The Bodleian Libraries at the University of Oxford has acquired a rare photographic "daybook" compiled by Roland Haupt, a former darkroom assistant at British Vogue. Created between 1943 and 1949, the annotated scrapbook contains hundreds of original photographs and clippings by legendary photographers Lee Miller and Cecil Beaton. The acquisition, brokered by dealer Michael Hoppen, ensures that the album—which includes iconic images of Miller in Hitler’s bathtub and portraits of Picasso—remains intact as a singular historical record rather than being sold piecemeal at auction.
This discovery offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at the technical and personal labor that supported some of the 20th century's most significant photojournalism. By preserving the album in a public institution, the Bodleian secures a vital piece of British photographic history that connects the glamour of Vogue with the grim realities of World War II. The collection highlights the crucial role of darkroom technicians like Haupt, who Miller personally trained to process her field film, and provides new context for the collaborative nature of wartime reporting.