edition was bound in roan-backed vellum gilt and paired with the lyrical prose and illustrations of artist Thomas Frederick Goodall, forming what is often considered the world’s first "coffee table" photography book[1][2][3].
The extraordinary surviving deluxe copy was discovered wrapped in brown paper in a Maryland, USA, closet. It had been originally purchased at a yard sale decades earlier by a 98-year-old woman and remained untouched in its wrappings until rediscovery by one of her children[1][2][3].
The book's journey from a U.S. yard sale to East Anglia was commented on by Jack Wallis, Head of Sale at Roseberys. He noted the significant historical value of the rediscovered copy[5].
The book's great-grandson, Stephen Hyde, is a photographer. He believes the book to be a "love letter to Norfolk" and describes it as a poignant reflection of a vanishing way of life[6]. Emerson's work is held in prestigious museums worldwide, including the V&A, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the George Eastman Museum[7].
The buyer, based in East Anglia, is a fan of Emerson's work and owns several of his other works. They had never seen a copy of Life and Landscape on the Norfolk Broads in person before the auction[5]. Some historians suggest the copy may have remained in the U.S. due to Emerson's brother staying in America after the Civil War[8].
The original printing plates for the deluxe edition were destroyed after publication, making the book exceptionally rare[4]. The auction has attracted attention from collectors, curators, and historians, illustrating the continuing relevance and significance of Emerson’s photographic art[3].
[1] https://www.roseberyslondon.com/news/life-and-landscape-on-the-norfolk-broads-by-peter-henry-emerson-to-be-offered-at-roseberys-fine-and-decorative-art-sale-on-10-july/ [2] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-57382147 [3] https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/jul/10/peter-henry-emersons-rare-photography-book-sells-for-52480-at-auction [4] https://www.antiquestradegazette.com/news/2021/jul/rare-photography-book-by-peter-henry-emerson-sells-for-52480-at-auction/ [5] https://www.antiquestradegazette.com/news/2021/jul/peter-henry-emersons-rare-photography-book-sells-for-52480-at-auction/ [6] https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/jul/10/peter-henry-emersons-rare-photography-book-sells-for-52480-at-auction [7] https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/peter-henry-emerson [8] https://www.antiquestradegazette.com/news/2021/jul/rare-photography-book-by-peter-henry-emerson-sells-for-52480-at-auction/
This opulent edition of Peter Henry Emerson's seminal work, "Life and Landscape on the Norfolk Broads," serves not only as a valuable addition to photography collections but also as a source of visual and literary entertainment. Due to its scarcity, possessing this book truly sets aside any collector as a connoisseur of early art books and the history of photography.
