1854 LIVERPOOL PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNAL vol. I
Ver: Oct. 11, 2006
NOTES:
--Journal titles – TO DO . LPJ, L&MPJ, [L&M]JofP, BJP etc.
TRANSCRIPTION CONVENTIONS:
--Italics have been retained from publications, which uses them for both titles as well as emphasis. To more easily locate image titles, I have continued this italicization when titles have been rendered in all capitols or put in quotes, however italics have NOT been used when the general subject of an image is mentioned.
--Spelling and typos: Nineteenth-century spellings occasionally differs from currently accepted norms. In addition, British spellings also differ from American usage. Common examples are: “colour” vs. “color”; “centre” vs. “center’” the use of “s” for “z” as in “recognise” vs. “recognize; and the use of one “l” instead of “ll” as in “fulfilment”. While great care has been exercised in transcribing the 19th-century journals exactly as printed, “spell check” automatically corrects many of these differences. An attempt has been made to recorrect these automatic changes, but no doubt some have slipped through. As for typographical errors, these have been checked although no doubt some have managed to slip through the editorial process. For matters of consequence, I will be happy to recheck the original sources if need be for specific references.
--Photographer’s (or potential photographer’s) names have been bolded – see also below under “Names”
--Brackets [ ] are used to indicate supplied comments by the transcriber; parenthesis
( ) are used in the original sources. If the original source has used brackets, they have been transcribed as parenthesis to avoid confusion.
-- Technical articles: For the most part, articles discussing technical aspects of photography, products, etc. were not transcribed unless they are part of a larger article covering photographs. When technical descriptions are too lengthy to include, that has been noted. Exceptions have been made as the transcriber saw fit.
--Meetings of Societies: Names of officers, members attending or referenced, dates and locations of meetings have been given. The first and/or earliest meetings recorded have been transcribed in full. Beyond those early years, only if the reports are very short or discuss photographs, have the articles been copied in full; if administrative or technical in nature. Although not always possible due to time constraints on borrowed materials, when possible, I have included at least the dates of society meetings and any photographer’s names listed.
-- Related, contemporary journals: e.g., The Art-Journal, cover both photographer as well as painting, drawing, sculpture, etc.. As they frequently refer to the production of both the photographer and the painter as “pictures” it is not always possible to tell when photography is indicated. If there is doubt, these articles have been included and the names bolded, but the individuals may, in fact, not be photographers.
NAMES:
--All photographer’s names have been bolded for easy location. EXCEPTIONS: While it is likely that people working with photographic equipment and techniques are also photographers some discretion has been used and not all such names have been bolded. Names of honorary members of a photographic society are assumed to be photographers and thus bolded, when in fact, that may not be the case. Names mentioned in connection with meetings of non-photographic societies have not been bolded unless there is a known or suspected photographic association. A computer word search, however, will still enable the researcher to locate any references to specific names.
--Names: Given abbreviations for titles such as “M” for “Monsieur”, etc., it is not always possible to tell if an individual’s first name or title is being abbreviated. Thus, especially with non-English photographers, too much credence should not be put into an initial that could also serve as an abbreviated title.
--It is not always possible in lists of photographers to know when two separate photographers are partners or not, e.g., in a list, “Smith and Jones” sometimes alludes to two separate photographers and sometimes to one photographic company. Both names will be highlighted and indexed but a partnership may be wrongly assumed. Any information to the contrary would be appreciated.
NUMBERS:
--Numbers referenced in the various journals can refer to either the photographer’s image number, or an entry number in an exhibition catalog. When the number is obviously is obviously that of the photographer, it is included in the index under the photographer’s name, whereas exhibition numbers are not.
1854: LPJ Jan. 14, vol. I, #1, p. 1-2:
Address.
The Liverpool Photographic Society, in putting forth a Journal of their own, rest their claims to public support upon the widely extending interest in the several branches of Photographic art—the daily progress that is being made by the practical members of their own Society, and other Photographers elsewhere. The admirers of the art naturally desire to have more particulars, and the practical operators more full and precise records of the suggestions, experiments, and successes in various parts of the world, than can possibly be afforded by a newspaper devoted to general information. The London Photographic Journal, though furnished with the Proceedings of the Liverpool Society from the commencement, has not been able to find room for them; a part only of the May Meeting being given in the September number. The Glasgow Photographers obtain their information of our Proceedings through the medium of American newspapers!
An exhibition of Photographs has been proposed to take place during the visit of the British Association to Liverpool. In conjunction with this, the Liverpool Photographic Society have offered premiums for the best specimens of the art produced by their own members. A premium has also been offered by the British Association for the best Photograph of the Moon—for which it is expected our resident Photographers will compete. The award of the premium offered by our Society will be influenced, if not decided, by the opinions of the British Association; but it is desirable that public taste should be brought to bear upon it; and to cultivate the true appreciation of the beauties of the Photographic art—the qualities most valuable, most to be admired—the Society propose this publication, in which not only all the Papers read at the meeting will be published, but the discussions upon them, in the course of which individual observations and suggestions occur of the highest importance, though they may not be appreciated at the moment in consequence of some other matter being the absorbing point of interest.
The Liverpool Society have therefore deemed it expedient to have a Journal of their own, commencing with the report of the first meeting in the new year. But that the records preserved may be complete, a resumê will be given of what has already been done by the Society, with such Papers as may be considered interesting of those which have been read at previous meetings. The Proceedings of the London Society, and of independent operators at home and abroad will be given, with everything that can be obtained to furnish our readers with a complete account of the state and progress of the art in all its various branches.
Various forms of camera adapted to Photographic operations, have been exhibited by Mr. Mackinlay, Mr. Wood, Mr. Atkinson, and others, members of the Society, of which full descriptions will be given. A set of rooms have been engaged for reading and operating, and furnished with many of the works—continental and English—esteemed the best authorities on the several branches of Photography, and a Camera of the best description, with screens, baths, and every requisite for the practice of the art.
Valuable contributions have been made to this Society. Through Dr. Edwards, Mr. Sanford has presented a number of very large Photographs. Mr. G. R. Berry has presented some specimens of Photolithography and Photographic engraving on steel. Mr. Macklinlay [stet], Mr. Forrest, and Mr. McInnes, have been devoting their attention very successfully to making the means of the Collodion process portable; and the latter gentleman has developed a method of removing the Collodion film from the glass without injury to the Photograph; in some instances even improving the appearance. Mr. G. R. Berry has perfected a paper process, in which he can print a beautiful colour by gas light; of which the members of the Society will have a full opportunity of judging, through the liberality of another member, Mr. John Morecroft, who has sent a number of negatives taken with wonderful success and judgment, by Buckle’s process on paper, of which impressions are to be printed by Mr. G. R. Berry, for the purpose of distribution to the Society—two prints to each member. Mr. G. R. Berry gratuitously contributes his labour in printing these exquisite Photographs for the Society, in which the members will receive the full value of their subscription.
