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Record Details

Photograph (Experimental Photogenic Drawing), by Sir John Herschel, February 16, 1839

Inventory Number: 31296
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 16, 1839, made as a ??hypo fixing and positive printing experiment during the earliest phase of his photographic researches. One of 5 experimental photogenic drawings which Herschel has put aside in a packet (packet 18 in the Museum's numbering) inscribed 'Class. C | Spoiled and Bad | Photographs | To be merely preserved | as memoranda'.

Subject: engraving, image barely discernible
Technique: contact copy (print) from a negative
Format: inscription horizontal
Polarity: positive
Orientation: not apparent
Quality: image barely discernible
Colour: xxx
Chemistry: silver based, probably hypo fixed
Coating: none
Inscription: signature, date
Paper: thin
Condition: good
Purpose: a positive printing experiment as well as presumably a fixing experiment.

For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives.
Primary Inscriptions: 'J.F.W.H. Phot. Feb.16/39.' [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
81 116 mm

Narratives

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