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History of Science Museum

Two Photographs (Collodion Positives on Glass) in One Case, of a Man and of a Woman and Boy, c.1857

Inventory Number 13164


Item type
Object
Provenance
Purchased from R. S. Clay in 1944. Part of the Clay Collection.
Primary inscriptions
Printed label in case behind right-hand photograph referring to union case patents of 1854, 1855, and 1856.
Physical material
Glass
Brass
Thermoplastic
Object type
Photograph
Dimensions
Height: 108mm Width: 82mm
Inventory No
13164
Accession Number
1944-1

Description

The case contains two photographs, both collodion positives on glass (ambrotypes).

Left: a man, seated three-quarter length, facing front, his left arm resting on a small round table.

Right: his wife and child, the woman seated three-quarter length, facing front, her left arm resting on the same table and her right arm on the boy's shoulder, the boy standing to left.

Both are hand tinted, including gold. Enclosed in gilt frames and heavily decorated oval matts. Union case with relief design front and back. Two hinges and one pressure clasp. Printed label inside the right-hand recess of the case.

Compare 25494.