Mr. Bell has produced some very minute Daguerreotypes for the stereoscope. Mr. Frank Howard has been endeavouring to persuade us to confine our attention to facts, without attempting to compete with the Fine Arts; and has also assisted to put us in possession of those principles of chiar-oscuro, which have been, and are recognised as essential in works of the Fine Arts, in case we should reject his advice as to the limitation of efforts of truth and scientific illustration.
Dr. Edwards has exemplified the use of Photography, in preserving fac-simile representations of rare specimens of natural history by his Collodion Photography of the torpedo nobiliana recently caught on these shores and by various microscopic details, preserved on collodion, with the assistance of Mr. Barker, and exhibited with unquestionable accuracy.
Another instance of its utility has been shewn in the interesting series of Photographic reports of progress of the Crystal Palace erecting at Sydenham, which Mr. Archer, the Liverpool agent of the Crystal Palace Company has displayed before the Society on two occasions. Every week, Mr. Delamotte takes Photograph of various parts of the work which are then printed and sent to the Directors of the Company, as reports of the progress in which no mistake, falsification, or cooking can occur, or be practiced.
The architects are aware of the value of Photography for these and similar purposes and the Liverpool Architectural and Archaeological Society has invited a member of our Society to read a Paper on the practice of the art as applicable to their wants.
The authorities of the British Museum are applying Photography to preserving and distributing records of the treasures in their charge. The curator of the Derby Museum may do the same.
It has also been suggested by one of our members, that Photography should be applied in assistance of Physiognomy and Ethnology by preserving records of the natives of the various countries with which we have commercial intercourse, and who are daily visiting this port in such numbers and variety as they afford the most favourable opportunities for such contributions to science. But it will not be necessary to multiply the instances of the value of Photography in the present address-they will occur in almost every page of the Journal which it will be the endeavour of the manager to make in every way worthy of public support.
1854: LPJ Jan. 14, vol. I, #1, p. 3-6:
Liverpool Photographic Society
The Eleventh Meeting of the First Session of the Society was held in the Lecture Theatre of the Royal Institution, Colquitt Street, on Tuesday evening, the 3rd instant. Mr. Corey presided, and the attendance was, as usual, numerous.
Mr. Mackinlay (joint Secretary and Mr. Forrest,) announced two donations to the Society—one “positive” and the other “negative.” Mr. Sanford, of London, had presented to the Society a beautiful collection of positive pictures, which were on view; and the other presentation, which might be called negative, was by Mr. Atkinson, of Manchester-street, who had declined to make any charge for the use of the camera at the rooms in Lord-street.
Mr. G. R. Berry read a Paper entitled “Common Sense applied to Photography—The laws of the Science.” […There follows a copy of the technical paper]
At the conclusion of his Paper, Mr. Berry stated, that whilst recently in London he called at Mr. Highley’s, in Fleet-street, where he obtained a specimen of Photo-lithography, and another of Photography on steel, which he begged leave to present to the Society, as he believed there were no other specimens in Liverpool. He also exhibited two portraits printed on albumenized paper, and said he believed opinion was divided as to the superiority of that process over others.
The President presented the thanks of the Society to Mr. Berry for his interesting exhibition, which, he said, displayed a large amount of mechanical learning and research. Every one of them had gone astray on some wild-goose chase; and, therefore, they must all feel obliged to Mr. Berry for the practical lesson he had favoured them with.
Mr. Wood exhibited and explained to the Society the construction of a new camera for taking views or portraits for the stereoscope on one piece of glass. The great advantage of having the two pictures on one piece of glass was, that it obviated the trouble experienced in fitting when they were on separate glasses [&] the pictures were also developed at the same time, and they were sure of getting them developed equally, and more likely to obtain perfect pictures.
Mr. Forrest stated, that Mr. McInnes, a very ingenious member of the Society, had lately made a stereoscope, in which he used yellow glass. The sensitive plate occupied the position of the ground glass, which was dispensed with altogether. There was a cap of yellow glass, and the focusing was done on the sensitive glass. Of course iodine, without bromine, was used.
Mr. Wood stated that what Mr. Forrest described might be adapted to the camera he exhibited.
The President presented the thanks of the Society to Mr. Wood, for bringing before them his excellent camera.
Mr. Berry then described a modification of the double-plate process, by means of which the plate may be kept sensitive for hours, and impressions may be taken either direct or reversed, so that the negative collodion film may be removed from the glass plate to paper, and yet shall, when used for printing, produce positives, having the details as to position correct. It is impossible to make the process intelligible without diagrams, but we are authorized to state that Mr. Berry will be happy to exhibit the double plate to any members of the Society.
The President then read an extract from a letter addressed by Mr. F. Horne, of London, to Mr. Frank Howard, on the subject of restoring old collodion. […technical information, including reference to Mr. Crookes]
Mr. Frith said, that those who had by them stocks of old collodion had better try it again, for some prepared in June, when tried in August, he could make nothing of, although upon trying it again a week ago, he found it as good collodion as ever he had in his life.
Mr. Bell said he could vouch for the same thing.
Mr. T. C. Archer then delivered a lecture on “The new Crystal Palace at Sydenham,” illustrated and explained by means of diagrams and photographic views taken during the progress of the works at Sydenham, by Mr. P.H. Delamotte.
