Princess Elizabeth aged 13 by Marcus Adams.

A collection of photographs taken by local father and son Marcus (1875-1959) and Gilbert Adams (1906-1996) has been bought by the Museum Reading.

Numbering 30 in all, the collection cost a total of £8,400, half of which was provided by the National Art Collections Fund (Art Fund) and half by the MLA/V&A Purchase Grant Fund.

Among the grainy black and white shots are striking portraits of 13-year old Queen-to-be, Princess Elizabeth.

"Marcus Adams and his son Gilbert were responsible for producing a fascinating range of images – capturing as they did well-known public figures as well as ordinary people going about their lives," explained Art Fund Director, David Barrie.

"This collection is truly eclectic and demonstrates the skill of father and son as portrait photographers. That the photographs should find a home in Reading is really fitting."

Henry Moore, sculptor, late 1940s by Gilbert Adams.

The Adams family connection to Reading dates back to 1881 when Marcus trained in his father’s studio in the town. Marcus’s son, Gilbert, then trained with him before becoming an established photographer in his own right.

Between them their work takes in ordinary soldiers relaxing in an army barracks and local children playing in a Reading churchyard, as well as members of the Royal family.

Marcus Adams is well known for his portraits of the Royal family, many of which were reproduced all over the world. They include several images of the young Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret capturing the closeness of the family.

Gloria Swanson with her baby, 1932 by Marcus Adams.

His son Gilbert also captured informal images of the Royal family while assisting his father at Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. But by 1923 he was himself an established photographer and during the Second World War was commissioned to document the allied effort.

Later in life he re-established his connection with the Royal family by directing the lighting in Westminster Abbey for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

Other famous faces to appear amongst his post-war work include the sculptor Henry Moore and a young Marianne Faithfull.

The Museum of Reading is planning to put the collection on display from December 2 2005 in the John Madejski Art Gallery.

"We are delighted with this purchase as it significantly enhances the Museum of Reading’s photographic collection," added Cllr Catherine Wilton, head of arts for Reading Borough Council. "We remain grateful to the Art Fund for their ongoing support."