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Record Details

Photograph (Experimental Photogenic Drawing), by Sir John Herschel, June 23, 1839

Inventory Number: 80662
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 23, 1839, a perfected hypo fixing experiment, oiled (or varnished) for improved translucency. One corner is cut or broken off, perhaps due to the embrittlement caused by the oiling.

Subject: engraving 40546, lady with laurel crown
Technique: contact copy
Format: vertical
Polarity: negative
Orientation: laterally reversed
Quality: good
Colour: brown on amber, pale yellow to transmitted light, dark brown border
Chemistry: silver based, hypo fixed
Coating: oiled or varnished on back
Inscription: number, date, chemical note
Paper: normal, thinnish
Condition: good, slightly brittle, top right corner broken or cut off
Purpose: a hypo-fixed negative, oiled for improved translucency and probably used for making experimental positives by other processes such as cyanotype.

For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives.
Primary Inscriptions: '534. June 23/39. Pp W. then HS. S' [pump water, hyposulphite of soda; 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
100 98 mm

Narratives

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