Albert Cooper, the legendary Daily Mirror photographer who captured the only image of Bobby and Jack Charlton embracing after England's 1966 World Cup victory, is opening a new exhibition of previously unseen Muhammad Ali photographs.
Exhibition details
The 90-year-old photographer's exhibition, titled “Muhammad Ali: Unseen”, will open at SEESAW on Princess Street in Manchester from July 10 to August 3. The display features photographs that were discovered last year by Cooper's grandson, Matt, in a bag of negatives tucked inside a cardboard box in Cooper's garage. These images have never been seen publicly before.
Discovery of the negatives
Matt Cooper found the undeveloped negatives while going through his grandfather's belongings. Speaking previously to the Mirror, Matt said: “I was excited when I saw the name – Grandad was actually with me when we opened the bag. It was amazing that we found undeveloped negatives. I looked at them under the light and they were great. Grandad immediately remembered the job. It was the only time he worked with Ali. He had very positive memories and spoke very highly about him. He said he was a most memorable person and had an incredible charisma.”
Personal connection
Matt, who curated the exhibition, said: “Growing up, I never really understood the depth of my grandad’s work or what it meant on a larger scale, but I always knew it would mean something one day. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to do what I do. I’m so proud of my grandad. Growing up, my grandad showed me the way in life, whether that was how to treat people or how to use a camera. He couldn’t have done more for me growing up, so this journey I’m on with his work comes naturally, and I’ll do it for as long as I physically can.”
Iconic 1966 photo
Cooper is best known for his photograph of the Charlton brothers – Bobby and Jack – kneeling on the pitch and hugging each other moments after England won the 1966 World Cup final at Wembley. Matt said: “When I watch the games at this World Cup I always think of the photograph my grandad took of the Charlton brothers at the 1966 World Cup final. It’s an image that never really gained the public’s attention at the time, but now people are finally starting to appreciate it for what it is.”
Exhibition venue and prints
The handmade silver gelatin prints for the exhibition were produced in a darkroom at SEESAW, operated by a group called Negative Development. Matt explained: “I held my fourth exhibition there, and that’s where I met a group of lads who operate out of a darkroom in the same building called Negative Development. They took me under their wing and have let me use their darkroom to produce the handmade silver gelatin prints that will be on show at the exhibition.”
