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History of Science Museum

Photograph (Collodion Positive on Glass) of a Woman, by Long & Co., Exeter, 1850s

Inventory Number 40750


Item type
Object
Provenance
Purchased from R. S. Clay in 1944. Part of the Clay Collection.
Primary inscriptions
Prnted label on back of mount: 'Long & Co. | Photographers, | 45, High Street, | Exeter, | and | 83, Union Street, | Plymouth.'.
Physical material
Glass
Wood
Brass
Dimensions
Height: 83mm Width: 71mm
Inventory No
40750
Accession Number
1944-1

Description

Collodion positive on glass (ambrotype), enclosed and semi-cased. Portrait of a woman, seated three-quarter length, turned to right, her left arm resting on a table by a vase of roses. Lightly tinted, including with gold. Enclosed in brass frame and plane oval brass mat. Embedded in half-case, with ring on top edge for hanging. The printed photographer's label on the back is extremely unusual, collodion positives being almost invariably anonymous.