1853 JOURNAL OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
“THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNAL” Vol. 1
Ver: Jan. 31, 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.
--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.
--Spelling and typos: Nineteenth-century spellings occasionally differs from currently accepted norms. In addition, British spellings also differ from American useage. 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.
-- 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. On the other hand, when technical subjects are short and mingled in with brief articles, the entire text has been copied. In short, 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 as when a titled person assumes the Chair or Presidency of an organization. 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.
1853: Journal of the Photographic Society [London], March 3, vol. 1, #1, p. 1-2:
Introductory Address.
The object of the Photographic Society is the promotion of the Art and Science of Photography, by the interchange of thought and experience among Photographers, and it is hoped this object may, to some considerable extent, be effected by the periodical meetings of the Society.
But, without a medium for the publication of the proceedings at these meetings, the end in view would be after all but imperfectly attained. The Council of the Photographic Society have therefore decided to publish a Journal, of which the first number appears to-day. Under the more general title of “Photography” are included of course, “Daguerreotypes,” “Talbotypes,” and all processes whereby images are developed by the agency of light.
It has been with some hesitation that the form of publication selected has been decided upon. The Council might have been satisfied that they had discharged their duties by forwarding to the Members privately an abstract of the proceedings at each meeting of the Society, rather than have launched at once, in the somewhat ambitious form of a public journal.
The daily growing interest thought every part of the world respecting Photography—the very great number of persons who came forward to join the Society the moment the intention was announced—the success of the recent exhibition of Talbotypes at the Society of Arts, which has already created a demand for similar exhibitions throughout all the principal towns of the United Kingdom—the character of the correspondence already commenced, and the facility with which the Journal may be circulated through the post—have all combined to lead to the adoption of this form of publication.
Already one popular weekly periodical has devoted a portion of its columns to Photographic notes and queries [Note: Johnson lists title as “Notes and Queries “and dates 1852-4. Not yet located] : and no less than two weekly journals in Paris have put forward Photography as a leading feature of their publications.
The Council believe that they have decided rightly, and that the publication of the “Journal of the Photographic Society” will receive not only the approval of the Members, but the support of Photographers in general.
The Council appeal with confidence to all lovers of this exquisitely beautiful art for their earnest co-operation, to enable the success of the Journal to be ensured, which can only be done by the cordial assistance of all who patronize or practice Photography.
It is not purposed that the Journal should be restricted to the publication of the proceedings of the Society, but that it shall be open to the correspondence of Photographers, and shall contain, from time to time, a report of the progress of Photography both at home and abroad, with full translations of such papers as may appear especially interesting.
The papers approved by the Council and read before the Society will be published either in abstract or printed in extensor, as may appear desirable, and an account will be appended of the discussions which may occur at the meetings.
Notices of interesting publications relating to the objects of the Society will be given, and lists of all papers and works on the Photographic Art will be collected, in which they hope for the active assistance of the Members.
The Council in concluding must apologize for the imperfection of the first number of the Journal, which has been prepared hastily, in their anxiety to provide without further delay a means of communication between all Photographers. If sufficient support be given to this, their first attempt, it is the intention of the Council to publish Monthly.
1853: JPS, March 3, vol. 1, #1, p. 2-5:
Inaugural Meeting of the Photographic Society.
A number of Gentlemen engaged in Photographic pursuits having met together at different periods of the Spring and Autumn of last year [1852], formed themselves into a Provisional Committee with a view of organizing a Society of those to whom such a re-union would be acceptable. The labours of this Committee were carried on until the beginning of the present year, when it was determined to call a Public Meeting, for which purpose Circulars were issued on behalf of the Committee by Mr. Roger Fenton, the Honorary Secretary, and Advertisements were inserted in the papers.
The result of this Public Meeting was the Inauguration of the Photographic Society. The Council, then appointed, having resolved on the establishment of a Monthly Journal to record the Proceedings and Communications, think it due to the Provisional Committee, as well as to the numerous body who attended the Inaugural Meeting, that a formal notice of the Proceedings should appear in the first Journal of the Society.
The Council take this opportunity of recording and expressing their obligations to the Society of Arts for the assistance afforded, especially in the continued gratuitous use of the Great Room for the Monthly Meetings of the Photographic Society, as well as for the temporary use of private rooms for the deliberations of the Council.
