Unique Cherry Kearton Archive Set:Signed Lion Attack Photo & Hand-Coloured Slide For Sale

Item Description:

A unique, museum-grade historical archive pair from pioneer wildlife photographer and filmmaker Cherry Kearton, documenting his famous 1909–1910 East African expedition.

The Archive Pair Includes:

• Original Silver Gelatin Press Print (approx. 8\" × 10\"): A vintage monochrome photograph printed directly from Kearton\'s original camera negative, depicting Kearton crouching in tall grass holding up his leather legging torn open by a lion next to his trip-wire flash camera rig.

• Signed Inscription & Hand-Written Provenance: The reverse of the press print features Cherry Kearton’s official green signature stamp, alongside extensive handwritten pencil accounts detailing the 2:00 AM lion charge, the destroyed flashlight apparatus, and the bitten boot top.

Historical Significance:Hand-coloured lantern slides showing Kearton himself in the field—paired with a signed, contemporary press print documenting an active lion attack—are exceptionally rare. This set offers direct, verifiable provenance from the Kearton family archive.

Condition:The glass slide is clean and fully intact with original black paper binding tape and strong hand-applied colour. The press print is in sound vintage condition with clear contrast, minor age-related handling marks, and completely legible handwritten annotations.