POIGNANT: Verdun, in north-east France, photographed by Olive Edis after the first world war battle between the armies of France and Germany, from February to December 1916, which left an estimated 976,000 dead.

An acclaimed Sheringham photographer’s portraits of early 20th century authors, politicians and first world war scenes will go under the hammer at auctioneers Keys’ Aylsham saleroom on Friday.

An Olive Edis photograph of Thomas Hardy, which is being auctioned by Keys of Aylsham.

The items are part of photographer Olive Edis’s collection. Among lots are photographs of novelists Thomas Hardy, whose works include Tess of the d’Urbervilles, and John Galsworthy, author of The Forsyte Saga, plus prime ministers David Lloyd George and Arthur Balfour.

Platinum prints of a ruined Verdun, in the aftermath of the first world war battle are also included, together with scenes of the Menin Road and Ypres. Edis (1876-1955) ran a photography studio in Sheringham from 1905 with her sister Katherine.

By 1910, her work was regularly published in the London Illustrated News and she began producing autochrome images in 1912.

She was commissioned, in 1919, by the National (later Imperial) War Museum to photograph the work of British women in France and Flanders and, at the same time, captured poignant images of the desolation of war. In 1928, Edis married Edwin Galsworthy, cousin of the novelist, which opened many society doors, enabling her to photograph notable figures of the era.

An Olive Edis photograph of John Galsworthy, which is being auctioned by Keys of Aylsham.

■ Keys’ books and ephemera two-day sale begins tomorrow, March 21, at 10am, viewing until 7.3pm tonight and from 8.30am to 4pm tomorrow. The Edis photos are in Friday’s sale which begins at 11am with viewing from 8.30am. Visit www.keysauctions.co.uk