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A Village Lost and Found
Based on 30 years of research, Brian May's painstaking excavation of exquisite stereo photographs from the dawn of photography transports readers to the lost world of an Oxfordshire village of the 1850s. At the book's heart is a reproduction of T. R. Williams' 1856 series of stereo photographs, "Scenes In Our Village." Using the viewer supplied with this book, the reader can become absorbed in a village idyll of the early Victorian era: the subjects seem to be on the point of suddenly bursting back into life and continuing with their daily rounds. The book is also something of a detective story, as the village itself was only identified in 2003 as Hinton Waldrist in Oxfordshire, and the authors' research constantly reveals further clues about the society of those distant times, historic photographic techniques, and the life of the enigmatic Williams himself, who appears, Hitchcock-like, from time to time in his own photographs.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
About the author
Brian May
87 books125 followersBrian Harold May, CBE (born 19 July 1947) is a British musician and astrophysicist most widely known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Queen.
As a guitarist he uses his home built guitar, "Red Special", and has composed hits such as "Now I'm Here", "Tie Your Mother Down", "We Will Rock You", "Who Wants to Live Forever", "Hammer to Fall", "Save Me", "Fat Bottomed Girls", "I Want It All" and "Too Much Love Will Kill You".
May earned a PhD in astrophysics in 2007 and is currently the chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University.
He was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 for "services to the music industry".
In 2005, a Planet Rock poll saw May voted the 7th greatest guitarist of all time. He was ranked 39th in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time", reflecting the magazine's editorial opinion.
As a guitarist he uses his home built guitar, "Red Special", and has composed hits such as "Now I'm Here", "Tie Your Mother Down", "We Will Rock You", "Who Wants to Live Forever", "Hammer to Fall", "Save Me", "Fat Bottomed Girls", "I Want It All" and "Too Much Love Will Kill You".
May earned a PhD in astrophysics in 2007 and is currently the chancellor of Liverpool John Moores University.
He was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 for "services to the music industry".
In 2005, a Planet Rock poll saw May voted the 7th greatest guitarist of all time. He was ranked 39th in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time", reflecting the magazine's editorial opinion.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 12, 2015
This is probably the most expensive book I've ever bought, but equally it has to be one of the most amazing - and completely worth every penny.
I'm pretty much obsessed with old photographs and also with Social history, especially anything to do with the Victorians, so I'm always going to love this. But it is all so beautifully and cleverly done.
The 'pack' contains a gorgeous book packed full of the 3D stereo pictures of TR Williams dating from the 1850's, many beautifully tinted. The pictures are all taken in and around a small Oxfordshire village and whilst they look natural it is clear many are posed with props.
The accompanying stereoscope is the magical piece of equipment that brings everything alive - well designed, very easy to use and adjustable.
The pictures sprang into 3D life instantly for me although it does say you may need to adjust your eyes and the stereoscope to get the best results.
I've had this book some time now and I often think I'll just have a 5 or 10 minute look at it - and before I know it an hour has flown past. Can't recommend highly enough.
I'm pretty much obsessed with old photographs and also with Social history, especially anything to do with the Victorians, so I'm always going to love this. But it is all so beautifully and cleverly done.
The 'pack' contains a gorgeous book packed full of the 3D stereo pictures of TR Williams dating from the 1850's, many beautifully tinted. The pictures are all taken in and around a small Oxfordshire village and whilst they look natural it is clear many are posed with props.
The accompanying stereoscope is the magical piece of equipment that brings everything alive - well designed, very easy to use and adjustable.
The pictures sprang into 3D life instantly for me although it does say you may need to adjust your eyes and the stereoscope to get the best results.
I've had this book some time now and I often think I'll just have a 5 or 10 minute look at it - and before I know it an hour has flown past. Can't recommend highly enough.
December 26, 2013
This is an amazing book on several levels; first because it is very well written, second because of the scholarship it embeds, third because it is an interesting slice of British history, and fourth because it contains a stereo photograph viewer and wonderful pictures of the village and its people.
March 31, 2020
A lovely surprise!
