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History of Science Museum

Photograph (Albumen Print, Cabinet Format) of John Thomas Norman, by W. H. Prestwich, London, 1893/94

Inventory Number 52663


Acknowledgement: © History of Science Museum, University of Oxford, inv.52663

Item type
Object
Provenance
Presented by the Executors of G. H. Gabb in 1949.
Primary inscriptions
Printed photographer's advertisement in gold on the red back of the mount: '... W. H. Prest[wich] | 155, City [Road] | London.' in a horizontal format design including a female figure leaning on a camera (broken away at right); partly covered by a manuscript label identifying the subject: 'John Thomas Norman of 178 City Road | Born. 1804 (about) died 1894. In his | 90th year.' [in G. H. Gabb's hand].
Physical material
Paper
Card
Dimensions
Height: 145mm Width: 108mm
Inventory No
52663
Accession Number
1949-10

Description

Albumen print mounted on card, cabinet format. Portrait of J. T. Norman, seated three-quarter length, facing front, his right arm resting on a table by an open book. The window behind him is presumably a painted backdrop. The card is cream on the front and red on the back, with an elaborate horizontally oriented photographer's advertisement printed in gold. The bottom margin of the card has been deliberately cut or broken away.

The subject is John Thomas Norman (c.1804-1894), a professional maker of microscope slides and preparations, photographed in his 90th year (1893/94). The photographer W. H. Prestwich was at 155 City Road during the 1880s and 1890s, not far from Norman's shop at number 178. The owner of the photograph, G. H. Gabb, a chemist and scientific antiquary, was acquainted with Norman in his later years.