Although Ernest Walter Histed was born in Brighton, he made his reputation as a photographer in Chicago and later in Pittsburgh. He returned to England to set up a studio first in New Bond Street and then in Baker Street. In 1898 he made portraits of H. Rider Haggard, Clara Butt and the Empress of Germany, the last by command of Queen Victoria at Windsor castle. He also photographed Royal Academicians, leading actors for The Candid Friend and Pope Pius X. The firm continued as Histed and Company when he returned to New York to operate a studio on Fifth Avenue. He moved to Palm beach, Florida and continued to work until 1934. The largest collection of his work is held by the Museum of the City of New York.

The Candid Friend, 1901. 24 photogravure portraits with tissue guards. Although the title mentions 25 portraits, the contents leaf lists only 24. Most of the images are of actors, including Sir Henry Irving, Sarah Bernhardt, Mrs. Langtry, Ellen Terry, etc. Only about five of the portraits are non theatrical. OCLC locates 3 copies