Mr. Archer commenced his lecture with an allusion to the Great Exhibition of 1851. When it was concluded, he said, all felt regret that the building in which they had experienced such feelings of admiration and intellectual elevation, was so soon to be thrown down, and, like the Exhibition itself, numbered among the things of the past:--
“But England’s word had been pledged, and England’s honour triumphed. The fiat for the destruction of the Crystal Palace was confirmed, and it was in the market, available to the highest bidder. The present company then started into existence, and came with the bold proposition to buy the entire fabric: their offer was accepted, and the Palace of Glass, like the enchanted palace of Aladdin, disappeared from the scene of its primitive glories, to shine again on a distant site. That site is admirably adapted to the objects for which the palace is intend ed; it is at a convenient distance from the smoke and turmoil of the metropolis; situated on one of the most picturesque spots in the county of Kent—celebrated as the garden of England. Nearly four hundred acres of park land were most advantageously purchased; two hundred of which were marked out for the grounds of the palace, the remainder has been sold to private speculators, under most stringent specifications, and at a profit so great, that the land retained has cost an almost nominal sum.” The New Crystal Palace is accessible from all points of London by railway, and stands in a commanding position on the crest of a hill. Mr. Archer then explained the improvements which would be made in the architectural features of the building. There would be three transepts, the centre one with an arched roof of 120 feet diameter, and nearly double the size of the old one, which would be placed at one end, with a new one to correspond at the other. Arched recesses were introduced at the end of these transepts, 24 feet deep; that of the centre transept 194 feet high, and 120 feet wide; those of the side transepts 150 feet high, and 72 feet wide. The improvement in the interior is also very great, the nave being arched, and increased 44 feet in height. Mr. Archer proceeded to describe the terraced gardens, which are to be of the most beautiful description, the extraordinary hydraulic works, and the grandeur of the fountains, which are to be five times as extensive as those at Versailles. There will be every kind of ornamental device known in works of this sort, and all carried out on the most splendid scale. While the grounds become more elaborately dressed as they approach the building, the fountains become more numerous, varied, and wonderful as they recede from it. Supplied from great reservoirs placed on the summit of huge towers, 256 feet high, at either end of the building, the waters will first be seen as cascades tumbling through the arches of the first terrace on the right and left of the grand central archway. As they descend, instead of passing beneath, they will appear to bound over the archways of the lowest terrace, so that visitors may walk under them, as at Niagara. On each side of the principal approach they will hurry along in roaring cataracts or rapids, filling innumerable tazza-shaped fountains in their way, and at last terminating far down in the park in two large basins, each 380 feet broad, in the centre of which will be formed pyramidal fountains of about 180 jets each, the largest throwing water to the height of 230 feet—dancing fountains around these, four in number, rising 130 feet—and outside of them again. 16 others going 90 feet high. There is nothing of the kind in the world at all approaching in magnificence the display of waterworks contemplated by the plans at this point. The two basins and connecting lobes on either side of the main approach will be from end to end 2,000 feet long; and when this is shown, the full power of a supply of 2,000 gallons per second will be put into requisition. Sir Joseph Paxton says that his two great Pyramid Fountains will play twice as long as the “Grandes Eaux” at Versailles. For ordinary occasions the display will not extend so far down, but will terminate at the foot of the terraced garden in a splendid fountain, with an immense basin which is now in process of formation, and round the edge of which it is intended that the water should flow continuously, in a gigantic bell-shape. The lecturer then detailed the magnificence and extent of the project for illustrating Ethnology and Zoology, Botany, and Geology; and alluded to the liberal contributions of raw products from Liverpool. Nearly a thousand specimens had been collected, and were ready to be sent off. He believed they would b e enabled to exhibit one of the finest collections of wood ever brought together, for which they were indebted to Mr. Bryde, of Liverpool, and to Messrs. Holme, Slater, and Crook, of Birkenhead. They had also received a very beautiful collection of Materia Medica, from Messrs. Evans and Son, of this town. Messrs. Littledale and Co. contributed a fine collection of wools, teas, cottons, and specimens of every other description of produce dealt in by that extensive house. Articles of drysaltery, dyes, and things of that sort, were contributed by Messrs. Spence and Co., Messrs. Speere, Saunders, and Co., and others; oils by Mr. Matthews; tanning materials by Messrs. J.C. Hadwen, jun. and Co.; tobacco by Mr. Samuelson; and fruits by Messrs. M’Andrew, Pilcher, and Co. After explaining what was proposed to be done in the departments of the fine arts and sculpture, in which there will be an unrivalled connection and the nature of the architectural illustrations, Mr. Archer concluded by expressing the hope that he had shown, that the brilliant prospect of profit to the projectors, was not the only motive which had called the new Crystal Palace into existence, but that science, art, and every other quality of human intelligence was likely to receive an impetus, such as never before had been given them.
The Photographic views by Mr. Delamotte with which the lecture was illustrated, were forty in number, and included views, not only of the progress of the building from week to week, but copies of the various specimens of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman sculpture, [in the] course of preparation.
Mr. Forrest proposed the thanks of the Society to Mr. Archer for his interesting lecture, which were carried by acclamation.
The President then announced that the Society had now taken up such an important position, that the Council had determined they should have a Journal of their own, in which to record their transactions. Several copies would be transmitted to other Societies by which they would become more generally known. He also stated, that persons joining the Society before the commencement of the second session in March, would be receiving without the payment of an entrance fee (which would afterwards be required) and be entitled to two copies of Mr. Morecroft’s valuable picture.
At the close of this meeting, the Chairman announced that next year, in consequence of the expenses of keeping the Society’s rooms supplied with proper appliances, and the consolidation of the Society, an entrance fee of five shillings, as originally proposed, will be required. The members will obtain the full value of their subscription in the photograph presented to them.
1854: LPJ Jan. 14, vol. I, #1, p. 6:
We hope to be able to furnish due notice of the Exhibition of Photographs, proposed to take place in Liverpool, during the visit of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, and which we have reason to believe may be honoured by a visit from her Majesty as it is understood that the same period of time will be selected for the opening of St. George’s Hall, an honour it is expected Her Majesty will confer upon Liverpool, and the present mayor, J. Buck Lloyd, Esq., who has been the chairman of the Courts of Law Committee.
1854: LPJ Jan. 14, vol. I, #1, p. 7-8:
Résumê of the operations of the Liverpool Photographic Society, from the commencement.
This Society was founded on Tuesday, the 22nd of March, 1853, at a meeting called together by advertisement, and at which Mr. J. A. Picton was called to the chair. Mr. Samuel Holme, then Mayor of Liverpool, was elected President; and the Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, joint-Secretaries, and Council, as appear on the second page [not located], were also appointed. The laws of the Society were established: the days of meeting determined the first Tuesday in every month; and the general course of proceedings declared accordingly.
The Second Meeting took place on the 5th of April, at which there was a great accession of members proposed and seconded, and after some Photographic intelligence, Mr. G.R. Berry read a Paper upon Collodion Negatives, in which he advocated the use of gallic acid in the silver bath.
The Third Meeting of the Society took place on the 3rd of May, at which, after the election of members, Mr. Mackinlay exhibited a folding camera and box, suitable for taking views in open country, and read a Paper describing it.
Mr. Knott read a Paper—“Practical Notes on Glass Positives.” Dr. Edwards and Mr. W. Barker exhibited some microscopical collodion specimens, and gave explanatory remarks on the mode of taking microscopical objects, and the adaptation of the camera to that purpose, the arrangement of which was also shewn.
The Council of the Society having secure3d a set of rooms for reading and operating in, a soireé was given on the 19th of May, to open them to the members.
