History of Science Museum: Collection Database Search

Record Details

Photograph (Experimental Photogenic Drawing), by Sir John Herschel, March 11, 1839

Inventory Number: 42031
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, March 11, 1839, made as a hypo fixing and positive printing experiment during the earliest phase of his photographic researches.

Subject: engraving, landscape with shrine
Technique: contact copy (print) from a negative
Format: horizontal
Polarity: positive
Orientation: correct
Quality: xx
Colour: xxx
Chemistry: silver based, hypo fixed
Coating: none
Inscription: date, chemical note
Paper: xxx
Condition: good
Purpose: a positive printing and hypo fixing experiment.

For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives.
Primary Inscriptions: 'March 11/39 H.S undilute' [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
77 120 mm

Narratives

Permalink: http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/object/inv/42031