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Record Details

Photograph (Experimental Photogenic Drawing), by Sir John Herschel, June 18, 1839

Inventory Number: 59306
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, June 18, 1839, made as a fixing and positive printing experiment. 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 61514, lady with head-dress
Technique: contact copy (print) from a negative
Format: vertical
Polarity: positive
Orientation: correct
Quality: xxx, image shows through back slightly
Colour: brown and yellow
Chemistry: silver based, fixed with hydriodate (iodide, either sodium, ammonium, or potassium)
Coating: none
Inscription: number, date, chemical/procedural note
Paper: watermarked
Condition: good
Purpose: both a positive printing experiment and a fixing experiment, trying hydriodate (an iodide, either sodium, ammonium, or potassium) as fixative.

For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives.
Primary Inscriptions: '503' and '503. --[long dash] June 18 over Sunned | F. Water | then Hydriod' [hydriodate; 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
129 105 mm

Narratives

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