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History of Science Museum

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

Inventory Number 66340


Item type
Object
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).
Primary inscriptions
'542'.
Physical material
Paper
Dimensions
Height: 126mm Width: 100mm
Inventory No
66340
Accession Number
1928-71

Description

Experimental photogenic drawing by Sir John Herschel, undated but 1839, made as a fixing experiment.

Subject: engraving 82112, lady with nude infant and girl

Technique: contact copy

Format: vertical

Polarity: negative

Orientation: laterally reversed

Quality: xxx

Colour: brown, dark border

Chemistry: silver based, presumably hypo fixed

Coating: none

Inscription: number

Paper: thin

Condition: good

Purpose: a fixing experiment.

For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives.