Collection

Booklet of 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions' by Anna Atkins

Made:: 1843-1853 in United Kingdom

maker:: Anna Atkins

Cystoseira granulata A cyanotype of 'Cystoseira granulata' from 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions'

Title page, 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions', 1843 The title page from 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions', made by Anna Atkins (1799-1871)

Dedication page, 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions', 1843 A page from 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions', made by Anna Atkins (1799-1871) in 1843

Introduction of 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions', 1843 A page of introduction from Part 1 of 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions'

Contents page of 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions', 1843 The contents page from Part 1 of 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions'

'Cystoseira ericoides', 1843 A cyanotype of 'Cystoseira ericoides' from 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions'

'Cystoseira foeniculacea', 1843 A cyanotype of 'Cystoseira foeniculacea' from 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions'

'Himanthalia lorea', 1843 A cyanotype of 'Himanthalia lorea' from 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions'

'Laminaria saccharina', 1843 A cyanotype of 'Laminaria saccharina' from 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions'

'Polysiphonia violacea', 1843 A cyanotype of 'Polysiphonia violacea' from 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions'

'Bangia fusco-purpurea', 1843 A cyanotype of 'Bangia fusco-purpurea' from 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions'

'Sargassum Bacciferum', 1843 A cyanotype of 'Sargassum Bacciferum' from 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions'

'Cystoseira granulata', 1843 A cyanotype of 'Cystoseira granulata' from 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions'

Booklet of cyanotype impressions, 'Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions' by Anna Atkins (1799-1871) Part 1 of Fox Talbot's own copy, sewn in original blue wrapper.

Atkins published a collection of cyanotype photograms of algae, in installments over ten years from 1843, to provide images to accompany contemporary books on algae. This first instalment is credited as the first photographically illustrated book. Atkins used the new process of cyanotype, in which paper brushed with photosensitive chemicals turned a vivid blue when exposed to light. Any specimen laid directly onto the paper left its impression as a white shadow. Atkins had unusual access to scientific knowledge for women of the time, attending lectures by pioneering photographers John Herschel and William Henry Fox Talbot. She presented this copy of her book to Talbot.

Details

Category:: Photographs

Object Number:: 1937-403

type:: cyanotype

credit:: Matilda Talbot

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