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Record Details

Photograph (Experimental Photogenic Drawing), by Sir John Herschel, c.1842

Inventory Number: 12527
Object Type:
Persons: Sir John Frederick William Herschel (Photographer)
Date Created:
Accession Number: 1928-71
Brief Description: Experimental photogenic drawing by Sir John Herschel, undated, probably c.1842. Ferrotartaric acid (and other iron-based sensitisers) were using during the cyanotype and other experiments of 1842, and produced a yellowy colour if not combined or developed with other chemicals.

Subject: engraving xxx, two ladies, one standing (left)
Technique: contact copy
Format: vertical
Polarity: negative
Orientation: laterally reversed
Quality: barely discernible
Colour: yellow, darker border
Chemistry: iron based using ferrotartaric acid, probably lead acetate
Coating: none
Inscription: chemical note
Paper: xxx
Condition: good
Purpose: an experiment with iron based sensitising chemistry.

For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives.
Primary Inscriptions: 'J[?...] | Ferrotc Ac. from Lead free frm Sc[?]' [ferrotartaric acid, ?free from silver; in Herschel's hand].
Provenance: Presented by Miss Herschel and Lady Lubbock in 1928. They were the two surviving and youngest children of Sir John Herschel (Francisca and Constance).
Collection Group: Herschel's Photographic Experiments
Material(s): Paper
Dimensions:
Height Width Depth Diameter Unit
120 97 mm

Narratives

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