At a Public and numerous Meeting [sic] of persons interested in Photography, called by Advertisement in the principal papers, held in the Great Room of the Society of Arts, John Street, Adelphi, on Thursday the 20th of January, 1853,
Sir Charles Eastlake, P.R.A., in the Chair,
To which he was called unanimously, Mr. Roger Fenton, Honorary Secretary to the Provisional Committee, read the Advertisement:--
“Photographic Society. A Public Meeting to inaugurate this Society will be
held at the house of the Society of Arts, John Street, Adelphi, on Thursday, the 30th January, at 4 p.m.
All persons taking interest in the formation of the Society are invited to attend.”
Sir Charles Eastlake, President of the Royal academy, opened the Proceedings with the following Address:--
“Ladies and Gentlemen,--It may be necessary to state, for the information of some who are present, that the Chair of the proposed Photographic Society, was for obvious reasons, offered, in the first instance, to Mr. Fox Talbot; and it was only in the event of that gentleman declining to undertake the office, that I consented, if I could be of use to the Society, to occupy the Chair for a limited time. As yet, however, the President, together with the Vice-Presidents, Members of Council and other Officers, are nominated only, subject to your approval, and you are now assembled for the purpose of deciding on those and other questions embodied in the resolutions which will be submitted to you.,
“The formation of a Society, to be called the Photographic Society, will be the first subject for your consideration. I conceive it to be unnecessary in an assembly like this, to say one word on the uses and advantages of Photography both to Science and to Art, but I think it right on this occasion to remind you that we owe the invention of that form and application of the method which have already been carried to such perfection in this country, to the gentleman I have already named,--to Mr. Fox Talbot; and to him we are also indebted for the liberality with which he has thrown open his invention to the enterprise of men of science, of amateurs and of artists. The idea of a Society having for its object the cultivation and promotion of this process and of its various applications, was conceived, and has been reduced to a form waiting only for your sanction, by some individuals now present; and to them our best thanks are due for the zeal and exertions they have displayed in bringing the elements of the Association to their present issue. Let me be permitted also, in the name of all who are interested in these proceedings, to express our acknowledgements to the Council of the Society of Arts for the great assistance they have so liberally afforded us by allowing us for the present the use of their rooms. I will not detain you by any detailed account of the steps which have led to the course now taken, as I should, in so doing, be anticipating a Report about to be read by the Honorary Secretary: to that Report I now invite your attention, previously to your voting on the Resolutions to be proposed to you.”
Mr. Fenton read the following Report of the Provisional Committee:--
“The want of a centre of union is not now felt for the first time among photographers. Attempts were made at an early period in the history of the art to establish some kind of cooperation among those who were devoting their attention to this study. At that time, however, the number of persons so engaged was so limited, that no organization of an extensive character was possible. A club, however, was formed, and meetings were periodically held at the houses of members of it, and it is beyond a doubt that the progress of the art was thereby much advanced, and many of the difficulties which we should otherwise have now to encounter were cleared out of the way. Some of the gentlemen forming part of that club have rendered the most effective assistance in the construction of what we may now call a permanent Photographic Society. In the winter of 1851-2, it appeared as if the time were come for more vigorous exertions. The impulse given by the Great exhibition had so increased the number of photographers, and the art itself had, by the competition and comparison which that exhibition induced, been so improved, that it was evident it was about to enter into a new phase of its history. The formation of a Society in Paris, showing the views of our neighbours as to the necessity of methodical cooperation, was an additional confirmation of the opinions entertained as to the necessity of an English Photographic Society. With these views a committee was formed, and met for the first time at the office of the Art Journal. At the very threshold of their undertaking they were met by a difficulty arising from the existence of a patent taken out by Mr. Talbot, the inventor of the art. To do away with this difficulty, a meeting was arranged between Mr. Talbot and the committee, and the subject was thoroughly discussed, with an earnest desire on the part of the committee and the patentee to arrive at a satisfactory arrangement. Unfortunately an independent Society was found incompatible with the existence of the patent, and the committee was therefore adjourned sine die. In the course of the proceedings, however, there was shown so strong a feeling in the public mind as to the desirableness of a society, and the number of persons willing to join was so considerable, that the committee foresaw that their present failure could only be of a temporary kind. It was now obvious that at this time the existence of the patent was the great obstacle, not only to the formation of the society, but to the improvement of the art itself. Few were willing to spend much time and labour upon an art, upon the study of which they were told they had no right to enter without permission. As it was known that Mr. Talbot’s object in taking out a patent had been principally to establish definitively his claim to the invention, it was resolved to represent all these circumstances to him. Sir C. Eastlake and Lord Rosse, as the official representatives of art and science in this country, kindly undertook to be the exponents of the general feeling; and on the receipt of a letter from them, Mr. Talbot abandoned the patent so far as was possible consistently with existing engagements. No difficulty now remained, and accordingly at the commencement of the present season the committee was called together again, and a society constituted, which we are now met formally to inaugurate.”
