Glass plate discoveries to go on display outside Priaulx Library

This year’s images are taken from glass plates found earlier this year when library staff were cleaning, preserving, and cataloguing its collection.

‘The 600 plates that we have catalogued so far cover a wide range of subjects, including St Peter Port harbour, diving competitions at La Vallette, a Guernseyman’s experience of the 2nd Boer War and images of 1930s’ Guernsey, and provide a record of local events and celebrations,’ said Priaulx Library chief librarian Sue Laker.

The process of creating images from glass plates was showcased in the recent Renoir exhibition as local photographer Paul Chambers had used the process to recreate some of Renoir’s.

‘Paul has then photographed some of the library’s glass plates and we will share information in the exhibition on our collection and the process of preserving it,’ said Miss Laker.

‘We have been incredibly lucky with the condition of some of the plates, especially when some are people’s holiday photos and have just been stored in attics for years.

It’s lovely to be able to put them on display and we are incredibly grateful to Ravenscroft for its continuing support of the exhibition.’

This is the 11th time Ravenscroft has sponsored the exhibition, which is running until early September.

Ravenscroft managing director of investments Mark Bousfield said the exhibition had become a firm fixture in the library’s calendar.

‘The Priaulx Library team always finds something different to put on display,’ he said.

‘Being able to put on public display some of the library’s treasures is something we are delighted to be able to support and we look forward to seeing the complete exhibition when it is opened.’

It is free to attend and previous exhibitions attracted thousands of visitors.

This year, QR codes have been added to the boards to encourage visitors to make a donation towards the ongoing work of the Priaulx Library.