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Record Details

Photograph (Experimental Photogenic Drawing), by Sir John Herschel, February 25, 1839

Inventory Number: 23046
Object Type:
Persons: Sir John Frederick William Herschel (Photographer)
Date Created: 1839
Accession Number: 1928-71
Brief Description: Experimental photogenic drawing by Sir John Herschel, February 25, 1839, made as a hypo fixing and positive printing experiment during the earliest phase of his photographic researches.

Subject: engraving 60353, landscape with figure carrying pot on head
Technique: contact copy (print) of a negative
Format: horizontal
Polarity: positive
Orientation: correct
Quality: x
Colour: xxx
Chemistry: silver based, hypo fixed
Coating: none
Inscription: procedural and chemical note, date
Paper: xxx
Condition: good
Purpose: a positive printing and hypo fixing experiment; 'transfer' was the term Herschel used for the initial contact copying of an engraving, producing a negative photogenic drawing, 're-transfer' or 're-reversal' (of the tones) being along with fixing the chief concern of the early phase of his experiments.

For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives.
Primary Inscriptions: 'Re-Transfd. Feb.25. Hyp Sod. imnersed[sic]' [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
85 118 mm

Narratives

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