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Photograph (Experimental Photogenic Drawing), by Sir John Herschel, February 26, 1839

Inventory Number: 85108
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 26, 1839, made as a hypo fixing experiment during the earliest phase of his photographic researches. The image is represented by retouching only, the photographic image having completely disappeared. The retouching indicates that it has then been used as a negative in positive printing experiments.

Subject: engraving, sailing ship and yacht
Technique: contact copy
Format: horizontal
Polarity: negative
Orientation: laterally reversed
Quality: photographic image completely disappeared
Colour: plain paper, brown and reddish ink, grey wash, dark brown (ink) border
Chemistry: silver based, hypo fixed
Coating: ink and wash retouching
Inscription: date, chemical note
Paper: thin
Condition: good
Purpose: a hypo fixing experiment, also used as a test object in positive printing (and retouching) experiments.

For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives.
Primary Inscriptions: 'Feb 26/39. H.S. Sod' [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
85 121 mm

Narratives

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