[ 'Baron', London photographer. ] Twenty-four black and white photographs of his head printer and retoucher Mary Buchanan Owen, with an Autograph Reference by him, signed 'Baron & W Nahum', and genealogical notes by Owen's great-niece Kay Locker.

The collection of 26 items is in fair condition, aged and lightly worn. The 24 black and white photographic prints, of which there are 23 different images and one image duplicated in a smaller size, range in size from 29 x 24.5 cm to 8.5 x 11.5 cm. The pictures are tender and affectionate, in an informal style unusual for Baron. One picture, stamped 'UNRETOUCHED ROUGH PR<...>', shows Owen sitting on Baron's knee, on a wooden bench, the two smiling. The four largest are studies of Owen's smiling face, staring into the camera. Also present are three profile shots of Owen at work, one of them with 'DREAMING OF THEE' scratched onto the plate. There is also a picture of Owen with a young woman (an actress), with 'Teddington Studio | 1940' in pencil on reverse. Several of the images have manuscript notes on the reverse. An image of Owen at her desk has 'May 31st /44 | Swabe's Studio | Grosvenor St'. A small duplicate of one of the largest images has 'Miss Owen | 79 Cowper Rd | W.7'. A portrait of a smiling Owen has 'Teddington Studio | 1940'. An image of Owen standing in the street has 'Shepherds Bush Studios 1947'. A picture of Owen standing outdoors, clutching hands with two other women, has 'A. T. P. Studios | Jan: 1936'. Another street shot has 'Gainsborough July /45'. Six more images show Owen with others, including one scene of what appears to be a society wedding, two at a party or in a pub, and one taken outdoors, seated with a group of ladies, in a crowd. The autograph reference by Baron is 1p., 8vo, and headed 'To whom it may concern'. The first paragraph reads: 'Miss Owen has been in my employ for 4 years, in the capacity of head printer & retoucher. During this period she has proved herself to be a first class technician in all departments of the dark room work. Apart from this - her loyalty, honesty, and devotion to duty have made her an indispensible member of my staff.' He ends in the wish that Owen will remain in his employ 'for as long as we can keep going after my taking up army duties'. He hopes that 'this reference will I hope always be useful to her'.The last item is a page of typed 'NOTES ON PHOTOGRAPHER BARON'S ASSISTANT MARY OWEN', by 'Kay Locker (daughter of Reginald Christopher Wright, and therefore Mary Owen's great niece'. The notes discuss: Name ('Baron seems to have called her affectionately "Missie Owen" or Missie Owenie". Within the family she was known, certainly in later years, as "Tiny" or "Tinie".'), Position, Testimonial, Background. Unsigned manuscript note at foot: '"Baron" archive acquired from Kay Locker May 2014'.