An original albumen print photograph dating to around 1880, in carte de visite format, approx. 60 x 100 mm, with wet-stamped caption on the front of the mount: "BABY TOM, THE MOST WONDERFUL SWIMMER IN THE WORLD". No photographer or publisher is indicated (the reverse is blank).

I believe the young sitter is possibly TOMMY BURNS (1868-1897), the celebrity swimmer, diver and all-round athlete from Liverpool in the UK, who was a prodigious swimmer and diver from an early age. Today he is best remembered for his many daredevil diving feats - and his tragic death in 1897 that resulted from one of these "thrill dives". 

I cannot find any other example of this photograph on the internet, and a search for the wording on the printed caption also throws up absolutely nothing.

The print is in good condition but it has some pinkish discoloration in the negative.

Shipping to UK, USA or Europe: $22 AUD by EMS with tracking.

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