The photograph shows the decaying framework of William Herschel's forty-foot telescope. This experimental negative, silver on glass, is the earliest of a photograph on glass. The image has deteriorated badly and is barely visible. Sir John Herschel (1792-1871), was an English astronomer, mathematician and chemist and the son of Sir William Herschel. Herschel introduced 'hypo' (thiosulphate) as a photographic fixerative and discovered the cyanotype or blueprint process in 1842.

Picture Reference: 10305190
Subject: ENTERTAINMENT & MEDIA > > Early History, Pre-1850
Inventory No.: 1919-0501
Credit: NMeM

Keywords: 1780-1818, 1800s, 19th Century, Early Photography, Europe, Experimental, First, Frame, Frederick, Glass, Glass Negatives, Herschel, Herschel, John F W (john Frede, Herschel, John, Industrial Revolution, John, John Herschel, Man-made, Man Made, Metal, Negative, Optical Equipment, Optical Device, Photograph, Photography, Precious Metal, Silver, Sir, Telescope, Telescope Frame, Uk, United Kingdom, William

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