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History of Science Museum

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

Inventory Number 70474


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
'HS. Sod Apl 19/39' [hyposulphite of soda; in Herschel's hand].
Physical material
Paper
Dimensions
Height: 92mm Width: 125mm
Inventory No
70474
Accession Number
1928-71

Description

Experimental photogenic drawing by Sir John Herschel, April 19, 1839, made as a hypo fixing experiment during the earliest phase of his photographic researches. This is one of two standard size items found among the larger photographs (packet 17), so may have strayed from a nearby packet.

Subject: ?engraving, slight hints of image and border only

Technique: ?contact copy (print) from a negative

Format: inscription horizontal

Polarity: ?positive (possible light border)

Orientation: not apparent

Quality: not discernible, slight fragments of image only

Colour: pale sepia with greyish sepia areas, grainy brownish margin at right (showing sepia on back), fawn back with darker blotch

Chemistry: silver based, hypo fixed

Coating: none

Inscription: chemical note, date

Paper: normal

Condition: good

Purpose: a hypo fixing experiment.

For fuller descriptive and historical commentary see narratives.