Photograph (Albumen Print, Photomicrographs) of the Spiracle and Tracheae of a Silkworm and Proboscis of a Fly, by Joseph Delves and Nicolaas Henneman, 1852-53

In Transactions of the Microscopical Society of London, NS Volume I, 1853, Plate VII. The photograph takes the form of a thin sheet of unmounted albumised paper bound into the volume as a page in its own right, amongst the conventional (lithographically printed) plates at the end of the volume. Pale yellowy sepia. Vertical format, containing two images: top image 'Spiracle and Tracheae of the Silkworm', circular within dark square; bottom image 'Proboscis of the Fly', circular. The printed caption (see narratives) is on a page facing the photographic plate.

This is the first use of photomicrography (photography through the microscope) in book or journal illustration. It chiefly illustrates the paper by Joseph Delves, "On the Application of Photography to the Representation of Microscopic Objects", Transactions pp.57-58, given on October 27, 1852; and is also related to the articles in the Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science (Volume I, 1853; which was issued with the Transactions) by George Shadbolt, "On the Photographic Delineation of Microscopic Objects by Artificial Illumination", Quarterly Journal pp.165-170, and by Samuel Highley, "On the Practical Application of Photography to the Illustration of Works on Microscopy, Natural History, Anatomy, &c.", Quarterly Journal pp.178-194. Highley was the publisher of the twin journals, and arranged for the albumen prints to be made by Nicolaas Henneman from Joseph Delves's glass negatives. He writes at the end of his article: 'I beg to offer my sincere obligations to Mr. Delves for his liberal and valuable aid in furnishing, for this number of the 'Microscopical Journal,' the requisite number of negatives from which the positive proofs were produced by Mr. Henneman of Regent Street; also to Mr. A. Ross and Mr. Henneman, for their kindness and readiness in affording me information on lenses and practical photography.' At his own talk in 1852 Delves displayed four original collodion positives, which are preserved together in a wooden frame (12093).