PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROYALTY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21671, 15 June 1932, Page 11

PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROYALTY

AN INTERESTING COLLECTION PROCEEDS IN AID OF HOSPITALS The skill of several members of British and European Royal Families as amateur photographers is demonstrated in a striking exhibition which; was opened at. the Ltd., yesterday afternoon. The fact that members of the British Royal Family themselves arc the subjects of several of the -photographs gives special interest to the collection, which covers a wide range of scenes and topics. The exhibition consists of a large number of enlargements made by Kodak, Ltd., in London, from negatives loaned by royalty, and it has been displayed in different parts of the world during the past year. No charge is made for admission, but an attractive programme is sold. Seventy-live per cent, of the proceeds will be devoted to the'' Montecillo Home for Disabled Soldiers, and 2 5 per cent, will be reserved for the King Edward Hospital Fund in London. Eleven royal photographers are represented in the collection. They include Queen Alexandra, the Duke of York, Princess Mary, Princess Victoria, Prince Arthur of Connaught, Princess Arthur of Connaught, the Queen of Denmark, the Queen of the Belgians, Prince Gustav of Denmark, Princess Helena of Denmark, and the Duchess of Aosta. While the informal studies of royalty will probably be the chief centres of interest, there are many arresting pictures which were obtained during travels in many lands. The exhibition was formally opened yesterday by the Mayor (Air R. S. Black), who said that the object was one which would appeal to everyone under whose notice it came. He could not think of an object which would more readily commend itself to the public. He congratulated the Kodak Company on the attractive manner in which the exhibits were presented. The Rev. V. G. Bryan King spoke on behalf of the Red Cross Society, Mr P. L. Halsted on behalf of the manager and directors of the D.1.C., and Mr L. 11. Beardsley on behalf of the Kodak Company. Studies of Queen Alexandra are among the most interesting in the collection. There are photographs of the present King, King Edward, and the Prince of Wales as a midshipman, but. landscapes as well as portraits are included. ■ The Duke of York’s work is represented by only four photographs, Imt they are sufficient to show that he has made a very close study of the hobby. His delightful snapshot of Princess Elizabeth in a garden of lilies is one of the gems of the collection. His artistic skill is also shown in a photograph of the Queen, and he has contributed, in addition, two striking pictures showing the stern beauty of Glamis Castle His interest in the exhibition is revealed by the fact that he has allowed to be included professional portraits of the Duchess of Y'ork and Princess Elizabeth as well as of himself. Princess Mary’s photographs of her parents are widely known, and she has contributed to this collection one of particular interest. Views of Goldsborough Hall and several pictures taken during her travels in Egypt are also shown. Princess Victoria’s work is represented by some fine Italian studies. The largest contributors are Prince and Princess Arthur of Connaught. Their pictures disclose their enthusiasm for travel and big game' hunting, and their photographs have been chosen from collections made in South Africa, India, and Japan. Striking pictures of the Taj Mahal are worthy of special attention. The contributions made by members of the Danish Royal Family cover a very wide range. There are some excellent portraits, and the other pictures have been taken during extensive travels. Most of the photographs which the Duchess of Aosta has provided were taken in Africa, the selection of studies being extremely wide The exhibition is supplemented by a number of photograph,- taken by Captain Frank Hurley during the last expedition to the Antarctic by Sir Douglas Mawson. They show the natural life of the region as well as its majestic beauty. The exhibition, which will be open daily, is certain to attract wide interest and to be greatly admired.