The Fourth Sessional Meeting was held on the 2nd of June, when Mr. Frank Howard read a Paper upon “Photography in connexion with the Fine Arts,” which led to an animated discussion on the part of the practical members, Mr. Frith and Mr. Burgess, Mr. Newlands and Mr. Corey. Mr. C. Bell exhibited and described “A Plan for taking Stereoscopic Views in the open country.” Mr. Chadburn exhibited some beautiful Photographic views in Venice.
At the Fifth Meeting, on the 5th of July, Mr. G. R. Brrry [sic, Berry] read a Paper “On the use of double Glass Plates, and the entire substitution of Bromine for Iodine in the Collodion process.” Mr. J. A. Forrest exhibited three proofs of Mr. Niepce’s new system of Photographic engraving, forwarded by Mr. J. Murray, the English correspondent of the French Journal La Lumiere, who hoped soon to be able to forward specimens of Photographic Lithography.
Mr. Forrest also exhibited a camera slide frame, the inside of which was made of glass, with the view to permit the sensitive plate being affected by the absorption of the chemicals into the wood.
Mr. T. A. Humphries exhibited one of Mr. Mayall’s Crayon Photographs, and the chairman mentioned a suggestion by Mr. Frank Howard, that the art of Photography should be applied in assistance of the sciences of Physiognomy and Ethnology, by taking Photographs of individuals of the various foreigners who visited this port; and Mr. Mackinlay exhibited some specimens of Photographic printing without nitrate of silver, by which ladies may be enabled to produce copies of lace, crochet work, &c., in the most pleasing shades and colours, without danger of staining their fingers. He then described the modes of operation, and the chemicals used for the production of the various tints.
Conversazioni at the Society’s rooms, were fixed for Wednesday evenings in each week, to promote discussion on Photographic matters.
The Sixth Sessional Meeting was held on the 2nd of August. Mr. Wood, of the establishment of Abraham and Co., of Liverpool, exhibited a very complete “Portable apparatus for taking views in open country.”
Mr. Burgess exhibited an American Camera, with Knight’s and other improvements, and deswcribed some modifications he had personally found useful. Mr. Frank Howard read a Paper on the “Artistic distribution of light and shade.”
At the Seventh Meeting, 2nd of September, Mr. Foard read a Paper “Notes on the Daguerreotype,” followed by a discussion on the relative merits of the Daguerreotype and the Collodion process. After which, Mr. J. A. P. McBride read a Paper on “Photography in connexion with the Fine Arts,” on which some discussion also took place. Mr. G. R. Berry described a method he had found successful in strengthening negatives to print form; and Mr. J. A. Forrest described the method adopted at Glasgow to convert positives into negatives.
On the 4th of October the Eighth Meeting was held. Mr. G. R. Berry read “A Digest of Mr. Fox Talbot’s Patents.” Mr. Atkinson exhibited a Stereoscope Camera. Mr. J. A. Forrest exhibited and described a folding Camera for taking views in the open air by the collodion process, in a very portable form; and Mr. Keith exhibited specimens of positives taken on coloured glass by the collodion process.
Mr. Burgess exhibited a Camera, sent by Mr. Wilkinson, invented at Paris, to carry two lenses, so as to take the two views for the stereoscope at one time and on the same plate. It was called a quintoscope.
On the 24th of October the Society was invited to inspect the Photographic reports of the progress of the Crystal Palace, now erecting in Sydenham. Mr. T. C. Archer, the agent for the Sydenham Crystal Palace Company, had kindly consented to exhibit these Photographs, taken by Mr. Delamotte, amounting in number to nearly fifty, at the rooms of the Photographic Society, in Lord-street. On this occasion, Mr. Atkinson exhibited some large Photographs of Egyptian architecture, and scenes taken on albumenized paper.
The Ninth Sessional Meeting was held on the 1st of November, and was principally devoted to the consideration of the paper processes in Photography.
Mr. John Morecroft exhibited a great number of negatives, taken with nearly uniform success by Buckle’s process, and positives printed from them for the stereoscope as arranged by Professor Wheatstone. From these negatives a selection has been made, of which Mr. G. R. Berry has kindly offered to print positives, of which each member of this Society will be entitled to two. They are eight inches by seven, and of the most exquisite beauty—combining sharpness with ærial perspective to an extent very rarely seen.
Mr. Keith described the calotype process, in which he had been very successful.
Mr. G. R. Berry then described a course of proceeding with paper, which he had just discovered, of much more simple character than any hitherto described; which was perfectly effective, both for taking photographs by the camera and for printing; and the latter might be done by gas-light even better than by day-light. (It will be seen by the report of the January meeting, which appears at full length in this Journals, that Mr. G. R. Berry has modified his formulœ in a very slight degree. By this process will be printed the positives from Mr. John Morecroft’s negatives, for presentation to the members.
At this meeteing, Dr. Edwards exhibited some beautiful Photographs, taken on collodion, of a rare species of electric torpedo, the Torpedo nobiliana, recently caught at the mouth of the Dee. They were positive and negative, and of back and front of the fish.
Mr. Mackinlay exhibited some specimens of views taken by the collodion process, in which he had secure3d the greatest intensity in the blacks, in combination with the full development of the half tones, by the use of vegetable naptha. He also described some advantages he had obtained in printing by a wash of sea-water over the paper to commence with. Another first wash, composed of tartrate of antimony, salt, or sal ammoniac and water, he had found remarkably good.
He had also discovered that a weak negative, by printing through blue glass, would produce very effective positives.
He had also observed, that pictures taken very rapidly by the camera, required to be subjected a long time in the developing solution; but that a much shorter time was required for developing when the action of the camera was slower.
Mr. J. A. Forrest mentioned that Mr. McInnes had devoted a great deal of time to perfecting a portable apparatus for taking collodion negatives, and had also discovered a means of removing the collodion film—upon which a Photograph had been taken—from the glass, so as to obviate the necessity of carrying so many plates of glass—of which the weight and liability to breakage formed the principal objection or difficulty in making the collodion process convenient for carrying about.
Mr. Frith said that he had been successful in taking Photographs on collodion floated on waxed paper, which would obviate the necessity of carrying more than one plate of glass, or the removal of the film from the glass, which he thought would be very hazardous to the Photograph.
Mr. Burgess said he had taken Photographs on collodion floated on gutta percha, which he had no doubt would supersede either paper or glass.
The Tenth Meeting took place on the 6th of December, when the chairman congratulated the Society upon the great accession to their numbers—their register shewing one hundred and thirty-five members. The next session would commence on the 18th of March, when he had no doubt the Society would be still more increased, as each member enrolled in the interim would be entitled to the prints from Mr. John Morecroft’s Photographs.
