History of Science Museum: Collection Database Search

Record Details

Photograph (Experimental Photogenic Drawing), by Sir John Herschel, February 17, 1839

Inventory Number: 82008
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 17, 1839, made as a hypo fixing and positive printing experiment during the earliest phase of his photographic researches.

Subject: engraving 60353, landscape with figure carrying pot on head
Technique: contact copy (print) from a negative
Format: horizontal
Polarity: positive
Orientation: correct
Quality: barely discernible
Colour: very pale fawn and natural paper colour, pale blue stain
Chemistry: silver based, hypo fixed
Coating: none
Inscription: chemical note, signature, date
Paper: thin
Condition: good
Purpose: a hypo fixing and positive printing experiment.

For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives.
Primary Inscriptions: 'H.S J.F.W H. Photogr. Feb 17' [hyposulphite; 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
85 118 mm

Narratives

Permalink: http://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/object/inv/82008