After the reading of this Report,--It was moved by Sir William J. Newton.—
“That a Society be now established to be called ‘The Photographic Society.’”
Mr. Hunt, in seconding the motion, dwelt at some length on the importance and even the necessity of a Society to ensure the future progress of Photography. He considered such an Association of practical men would be the best and most efficient mode of publishing and comparing the results of their numerous mutual trials, and pave the way for new discoveries. However rapid and satisfactory may have been the improvements in this science, much yet remained to be done. Reference was made to several phænomena, hitherto unexplained and still obscure, attendant on the results of photographic operations; for instance, it is known that the prepared paper is not acted upon by the yellow rays, while these rays do act upon glass prepared with collodion. No doubt very considerable progress had been made in perfecting the sensivility of the substances employed; but a still greater perfection has yet to be attained before certain desirable results can be ensured. Thus, he did not consider that we had yet arrived at the discovery of any process sufficiently instantaneous to fix on the Photograph a representation of the movement of the waves. The white foam of the breakers is generally merely represented by a bright spot, instead of appearing in its true character of light transparent humid gauze*
(*This remark from Mr. Hunt led, towards the close of the Meeting, to a very
interesting communication from a gentleman just arrived from Scotland, who had
brought with him some remarkably fine sea views, obtained upon glass. In these
views the foam of the waves is admirably represented, and in the Stereoscope the
illusion is complete. The attention of the Meeting was drawn most forcibly to this
new and important improvement, which excited the interest in the highest degree.
Inquiries were naturally made from every one if the collodion employed to obtain
such views was the same as that in general use. The exhibitor of these views
replied, that he had prepared the collodion himself, and from his remarks it is
inferred that wheatstraw entered into the composition. We much regret that we
could not obtain the name of the gentleman who exhibited these remarkable sea-
views. The Editor of the Paris Photographical Review, “La Lumière,” in
reporting the proceedings of this Inaugural Meeting, observes that “the fine views
by Baron Gros, taken of the Port of Athens, sufficiently prove that this most
admirable effect (of the waves) may be very successfully obtained.”)
Mr. Hunt in continuation called the attention of the Meeting to the very important desideratum of greater care in the construction of object-glasses, and he felt that the formation of this Society would have a very favourable effect on this important branch of the photographic art.
Mr. Peter Le Neve Foster said, that he had been deputed, with Dr. Playfair and Dr. Booth, by the Council of the Society of Arts, to bring the following resolutions, passed at a recent meeting of the Council, as suggestions, before the meeting:--
1st. “Feeling strongly convinced that the various branches of science and art are, to a very great extent, dependent upon, and intimately connected with, each other, and that the multiplication of societies for special objects, in any branch of the applied sciences, is not generally desirable, inasmuch as it tends to separate, rather than unite, for the advancement of a special object, the labours of individuals; and finding that steps are being taken by several of the leading photographers for the formation of a Photographic Society; the Council of the Society of Arts are of opinion that the objects contemplated by that proposed Society are intimately connected with those which for many years past have received the especial attention of the Society of Arts; and that, therefore, it is desirable to suggest to the gentlemen engaged in this direction, whether the progress of photography may not be as effectually advanced by means of the existing machinery of the Society of Arts.”