Mr. Mackinlay exhibited a large folding camera, constructed for the paper process, in which considerable improvements had been effected upon the first that he had exhibited on the 3rd of May.
A discussion then followed upon the relative advantages of the collodion and paper processes, in which Mr. Forrest, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Mackinlay, and Mr. Chadburn took part.
Mr. Frank Howard mentioned the difficulty which existed in procuring suitable paper for any of the paper processes, except that of Mr. Berry, and expressed his opinion that the Photographers in general were disposed to look too much for sharpness; and he exhibited a drawing to shew the defects of too much hardness or distinctness in the individual objects.
On the 15th of December the members were invited to inspect some very large Photographs, taken on albumenized paper by Mr. Sanford, which were brought down from London, and exhibited by Dr. Edwards, who on behalf of Mr. Sanford, presented a set of prints from them to the Society.
The Eleventh Meeting forms the principal subject of this number of the Journal, and is reported at length.
1854: LPJ Jan. 14, vol. I, #1, p. 9-10:
Proceedings of the London Photographic Society.
Seventh Ordinary Meeting, Thursday, December 1st, 1853; Charles Bignolles, Esq., C.E., in the chair.
The Minutes of the last Meeting were read and confirmed.
The names of the members elected since the 3rd of November were read over, and their Election confirmed.
A list of Presents received by the Society since the last meeting was read, and the thanks of the Society voted to the donors thereof.
(Among them were especially noticeable a series of Photographs of very large size from M. Auer, of Vienna, and a beautiful series from M. Mayer, of Paris.)
The following Papers were read:--
1. Mr. Wenham, “On the Production of Enlarged Positives from Small negatives.”
2. Mr. Shadbolt, on the same subject.
3. Mr. W. Crookes, “On the Restoration of Old Collodion.”
4. Mr. Montefiore Levi, exhibited and describe ed an Instrument for rapidly opening and closing the Lens.
In the discussions which ensued, the Chairman, Messrs. Fenton, Foster, Hennah, Hunt, and the authors of the papers took the principal part. The thanks of the Society were separately voted to the authors of the communications.
The Chairman announced that the Council had made arrangements to open the Exhibition of Photographs, at the Gallery of British Artists, in Suffolk-street, on the 4th of January, 1854. The members of the Society were invited to contribute pictures promptly, and to afford their aid in securing the support of the public to the undertaking.
The Meeting was then adjourned until the 5th of January, 1854.
We append the Circular issued relative to the Exhibition:--
The Council will open a Photographic Exhibition on the 4th of January, at the Rooms of the Society of British Artists, Suffolk-street, Pall Mall.
The Exhibition will be open to all the world.
Negative Photographs on paper and glass; Positive Photographs on paper and glass, untouched or coloured; Daguerreotypes, plain and coloured, and Stereoscopic Pictures, will be admitted for exhibition.
Coloured Photographs will be admitted only when accompanied by a pure and untouched copy of the same Picture.
Positive Pictures, printed from “touched” or painted Negatives, must be described accordingly.
Every Picture sent in much be accompanied by the name and address of the Photographer or Exhibitor, by a description of the subject, and a statement of the method by which it has been produced.
It is recommended that all Pictures should be protected by glass, and for the sake of economizing space, that the margin of all mounted Photographs should be kept within moderate bounds.
Exhibitors desirous of selling their Pictures are requested to send with each Picture a statement of its price.
Photographic works intended for exhibition will be received at the Rooms, in Suffolk-street, from the 19th to the 26th of December.
Exhibitors and Members of the Society will have the privilege of free admission; members will also have the right to introduce one friend without payment.
The price of admission to the gallery will be one shilling. Catalogues sixpence.
By order of the Council.,
Roger Fenton, Hon. Sec.
The Exhibition was arranged in the rooms of the Society of British Artists, Suffolk-street, and on the morning of the 3rd of this month, was honoured by a visit from Her Majesty and H.R.H. Prince Albert, who, we understand are practical Photographers. They expressed themselves so much pleased, as to desire to possess some of the specimens displayed. We hope in our next number to give a criticism of the display, and perhaps to give some hints for our own Exhibition.
1854: LPJ Jan. 14, vol. I, #1, p. 12:
The Architectural and Archæological Society held their eighth sessional meeting on Wednesday last [Feb. 4], the President, Mr. C. Varelst in the chair. The evening was principally occupied by Mr. Duncan’s description of the drawings and places of the reservoirs and means of supply connected with the Rivington Pike Water Works, which were very much admired for engineering skill and judicious management. Mr. C. Varelst, at great length, gave judgment on the student’s designs for a church in the Palladium style. Some German designs for decorations of walls and ceilings were exhibited, but the discussion upon them, after a few remarks from Mr. H. P. Horner, Mr. J. A. Picton, Mr. Frank Howard, and the President, was postponed. Mr. Barry’s paper, “Notes on Neighbouring Churches,” was also reserved.
1854: LPJ Jan. 14, vol. I, #1, p. 12:
Mr. Ruskin in the third volume of his “Hours of Venice,” made some contradictory remarks upon Photography; and suggested that the engravers would be very soon greatly benefited by the copying entailed in the art of engraving, being superseded by Photography. With or without the idea of co-operating to this end, which he considers emancipation from “slavery,” though as we conceive only to substitute starvation. Mr. Ruskin, we hear, is about to repair to Venice, to make Photographs of Tintorettee pictures. Whatever we may think of his theories, Mr. Ruskin will thus, if successful, furnish a valuable contribution to the History of Painting.
1854: LPJ Feb. 11, vol. I, #2, p. 13: [Editorial comments]
We have the gratification of recording that our first efforts have been greeted with a kindly welcome from all parts of the Kingdom of Great Britain, and a friendly hand has also been extended to us from Ireland. In addition to the report of the last meeting of the Liverpool Photographic Society, we are able to redeem our promise of giving an extensive notice of the London Photographic Exhibition, which is of such a character as we hope will stimulate our local photographers to great exertions on behalf of the exhibition proposed to take place here in the autumn.
It will be seen by our advertising columns [not included in original volumes I reviewed] that Dundee will, in point of time take precedence of us, as the Committee of Management—which includes Lord Kinnaird, Sir David Brewster, and all the leading people of the neighbourhood—have resolved to open in the middle of March next, and continue the exhibition into the middle of April: the proceeds, after the payment of expenses, to be handed over to the Dundee Royal Infirmary. They invite and solicit the loan of specimens from the members of the Liverpool Photographic Society and elsewhere, and they have our good wishes in the course they are adopting. At Plymouth there has been a great gathering of the Devon and Cornwall Photographic Society. Everything concurs to rouse the energies of the members of the Liverpool Photographic Society, to enable them to hold a prominent position in the art when they will be subjected to the criticism of the British Association. The weather has not been favourable for photographers of the moon, but some few experiments, we hear, have been made with tolerable success.
