Jervaulx Abbey

Today’s stereo by James Edward Ellam (1857-1920) taken from a recently-discovered cache of his work is the last that boasts a “J.E. Ellam” sticker on its verso.

Reflecting his passion for stereographing religious buildings, it features Jervaulx Abbey in North Yorkshire, one of the largest privately-owned Cistercian buildings in England.

“Jervaulx Abbey” by J.E. Ellam. © Author’s collection.
Verso of “Jervaulx Abbey” by J.E. Ellam. © Author’s collection.

Owned by the Burdon family since 1971, its ruins are only around 30 miles from Yarm where James lived from around 1890 to 1896 when he left the town.

As a stereo, it is particularly successful.

The large tree along with the fence and post in the immediate foreground help provide depth and lead the eye to the River Ure with its gently-sloping banks.

This acts as the visual prelude to the abbey ruins in the distance and the buildings to its left, visible through the undergrowth.

Though it’s hard to be certain, the ground appears to be covered in frost or a light dusting of snow suggesting a wintery excursion to this location.

From this point, the attribution of the remaining 14 cards in this series to “J.E. Ellam” involves detective work that I look forward to sharing.

Tomorrow: “Chapel Royal, Holyrood.”

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