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Record Details

Photograph (Experimental Photogenic Drawing), by Sir John Herschel, c.1839

Inventory Number: 83414
Object Type:
Persons: Sir John Frederick William Herschel (Photographer)
Date Created:
Accession Number: 1928-71
Brief Description: Experimental photogenic drawing by Sir John Herschel, undated, probably 1839. The unusual colouring or discoloration suggests a variant sensitising chemistry, or an unusual fixing experiment.

Subject: engraving 61514, lady with head-dress
Technique: contact copy (print) from a negative
Format: vertical
Polarity: positive
Orientation: correct
Quality: poor, discoloured or stained
Colour: murky grey to buff with extensive stains and blotches, greyish with lighter blotches on back
Chemistry: not known
Coating: ?waxed
Inscription: part of number
Paper: slightly heavy
Condition: good
Purpose: not known, the unusual colouring suggests a variant sensitising chemistry.

For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives.
Primary Inscriptions: Part of number trimmed.
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
114 91 mm

Narratives

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