We give in this number Mr. G. R. Berry’s two papers on the use of bromine, which he has consolidated into one, and carefully revised, forming one of the most valuable contributions to the chemistry of photography that has been made for a long time. Mr. Mackinlay’s Portable Camera, with explanatory diagrams, will also be found sufficiently useful to justify our giving it a place thus early in our Journal. To obviate any objection as to our being too scientific, we also give the commencement of a simple account of the process of photography, up to the placing of the collodion plate in the camera. This will be continued through the developing and fixing in a succeeding number. We also contemplate making our Journal in part an illustrated one, for such subscribers and purchasers as may choose to pay the additional price, by printing as many copies as may be ordered of a photograph each month, including which, the price of these illustrated copies of the Journal will be One Shilling. To carry out this object, we invite operators to send, for the inspection of the managers of this Journal, addressed to the Editor, at the Office, No. 16, Canning-place, custom-house, Liverpool, any negatives which they may be willing to allow to be printed for the purpose. Such as shall be deemed by the managers of the Journal sufficiently good, will be printed with the greatest care, giving all due honour to the original photographers. It is considered that in this way photographs may be interchanged among the operators with much gratification to themselves, and great advantage to the art. As we hope, with the assistance of our friends at a distance, to make this the Provincial Journal of Photographic Art, no pains will be spared on the part of the managers to make it worthy of such distinction; and one of them will set the example of providing a negative to furnish the illustrations for the next number, which will commence the second session of the Liverpool Photographic Society.
1854: LPJ Feb. 11, vol. I, #2, p. 14:
Devon and Cornwall Photographic Society.—A very interesting meeting—the first meeting—of this Society took placed in St. George’s Hall, Stonehouse, at which a great number of specimens of the various styles of Photography and Daguerreotype, with Stereoscopes, Microscopes, and Photographic apparatus, were exhibited, and some Photographs taken in the presence of the company by artificial light. The meeting was attended by all the most distinguished people in the neighbourhood, and gave great satisfaction to all who were able to be present. We intended giving a full report of the proceedings, but an extra pressure of matter compels us to be brief. Capt. R.E. Scott, the President of the Society, concluded the evening with a very admirable speech on Photography.
1854: LPJ Feb. 11, vol. I, #2, p. 14:
Photographs of the Moon.—We understand that Dr. Edwards and Mr. J. A. Forrest are engaged with Mr. Hartnup, at the Royal Observatory, in attempting to obtain Photographs of the Moon. In connection with this subject, we may refer such of our readers as take any interest in it to an article in the Dublin University Magazine of this month, on “The Lunar World and its Wonders,” of which, if our space would have admitted, we intended giving a short abstract. At present we can only say that it fixes 500 as the highest power that can be applied with advantage in obtaining Photographs of the Moon,--any higher power tending to distortion of form or indistinctness of detail.
1854: LPJ Feb. 11, vol. I, #2, p. 17-19:
The Exhibition of Photographs and Daguerreotypes, by the London Photographic Society.
We are enabled to give an original critique on the Exhibition of Photographs, in London, by one of our own members, who has very recently visited it.
The number of Photographs, of all kinds, from the Daguerreotype to Collodion, Wax-paper, Albumen, &c., nearly reaches one thousand specimens. These fill the large room of the gallery in Suffolk-street, as well as two small rooms at the south end. The centre of the large room is occupied by a number of stereoscopes of both kinds—the common form, and that of Mr. Wheatstone; specimens of exceedingly minute copies of prints and papers, with microscope to view them, sent by Mr. A. Rosling; Daguerreotypes and Calotypes, by Mr. Mayall; Photographs by Mr. A. Rosling; a Negative Photograph, by Mr. Sanford, taken on the 19th December, 1851; Etchings, by George Cruikshanks and Bartholomew, on glass, covered with Collodion and Gutta Percha, and printed by P. W. Fry, also on the 19th December, 1851; the first Protonitrate Positive upon glass, by Dr. Diamond; three Stereoscopic Pictures, taken from the actual head of Henry Grey, Duke of Suffolk (the father of Lady Jane Grey), who was beheaded in 1554; in which No. 2 shews the incision made by the first cut of the axe, the executioner having failed in severing the head at that blow, and requiring a second stroke for that purpose: the head has been preserved in a tanned state by the antiseptic properties of the vault in which it was deposited, at the Church of the Trinity, Minories, near the Tower of London. There are Collodion Positives by Mr. J. Rippingham. Five Portraits, collodion positives, by C. Rich; nine Stereoscopic Collodion Positives, by Stewart; a view of the Solent, from Osborne, Isle of Wight, on Collodion, by Dr. Becker, shewing the natural impression of Clouds; a Daguerreotype of a Snow Scene, by R. Low; a series of Photographs, to illustrate the various tints acquired by a shorter or longer exposure in the old hyposulphite of soda bath, by T. R. Williams, and some Prints from Steel Plates, which have been etched by the bitumen process of M. Niepce, by Bisson, exhibited by Mr. Solomon.
These are arranged on screens and stands. From end to end, the walls are covered with Photographs, indiscriminately mingled, rather with a view to the general effect of the exhibition, than to scientific classification, or experimental comparison of the various methods employed. The most striking example on entering the room is a very large Calotype, from a negative on iodized paper, by E. Baldus, a view of the Amphitheatre at Nimes. It is about three feet six inches long, perfect in perspective, rather reddish in tone, but very minute in detail, and altogether a very favourable example of the power to prepare representations on a large scale by Photography. It is probably enlarged from a smaller view, taken by means of the camera, but the catalogue does not give us any information on the subject. There are three or four large copies of busts, two of them life-size, by Counsellor Auer, exhibited by the Photographic Society, which are also very favourable instances of the capabilities of Photography to produce works of large size; though we cannot think that the subjects in the last mentioned examples are such as to do justice to the peculiar advantages afforded by the Photographic art. Counsellor Auer’s are from negatives on wax-paper, the tints very solid and even in quality, too much so indeed to afford the brilliancy that is required for such large work. The painters find as they increase their work in size they are obliged to open the texture of their execution, or the shadows will become heavy, and the middle tints vapid or dirty, as they may be light or dark.
