Robert Browning (1812–1889) — original late‑19th‑century photogravure produced by the noted London photoengraving firm Annan & Swan, specialists in high‑quality gravure reproduction. This is a true photogravure, printed from an intaglio plate, with a clear plate impression visible around the image — the shallow rectangular indentation characteristic of genuine gravure printing.

The portrait derives from the celebrated photographic sittings by Herbert Rose Barraud, widely reproduced in deluxe literary editions of the 1880s–1890s. Annan & Swan were among the foremost firms entrusted with producing fine gravure plates from Barraud’s negatives, and their imprint appears here exactly as expected: “Photogravure by Annan & Swan” printed in the plate beneath the image.

The sheet is the original gravure paper, lightly textured and cream‑toned, with natural edges visible. Beneath the plate mark is a later collector’s pencil identification: “Browning”, typical of late‑Victorian and Edwardian collectors who annotated gravure portraits of major literary figures.

A fine example of a genuine Annan & Swan photogravure of Robert Browning, suitable for collectors of Victorian literary portraiture, photogravure processes, or Barraud‑related material.

Provenance: 

One of c.2,500+ items once from the collection or dealer stock of Winifred A Myers (Autographs) Ltd, St Martins Lane, London, evidenced by the quantity of Myers pre-printed envelopes and paper folders and the general ‘presentation’ of the items, many having Myers identification notes in pencil. 

Winifred Alice Myers (1909 – 1985) served as ABA (Antiquarian Booksellers Assoc) president, 1950-1952. See the ABA website for an extended article on Myers. Myers left her business, in 1985, to Ruth Shepherd, who traded from home until 2004. 

Robert Browning (May 1812 – Dec 1889) was an English poet and playwright whose dramatic monologues put him high among the Victorian poets. He was noted for irony, characterisation, dark humour, social commentary, historical settings and challenging vocabulary and syntax.