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BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Licence
Buy this image as a print
BuyLicense this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library
LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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LicenseSet of chemicals for wet-plate process in 12 glass bottles in
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Set of chemicals for wet-plate process in 12 glass bottles in
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Set of chemicals for wet-plate process in 12 glass bottles in
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Set of chemicals for wet-plate process in 12 glass bottles in
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Set of chemicals for wet-plate process in 12 glass bottles in
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum
Set of chemicals for wet-plate process in 12 glass bottles in leather portable case, with two leather gloves, 1854. Comprising 1. citric acid, 2. carbonate of soda, 3. iron III solution, 4. crystal varnish, 5. unidentified chemical, 6. hypo bottle (empty), 7. acetic acid, 8. iodised collodion solution, 9. collodion solution (residue), 10. pyrogallic solution, 11. nitrate of silver solution, 12. chloride of gold.
Each of the chemicals in the set had an important role in making a photograph on glass. Sodium bicarbonate was used to remove any dirt or grease from the glass plate. Once clean, collodion was poured on to the surface of the plate, which was then immersed in a bath of silver nitrate.
The sticky plate would then be loaded into a camera and developed immediately, hence the name ‘wet process’. After exposing the plate for a few seconds, the photographer would develop the image. This was achieved by immersing the plate in an acetic acid and iron solution. Finally, a varnish was applied, and gently heated over a flame to dry and seal the plate.
Glass bottle of citric acid, with handwritten paper label on the cork stopper which reads 'citric acid No 4 solution'. 1 from a set of 12 chemicals from a leather portable case.
Glass bottle of carbonate of soda with handwritten label. 1 from a set of 12 chemicals from a leather portable case.
Glass bottle of iron III solution with handwritten label. 1 from a set of 12 chemicals from a leather portable case.
Glass bottle of crystal varnish, with two labels, one with printed text which reads 'Crystal Varnish. Photographic Institution, 168, New Bond Street, London.' and one handwritten which reads 'No 7'. 1 from a set of 12 chemicals from a leather portable case.
Glass hypo bottle (empty), printed label reads 'nitrile silver solution' and includes instructions for mixing various solutions. 1 from a set of 12 chemicals from a leather portable case.
Glass bottle of acetic acid with printed paper label which reads 'Acetic Acid prepared by R. W. Thomas. Chemist, manufacturer of Pure Photographic Chemicals, 10, Pall Mall, London'. 1 from a set of 12 chemicals from a leather portable case.
Acetic acid was added to the solution used to develop negatives. In the nineteenth century, different manuals would recommend specific mixtures of chemicals to achieve the best results.
Glass bottle with glass stopper tied on with a length of string, with handwritten paper label which reads 'No 1 The Iodised Collodion ready for use', empty. One from a set of twelve chemicals from a leather portable case.
Collodion is a mixture of cellulose nitrate dissolved in alcohol and ether. In the 1850s it became popular in photography and was applied to glass and metal to create fast-acting light sensitive plates.
Glass bottle with glass stopper tied on with a length of string, with printed paper label (partially removed) which reads '(?) Clifford, Collidion, Photographic Warehouse, Piccadilly, London', empty. One from a set of twelve chemicals from a leather portable case.
Glass bottle of pyrogallic solution with handwritten label which reads 'No. 4. Pyrogallic Acid Solution Extra Bottle.' 1 from a set of 12 chemicals from a leather portable case.
Glass bottle of nitrate of silver solution with a handwritten label which reads ' No 5 Weak Nitrate of Silver Solution'. 1 from a set of 12 chemicals from a leather portable case.
Glass bottle of chloride of gold with handwritten label which reads 'Chloride of Gold. For the Toning Bath'. 1 from a set of 12 chemicals from a leather portable case.
Gold chloride was used to alter the tonal range of a photograph, as part of the developing process.
Portable leather case for chemicals set.
When using the wet collodion process, a photograph is developed immediately. This meant that photographers would carry developing chemicals and mobile darkroom equipment with them.
Unidentified rubber item found in leather case for photographic developing chemicals set.
