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History of Science Museum

Photograph (Experimental Photogenic Drawing), by Sir John Herschel, April 19, 1839

Inventory Number 45077


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
'April 19/39 (an old photog). fixed with distilled water' [in Herschel's hand].
Physical material
Paper
Inventory No
45077
Accession Number
1928-71

Description

Experimental photogenic drawing by Sir John Herschel, April 19, 1839, made as a fixing and positive printing experiment during the earliest phase of his photographic researches.

Subject: engraving ???60353, ?landscape with figure carrying pot on head

Technique: contact copy (print) from a negative

Format: horizontal

Polarity: positive

Orientation: xxx

Quality: very faint

Colour: xxx

Chemistry: silver based, fixed with distilled water

Coating: none

Inscription: date, chemical note

Paper: thin

Condition: good

Purpose: a fixing experiment using water, and a positive printing experiment.

For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives.