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Photograph (Experimental Photogenic Drawing), by Sir John Herschel, August 3, 1839

Inventory Number: 80888
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, August 3, 1839, made as a hypo fixing experiment during the series of experiments using hypo and water in which hypo fixing was perfected.

Subject: engraving xxx, landscape with lake and town
Technique: contact copy
Format: horizontal
Polarity: negative
Orientation: laterally reversed
Quality: xxx
Colour: pale sepia, brown sky, dark brown border
Chemistry: silver based, hypo fixed
Coating: retouching back and front, in brown ink to sky, sun, and horizon, and in black ink to part of border
Inscription: number, date, chemical note
Paper: thin
Condition: good
Purpose: a fixing experiment using hypo and water.

For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives.
Primary Inscriptions: '548 Aug 3/39. W. Then HS So FF' [water, hyposulphite of soda, ?fully fixed; 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
98 124 mm

Narratives

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