Original carte de visite (CDV) memorial portrait of the English hymn writer and poet Frances Ridley Havergal, printed below the image "The Late Frances Ridley Havergal. Elliott & Fry. Copyright. 55, Baker St." She is shown seated in a dark buttoned dress with a lace collar, working at a basket of needlework. The card measures about 2.7 x 4.3 inches. Condition is good for its age, with light foxing and a few small spots on the mount and back.

The back carries the studio imprint, Elliott & Fry, 55 Baker Street, Portman Square, London W., beneath a royal coat of arms, and an ink inscription that reads "E. C. Young / with C. M. James's love / 6/9/79". The date could mean 6 September 1879 in the British style or June 9, 1879; either way it falls just after Havergal's death on 3 June 1879, which fits the "The Late" caption. The handwritten names are my best reading of the script.

Havergal wrote "Take My Life and Let It Be" and many other hymns still sung today. A fine piece for hymnology, church history and Victorian photography collections.

This comes from the same family collection as other antique photographs listed separately in our store.