THE OUTRAGEOUS LADY – BARBARA CARTLAND, HERTFORDSHIRE 1976 | EXCLUSIVE LIMITED EDITION PHOTOGRAPH

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An exclusive limited edition photograph by Photojournalist Arthur Steel.

Barbara Cartland photographed with a large selection of her books.

Arthur recalls:
“I had read that Barbara Cartland was celebrating the fact that she had published a vast number of books and I thought that this would make a lovely feature within the National Newspapers.

Mobile Phones weren’t in circulation back then and I’d arranged to photograph Barbara at her country pile. On arrival, to my surprise, Barbara opened the door sporting a swollen black eye. “Arthur” she said, “I’m so sorry but I’ve been calling your office all morning, I’m afraid that we’ll have to postpone our photoshoot as some stupid person left a garden rake on the lawn and I’ve stepped on it! It’s given me this awful black eye! I’m sorry Arthur but you’ll just have to come back another time”. Well, what could I do? I turned around and headed back down to London without a picture.

A short while later we were on the telephone to one another re-scheduling the photoshoot. She mentioned that she’d been photographed by many high profile Photographers, one of which was Norman Parkinson. “Arthur, whenever Parkinson photographs me he always brings along lots and lots of lighting, do you think you could do the same?” I knew that she could be tricky, so naturally I obliged, I can only think that she wanted to be wrinkle free in the pictures.

Her country house was called Camfield Place, near Hatfield in Hertfordshire and on my second visit she answered the door wearing a two piece tweed suit. Well, there was a picture before me and I immediately commented how wonderful it was to see her looking so relaxed and suggested that we do a shot of her wearing it. “Oh no!” she said laughing, I can’t be seen in this, now why don’t you set up in the library while I get changed into one of my frocks?”

To make Barbara feel at ease, I set up lots of photographic lighting, just as she had requested. She was incredibly bossy during the photoshoot but it seemed to go very well.

Afterwards, she ushered me into her dining room where she’d arranged a small Tea Party. Her butler brought us tea and a large plate of giant meringue’s. Not the easiest of foods to consume when you’re trying to hold a conversation with someone as sharp as Barbara. During the Tea Party not only did she let it slip that she didn’t find men with beards remotely attractive but one of my sticky meringue’s collapsed in my hand, onto my knee and landed onto the carpet, much to the delight of her Pekinese puppies.

I’d shot all of the pictures on 35mm film and you had to wait until the film was processed and contacted before you could review the pictures, so out of courtesy, the next day I sent Barbara some contact sheets for her perusal and heard nothing back. About a week later, I was sitting at home in my kitchen when the phone rang, Barbara had tracked me down on my day off, “Arthur, I’ve got the pictures and I don’t like them. You must NOT publish these pictures.” “But Barbara”, I said, “it’s too late, the pictures have been syndicated around the world.”

With that, Barbara screeched down the phone, ‘IN WHICH CASE, YOU’LL BE THE LAST PHOTOGRAPHER WHO’LL EVER PHOTOGRAPH ME!!’ – And slammed the phone down.”

✓ Exceptionally rare limited edition photograph.
✓ Direct from the photographer Arthur Steel.
✓ Non licensable images.
✓ Printed by Metro Imaging.
✓ Hand signed by Arthur Steel.
✓ Video of Arthur Steel signing your print(s).
✓ Certificate of Authenticity.
✓ Free worldwide delivery.
✓ Tracked & signed for delivery.
✓ Paypal Pro protection.
✓ Secure SSL payment protection.
✓ 14 day money back guarantee.
✓ Excellent customer care and service.

Black & White Film Grain:
Arthur’s photographs were all captured on 35mm film, a fast medium grain film called ‘Kodak Tri-x Pan’ with an ISO speed of 400. It enabled photojournalists at the time to shoot in relatively low light conditions. Nowadays, we are used to grainless images even at an iso of 800 and above. The grain effect adds to the character and charm of the images and dates the pieces accordingly. Arthur’s images cannot to be compared to todays grainless digital technology.

Signed prints Vs. Unsigned prints:
Most artists sign their prints at the bottom right corner of the piece. By signing a print, the artist approves it, and, claims it as his or her own work. Signatures count for a lot on the print market since they add to the artwork’s authenticity. The value of a signed print is higher than the value of an unsigned print, so if you have a choice, it’s always better to acquire signed prints.

Limited editions Vs. Open editions:
As a rule limited edition prints are valued more highly and therefore are priced higher than the readily available open edition prints. Also, limited edition prints are collectible, which is not the case for open edition prints. Due to their scarcity, limited edition prints are prized, and collectors and art lovers will seek to create a collection of the same.

Image unearthed: November 2022
Camera: 
Leica 35mm.
Film stock:
 Kodak Tri-X Pan.
Location: Hertfordshire.
Year: 1975.
Collection: Gold.
Print Type: Fibre-based Harman Galerie FB Digital.
Printed by: Metro Imaging.
Limited Editions:
All prints are limited editions, no further prints are produced once sold.
60″ prints / edition of 5
50″ prints / edition of 10
40″ prints / edition of 20
30″ prints / edition of 30
20″ prints / edition of 30
12″ prints / edition of 30
Bespoke: All prints are bespoke and printed to order.
Presentation: 12 and 20 inch prints are titled, numbered, signed and carefully enfolded in acid free tissue paper, supplied flat in an acid free 4mm 3-ply box for delivery and storage purposes. The boxes are ideal for gift wrapping. The larger 30, 40 and 50 inch prints are also titled, numbered, signed and carefully enfolded in acid free tissue paper and inserted into a rigid 4mm thick protective cardboard tube for delivery.
Optional Dry Mounting for clients within the UK: Professional Dry Mounting of the larger print sizes can be arranged at no extra cost, the print would then be perfectly flat and ready for framing. However, this makes the overall size bulky and too fragile to send overseas. So, if you reside abroad, it is best that we send a rolled print directly to your chosen framer and you entrust them to carry out the works for you. We recommend that you check that your framer is fully insured as we cannot take responsibility for any damages that may occur during the mounting/framing process.
Delivery: Metro Imaging based in Central London use an experienced shipping service to deliver the boxed and rolled prints. Metro take great care in ensuring the print(s) are very well protected and efficiently delivered anywhere in the UK or overseas. Acid free tissue paper protects prints from scratching/creasing. Metro also offer a vast array of delivery options to suit the recipient’s preference.
Certificate of Authenticity: Each print acquired from The Arthur Steel Archive is accompanied by an individually signed Certificate of Authenticity.
Video of Authenticity: Newly printed bespoke prints are further authenticated by way of a short personalised video. Arthur Steel mentions your name on the recording prior to signing. For example, Arthur will say something like: “I’m signing this print of a ‘The Outrageous lady’, edition number 2/20 for Mr. Smith in New York.” For your records, the footage is then sent to you via email.
Watermark: Watermarks will not be present on an original print.
Copyright: © Arthur Steel / The Arthur Steel Archive.