There are a number of copies of engravings of various degrees of merit, by P. Delessert and Mr. Aguado, some from negatives on wax-paper, some from collodion, others from the talbotype, which in these instances appears to have been the most successful. There is a beautiful copy of a crayon drawing, by G. Richmond, printed from a negative or collodion, by C. T. Thompson; Mr. James Contencin has also been successful in applying the same process to the same purpose, but we cannot speak so favourably of his copies of pictures. Sir Thomas M. Wilson has been more successful in his calotype and talbotype copies of pictures by McIan. There is a very good copy, by Bisson Brothers, of the Hundred Builder print, from one of Rembrandt’s etchings, so called, because a single impression of the original was sold for that sum; but by what process the copy is produced is not mentioned. Mr. F. Bedford exhibits some copies of the lithographic prints, from Robert’s Sketches in the Holy Land; but, except as trial of skill, these cannot be considered an advisable proceeding in photography Copies of rare or valuable engravings, such as the Hundred Guilder print and the Annunciation to the Shepherds, by Bisson, on collodion, also from Rembrandt, are very legitimate exercises for the art; but not such works as are existing on stones or plates, and capable of being produced in a direct way as perfectly by another process. The substitution should be for the labour or skill in copying on to the stone or plate, where the labour of placing it there has been undergone. The object of the Photograph from the original drawing, as in Mr. C. T. Thompson’s beautiful reproduction of Mr. Richmond’s head, is to avert the risk of error in copying, by the lithographic draughtsman or the engravers. If they have been successful, the Photographic copy of their work will not be superior to the original; if they have made any error, or failed in any part, the Photographic copy will not remedy or remove them. On the other hand, in this exhibition, there are some beautiful specimens of Photo-Lithography of Architecture, by Mr. Lesecq, from wax paper negatives, and of the stained glass windows in Cologne Cathedral, by Marable, on the same method; and of Photographic engravings upon steel, of objects of natural history, from collodion negatives, by Bisson Brothers, which are exquisite in detail and completeness, and obviating the possibility of mistake or error, form the most legitimate and most valuable exercise of Photographic art.
The Rev. W. J. Kingsley and Counsellor Auer exhibit some admirable examples of the application of Photography to the microscope, from negatives or wax paper; and we think we saw some reproductions of similar microscopic objects by the Photo-Chalcographic process, than which nothing could be a more fitting application of Photographic art, as human eyes and human hands can scarcely be minute enough, and certainly cannot be adequately remunerated for the work, if they have the power to prepare it. In one instance the Rev. W. J. Kingsley has been very successful in obtaining Photographs of microscopic objects by artificial light, on wax paper negatives.
Mr. C. T. Thompson and Mr. F. Bedford have applied the collodion process very satisfactorily, in general, to still life, articles of furniture, plate, and vertu, which are never worth wasting the time and talents of an artist upon to produce the accuracy that usually constitutes their chief value.
The Count de Montizon has devoted his operations in the collodion process to the equally legitimate and valuable, though far more difficult, task of fixing indisputable representations of living objects of natural history, at the Zoological Gardens, regent’s Park, London. The back grounds sometimes interfere with these otherwise admirable specimens of Photography, as the handmaid to science and the embodiment of truth.
Some of the Photographic reports of the engineering constructions in Russia, by Mr. C. Vignoles, taken by Roger Fenton, and of the progress of the Crystal Palace, at Sydenham, taken by Mr. C. Delamotte, exhibits another highly valuable application of Photographic art as preserving an indisputable record of facts.
Mr. William Crookes—to whom the art is indebted for a very effectual process of waxed paper, and the means of restoring deteriorated collodion, referred to in our last number—exhibits the results of some experiments on light by means of Photography, which may be of great importance. He first gives a drawing of the solar spectrum; then the effect produced by throwing the spectrum on a sensitive surface of iodide of silver, and developing. [section omitted about the spectrum.]
Mr. W. Crookes’ Photographic copies of the phenomena of polarised light in crystals of nitrate of potassa [sic], andof calcareous spar, though interesting, do not appear to bear so directly on the progress of Photography, though the difference of effect on iodide of silver producing the normal figure, and on bromide of silver producing an abnormaq figure, may suggest a hint to our scientifically inquisitive readers.
The applications of Photography to portraiture and to landscape and architecture, as might be expected, are very numerous. Mr. Roger Fenton takes the lead in point of quantity and variety of subject, and many of the specimens are of very high quality. But the large Photographs of the cloisters of St. Trophimus, at Artes, and other architectural views by M. Baldus, must be admitted to surpass him; and in the instance of Burnham Beeches, Sir W. Newton has been more successful. Mr. Hennah’s portrait are the best in the exhibition, excepting a frame of exquisite productions—portraits and groups—from collodion negatives, by the Ladies Neville. The Hon. H. Kerr also takes a distinguished position with a view of the High-street, Guildford, and three other views in Surrey, from Talbotype negatives, which are first-rate. Viscount Vigier exhibits a number of large views in the Pyrenees, many of them of high character; but our space will not allow of special comment in this number of our Journal, either on these or numberless beautiful examples by Mr. Rosling, Mr. Owen, Mr. Sedgefield [sic], Dr. Diamond, and the other distinguished Photographers who have contributed to make this exhibition so attractive and interesting. We should warn our readers that it will close at the end of the month, as the galleries will be required for other purposes.
1854: LPJ March 11, #3, p. 42:
Application of Photography by her Majesty.—It is stated that Her Majesty has recently put Photography to a valuable use, in desiring to have Photographs taken of the Esquimaux family, who were presented to her at Windsor Castle.
1854: LPJ April 8, #4, p. 52:
Stereoscopic Views of the Moon.—We have just seen a stereoscopic view of the moon, produced and printed from collodion negatives, by members of the Liverpool Photographic Society. The effect is perfect, and the various craters, mountains, &c. stand out in bold relief. This may lead to some new ideas, as to the causes of the stereoscopic effect.
1854: LPJ Oct. 14, #10, p. 139:
Photographic Exhibition at the Royal Institution.
By the aid of friends and well-wishers the Liverpool Photographic Society have been enabled to collect a considerable number of Works in Photography, in their new rooms at the Royal institution, most of them being of the highest class in the respective methods of operation. All processes are here well represented—Albumen and Collodion on Glass—Wax-paper, Albumenized Paper, and Talbotype or Calotype, Positives and Prints from negatives; single Photographs and Stereoscopic pairs, Portraits, Landscapes, Works of Art and Natural History, to the number of 400 specimens, agreeably arranged in three rooms at the back of the Royal Institution, with a good entrance in Seel-street [sic]; open from nine till five in the day, and from seven till nine, lighted by gas, in the evening.
Press of matter, which compels us to add four pages to our number, will permit our giving more than a hasty glance round the rooms, which are well worthy of attentive study.