2nd. “That in the event of this suggestion being adopted, the Council will be cordially prepared to devote funds, rooms, officers and publications, with such other facilities as may be necessary for the full development of photographic art, by the organization of a special department, under the direction of a photographic committee.”
Mr. A. Smee concurred in the view adopted by the Council of the Society of Arts.
Sir William Newton thought it essential for the Artist that there should be a separate independent Photographic Society.
Mr. Vignoles spoke strongly in favour of the principle of forming the Society as a perfectly independent body.
The suggestion made from the Society of Arts was not embodied into a substantive Amendment, as it evidently was not in consonance with the feelings of the great body of the Meeting.
The resolution moved by Sir Wm. Newton was then again put from the Chair, and carried with only a few dissentients.
1st. “That a Society be now established to be called ‘The Photographic Society.’”
Mr. Fenton then read a series of Rules drawn up by the Provisional Committee for the government of the Society.
It was mobbed by Mr. Fry and seconded by Dr. Percy (after slight alterations now introduced), and carried unanimously,
2nd. “That the following Rules for the Government of the Photographic Society be adopted.”
RULES OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY.
1. That the Society shall consist of a Council of ordinary and of honorary Members.
2. That the Council, of whom five shall be a quorum, shall comprise a President, three Vice-Presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and nineteen other Members.
3. That The Council shall have the management of the affairs of the Society, giving to a General Meeting account of their proceedings.
4. That the Council shall have the power of calling a General Meeting whenever they shall think fit.
5 That upon the presentation of a requisition, signed by twenty Members of the Society, the Council shall be required to call a General Meeting.
6. That the President, one of the Vice-Presidents, and one-third of the Council shall go out of office annually, and shall not be re-eligible till after the expiration of one year.
7. That during the first year, the choice of those who are to retire shall be determined by unfrequency of attendance; afterwards two shall retire by seniority, three by unfrequency of attendance.
8. That the Annual Meeting for the Election of Officers shall be held on the first Thursday in February, at 4 p.m.
9. That Ladies shall be eligible as Members of the Society.
10. That Honorary Members shall be distinguished foreign cultivators of the art or science of Photography.
11. That during the first season all applications for admission to the Society shall be adopted or withdrawn, subject to the recommendation of the Council.
12. That, afterwards, proposed Members shall be balloted for, and that one black ball in five shall exclude.
13. That the Admission Fee shall be one guinea; the Annual Subscription, one guinea.
14. That any member, on his election or subsequently, by the payment of ten guineas, may compound for all future payments, and become a Member for life.
15. That the subscription shall be payable in advance, at the beginning of each season.
16. That the Meetings of the Society shall be held at the house of the Society of Arts, on the first Thursday in every month, from November to June, at the hour of 8 p.m.
17. That at these Meetings communications shall be read from Members, and Specimens exhibited; but that no communications shall be read, unless previously approved of by the Council.
18. That there shall be a Photographic gallery, at which Members may exhibit Pictures for sale.
19. That on the sale of any Picture so exhibited, 10 per cent. of the proceeds shall be paid into the funds of the Society.
20. That no alteration of the laws shall be made, except at a General Meeting, and unless noticed of the proposed change shall have been sent to the Secretary ten days before, and have been placed in the rooms of the Society;--Provided, however, that the Council have power to make any necessary alterations or additions to the laws, temporarily, subject to confirmation at the next General Meeting.
21. That no question shall be discussed at a General Meeting, of which previous notice has not been duly given.
It was moved by Mr. Shadbolt, seconded by Mr. Kater, and carried unanimously,--
3rd. “That the following gentlemen be elected as members of the Council for the ensuing year:”—
President.
Sir Charles Eastlake, P.R.A.
Vice-Presidents.
Earl Somers
Sir William J. Newton
Charles Wheatstone, Esq., F.R.S.
Members.
Dr. Becker
L. Berger, Esq.
Rev. G. Bridges.
H. Diamond, Esq., M.D.
Roger Fenton, Esq., Hon. Secretary
Peter Le Neve Foster, Esq., M.A.
Peter W. Fry, Esq.
T. M. Goodeve, Esq.
Robert Hunt, Esq.
Rev. C. Jones
J. D. Lewellyn, Esq.
Neville Maskelyne, Esq.