I ordered this book online thinking it would be a nice way to spend a winter afternoon, and got a surprise when I received a very large package. It is actually a boxed set of an oversized hardcover book (about 32 by 24 cm) as well as a sturdy plastic stereoscope, which was like an early ViewMaster. Inside the book, each of the large tinted photos is accompanied by a set of stereoscopic pictures which, when viewed together, provide you with a sort of Magic Eye 3D effect. The photos show a lovely little English town and nearby farms, and show architectural details, and a number of people and their clothing styles, at their daily tasks. This book and stereoscope would make a wonderful gift set for anyone who loves old photos and is interested in 19th century England.
I ordered this book online thinking it would be a nice way to spend a winter afternoon, and got a surprise when I received a very large package. It is actually a boxed set of an oversized hardcover book (about 32 by 24 cm) as well as a sturdy plastic stereoscope, which was like an early ViewMaster. Inside the book, each of the large tinted photos is accompanied by a set of stereoscopic pictures which, when viewed together, provide you with a sort of Magic Eye 3D effect. The photos show a lovely little English town and nearby farms, and show architectural details, and a number of people and their clothing styles, at their daily tasks. This book and stereoscope would make a wonderful gift set for anyone who loves old photos and is interested in 19th century England.
October 27, 2021
What a treasure. For anyone who loves "real" history of daily lives...Seeing glimpses of small everyday activities as they were this book is for you. Those who love Historybounding can get no better glimpse of real clothing than looking at the pictures of real clothing...but...ADD 3-D. Yes indeed, stereoscopic views of village life bring the time into stunning relief. See the folds of the clothes, the curve of the lines, the daily world of a time gone by. An absolute must for any history lover, photography lover or anyone who just likes to see cool 3-D pictures lovingly rescued and preserved.
April 19, 2023
Mr. Williams was obviously an incredible photographer. These are some beautiful photos and the hand-tinted ones are just incredible. Congrats, too, to the authors for the detective work that found all of the pictures in this set. Sounds like the search in some cases went worldwide. It is an incredible work about 19th century photography which I have an interest in. I don't usually collect stereo photographs. Somebody seems to have already collected all the good ones. You authors wouldn't know anything about this? But I enjoyed this book immensely because I learned so much about stereo photography in the early days of any kind of photography.
June 26, 2019
Loved this book. For people with an interest in the Victorian era and/or photography this is a superb book. The stereoscopic pictures bring Victorian daily village life to startlingly clear detail. One is sucked into the scenes as if one is present, I found some of them breathtaking.
The text is mostly interesting although some of the detail of how catalogued images relate to each other may not hold interest for some.
The text is mostly interesting although some of the detail of how catalogued images relate to each other may not hold interest for some.
August 10, 2022
The quality of the photos is unremarkable. They are the typical sentimental shots of that era.
February 26, 2011
Some time ago I was listening to the WMMR morning radio show, with Preston & Steve, and I heard about a presentation being held in Center City, at the main branch for the Library of Philadelphia in Philly, and I decided to attend. Something that I barely new about (Most of what I knew about 3-D picture cards I discovered that very morning listening to Preston & Steve in their interview with Brian May.), a world that I had previously known next to nothing about, was opened up for me. And I was astonished by the beauty and the mystery of what I had found...
I met some interesting ppl as well. The authors Brian May and photographic historian Elena Vidal, who were kind enough to sign every copy presented to them. WMMR late-morning radio DJ, Pierre Robert also attended; he is an interesting fellow to behold, no doubt.
It's like a big coffee table book! Nice and heavy, it is a treasure to page threw and will be priceless in my collection of books for years to come.
I met some interesting ppl as well. The authors Brian May and photographic historian Elena Vidal, who were kind enough to sign every copy presented to them. WMMR late-morning radio DJ, Pierre Robert also attended; he is an interesting fellow to behold, no doubt.
It's like a big coffee table book! Nice and heavy, it is a treasure to page threw and will be priceless in my collection of books for years to come.
given
July 10, 2011daddy, birthday 2010
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May 1, 2017Frances Lincoln (2009)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews