National Photographic Record: prints by Godfrey Argent, 1967-70
788 Portraits in set
The National Photographic Record began in 1917, during the First World War, at the instigation of Walter Stoneman, the chief photographer for the long established firm of Russell & Sons. A selected range of eminent people of the day were invited to make an appointment to sit at Stoneman's studio and from each sitting a mounted print was added to the NPR. Reproduction fees from the publication of any of these photographs were shared between the photographer and the National Portrait Gallery. The collection was made for record purposes only, with no intention of the results being exhibited. Despite controversy caused by working exclusively with one selected photographer, the collection of postcard-sized prints of eminent people of the day grew over the years to an archive of over 10,000 subjects. Each year approximately 200 new subjects were added to an alphabetical sequence now housed in 436 boxes and viewable by appointment. Stoneman was succeeded, on his retirement and death, by Walter Bird (active 1958-1967), and then by Godfrey Argent (active 1967-1970). In addition, the Gallery also holds approximately 10,000 NPR whole- and half-plate glass negatives taken between 1917 and 1958, arranged chronologically, which consist of up to five alternative poses taken at the NPR sitting.
by Godfrey Argent
modern bromide print from original negative, 1966
NPG x165813
Morys George Lyndhurst Bruce, 4th Baron Aberdare
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 13 December 1967
NPG x163390
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 13 December 1967
NPG x163400
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 2 November 1967
NPG x164001
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 8 December 1967
NPG x165185
Sir (Francis) James Bowes-Lyon
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 17 November 1967
NPG x165404
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 23 November 1967
NPG x165450
Sir Alexander Grigor ('Alick') Jeans
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 13 December 1967
NPG x165999
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 4 December 1967
NPG x4740
Sir Patrick Reginald Evelyn Browne
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 22 November 1967
NPG x4741
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 1 November 1967
NPG x21932
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 1 November 1967
NPG x7021
Annie Patricia Llewellyn-Davies, Baroness Llewellyn-Davies of Hastoe
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 24 November 1967
NPG x166125
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 9 November 1967
NPG x17227
Denis Herbert Howell, Baron Howell
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 7 December 1967
NPG x18603
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 24 November 1967
NPG x18683
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 22 November 1967
NPG x12108
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 23 November 1967
NPG x18687
William Godfrey Fothergill Jackson
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 2 November 1967
NPG x166126
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 16 November 1967
NPG x19120