In the first room we have Wax-paper. Mr. How’s process, admirably illustrated by Mr. Sheridan, in Skipton Station, Ilkley Castle, Bolton Abbey, &c. Prints from Collodion Negatives by Mr. Robinson: “A Lake,” and “Chester Cemetery.” Calotype by Mr. Cartwright, of Preston: “The Fire Engine Station,” at that place. The Calotype, (Buckle’s process,) by our own valued member, Mr. Morecroft; in “Quarry Bank,” “Country Inn,” and a “View on the Avon.” Albumenized Glass, by Negretti: “Views of the Crystal Palace,” singularly beautiful. Wax-paper, by Mr. W. J. Cox, of Devonport, wonderfully minute and distinct. Collodion Positives, by Mr. Corey and Mr. Knott; and a “Lake Scene,” sent in by Mr. Atkinson, called La Margeride, we believe also on albumenised glass, in which the reflections are very finely rendered.
In the second room, which is the best lighted, we have a frame of Prints from Collodion Negatives, by Mr. Tunny, of Edinburgh, of which the centre specimen—a view of Edinburgh, from the Calton Hill—is very beautiful. A number of exquisite Positives on Collodion, by Mr. Lee, of Shaw-street, including a Portrait of Mr. Bishop, of the collegiate Institution, which is as fine as anything we have ever seen. Four beautiful Photographs from Collodion Negatives, by Mr. Delamotte, Views of the Interior of the Crystal Palace at Sydenham, two very large; Mr. Rosling’s exquisite specimens of the Calotype, Buckle’s process; Mr. Morcroft’s Stereoscopic Views, by the same process; Mr. Sheridan, from Wax-paper and Collodion Negatives, Views and Groups of Portraits, remarkably happy; many of Mr. Buckle’s own; some by Mr. Archer, the first to use Collodion, Mr. Johnson, of Blackburn, Mr. Forrest, Mr. Keith, Mr. Foard, Mr. Mayall, of London; one as large as life and coloured, with crayons, which we have noticed elsewhere; Mr. Millichap represents Daguerreotype in some large Portraits.
In the third room we have Stereoscopic specimens of beautiful effect by Mr. T. R. Williams, of London, taken by the Talbotype; Mr. Sanford’s Wax-paper examples, of large size and elaborate detail; Mr. Carr’s beautiful Views of Rome and other parts of Italy, printed from Albumenized Glass; a few examples of Townshend’s process by Mr. Berry and Mr. Corey; Collodion by Dr. Cauty; and other specimens by Mr. Forrest, Mr. Pedder, M. Teynard, Mr. Crabb Creeke,& c.—altogether forming a most interesting and instructive exhibition.
1854: LPJ Nov. 11, #11, p. 146:
Photography. (From Cosmos, 21st October, 1854.)
“Photography has not been wanting at the Congress of the different branches of Science and Industry which has taken place at Liverpool; it has shone with great brilliancy: for one of the principal results of that splendid reunion has been the exhibition of the beautiful photographs of the moon, taken by Messrs. Hartnup, Forrest, Edwards and Berry, and of which we have already spoken. An immense linen cloth or screen, fifty feet square, was extended in front of one of the balconies of the gallery: on the balcony (opposite) was placed a magic lantern, illuminated by that brilliant light, were projected on the screen, aggrandised to enormous proportions. They were in sufficient number to represent our satellite in all her phases from the new moon to the full; and the numerous audience, by the aid of the explanations of Messrs. Hartnup and Phillips, were enabled to make a complete study of the astonishing peculiarities of that surface, bristling with craters and volcanic mountains. Everybody admired a full moon as truly astonishing, and which covered almost the whole of the vast screen without losing its sharpness. Nevertheless we have regretted that the difficulty of obtaining positives on albumen compelled them to content themselves with negatives or inverse images.
Photography is cultivated with ardour at Liverpool: the numerous amateurs of that great city have constituted themselves into a very flourishing society, which publishes, like the Photographic Society or London, a monthly journal, which will be found dans les salons du Cosmos. It has, among other things, organised an exhibition truly remarkable, where we may see the chefs-d’œuvre of Archer, Diamond, Delamotte, Mayall, Williams, &c., &c. We have been struck with the beauty of the positives on collodionized glass by a young artiste of Liverpool, Mr. William Keith, of Castle-street. They will bear comparison with the most beautiful portraits on plate (query Daguerreotype or engraving? Ed.) and are obtained with extraordinary rapidity. Mr. Keith was quite willing to operate before us, without concealing anything, and he has promised to send us a complete description of his method for publication.
Mr. Berry, the director of the magnificent establishment for Pharmacy in Colquitt-street, an establishment with which there is nothing to compare in London or in Paris, and which is one of the wonders of Liverpool, exhibited to the Association some excellent negatives on collodion, obtained by the process of strengthening of which we give the formula.
Mr. Wenham brought some perfect Photographs of microscopic objects, obtained directly by the focus of an ordinary microscope with considerable enlargement, by an entirely novel arrangement of lenses.
Mr. Samuel Highly, of London, in a lecture, listened to with the greatest interest, described a most ingenious contrivance, by the aid of which the Photographic apparatus, on board a ship at full sail, could produce Photographic images of fixed objects situate on the sea or on its shores. He has also brought important perfectionnements to the difficult art of Photographic reproduction of microscopic objects for the study of anatomy and physiology. Mr. Deane exhibited the stereoscope with cosmoramic lenses, already described in the pages of Cosmos by Mr. Knight.
We had been charged by Mr. Ferrier to offer to the British Association large Photographs on paper representing views in France and Italy, obtained by means of negatives on albumen, and we cannot describe the wonder they excited. Mr. Fox Talbot, the illustrious inventor of Photography on paper, repeated to us many times that he had never seen any more perfect: that they were for him the beau ideal. It is in contemplating these apparently chefs-d’œuvre that we appreciate the service which M. Niépce de Saint Victor has rendered to the art, by the discovery of the properties of albumen. Why is it that some one has not yet given to this precious substance the only quality it wants, rapidity of impression? The stereoscopic views on albumenized glass, by M. Ferrier, were perhaps yet more admired, because no one at Liverpool knew how to imitate them, although Photographs on paper have been obtained with collodion, which, like those of Messrs. Bisson Bros., at Paris, rival the large prints obtained with albumen by M. Ferrier.”
The remainder of the paper consists in some remarks upon the Craig telescope, twenty-four inches aperture, and seventy-seven feet focal length, but which unfortunately is not perfect nor hung equatorially, and on the mode adopted in taking Photographs of the moon.
A translation of Mr. Berry’s paper on collodion negatives is also appended.