A. Maconochie, Esq.
Count de Montizon
H. Owen, Esq.
John Percy, Esq., M.D., F.R.S.
A. Rosling, Esq., Treasurer
Capt. Scott, R.N.
G. Shaw, Esq.
Charles Vignoles, Esq.
Sir Thomas Wilson, Bart.
The following Resolutions were then duly moved, seconded, and carried unanimously;--
4th. “That the cordial thanks of the Meeting be and are hereby given to the Council and Society of Arts for the great assistance they have afforded to the Provisional Committee in the formation of the Society, and for affording the use of their rooms for this Meeting and for the Meetings of the Council; and that the offer of the Society of Arts, ‘of the use of their Great Room for the ordinary evening monthly meetings of the Photographic Society for the present season,’ be thankfully accepted.”
5TH. “That the thanks of the Meeting be and are hereby given to the Provisional Committee for their preliminary labours in the formation of the Society.”
6th. “That the thanks of the Meeting be and are hereby given to Sir Charles Eastlake, President of the Royal Academy, for his able conduct in the Chair.”
The President returned thanks, and before declaring the Meeting dissolved, announced that the first ordinary Meeting would take place on Thursday February 3rd, at 8 p.m., in the Great Room of the Society of Arts, and that Members have the privilege of introducing two visitors.
1853: JPS, March 3, vol. 1, #1, p. 5:
Photographic Society. First Ordinary Meeting. Thursday, February 3rd, 1853.
The first Ordinary General Monthly Evening Meeting of the Society was held in the great Room of the Society of Arts.
Sir William J. Newton, Vice-President, in the Chair.
After the formal proceedings, the following papers were read:--
1. Sir William J. Newton, Upon Photography in an Artistic View, and in its relations to the Arts. [printed but not transcribed]
2. Mr. Fenton, Upon the Mode in which it was advisable the Society should conduct its Labours. [printed but not transcribed]
3. Dr. Percy, Upon the Waxed-paper process as applicable to Hot Climates [printed but not transcribed]
4. Mr. Vignoles made a few remarks in illustration of the great services which the new Art would be likely to render to engineers and other having to superintend important works which they could only occasionally visit, or having to make intelligible to foreign employers speaking a different language, with whom they could interchange ideas only imperfectly in conversation, the de4tasils of blocks and ropes, and complicated constructions. He instanced the pictures taken of the works now going on at Kieff for the suspension bridge he was erecting for the Emperor of Russia, over the Dnieper, on which photographic views had been taken weekly during the whole time of its construction, and especially of the method of raising the chain from the first tightening of the ropes to the final elevation of the whole to its proper position, which have been shown with the greatest accuracy and detail.
After the reading of the Papers some specimens chiefly of Wood Scenery taken by Sir Wm. J. Newton were exhibited. The positives were almost all printed by the negative process.
The President announced that the next Ordinary Meeting would be held in the Great Room of the Society of Arts, on Thursday March the 3rd.
1853: JPS, March 3, vol. 1, #1, p.12:
Photographic Exhibition.
The Council of the Photographic Society have much pleasure in publishing the following Circular, sent by the Society of Arts to the Exhibitors.
Society of Arts, Adelphi, London,
February 2md. 1853
Sir,
In announcing the close of the Photographic Exhibition, I am directed by the Council of the Society of Arts to convey to you their best thanks for the kind assistance you rendered, by the contribution of several most interesting specimens. The Exhibition has been eminently attractive and successful, so successful indeed that the Council are reluctant that the advantages to be derived from such a collection should be allowed to stop here. Believing as they do, that the interest which this Exhibition has excited, is no passing fancy, and further, that the attention the Art is now receiving from persons in all grades of society cannot fail to give a stimulus to it, by increasing the number of its followers, and by enlarging the sphere of its operations, as yet only partially discovered, they are desirous to form a collection which might be exhibited throughout the United Kingdom at the different Literary and Scientific Institutions and Mechanics’ Institutes in union with this Society, and which Union now numbers 250 such Institutions.
The Council are of opinion that this Union offers peculiar facilities for affording to the provincial public the privileges lately enjoyed by the metropolitan public, of which they so readily availed themselves. But to do this, the Council will again have to trespass on the kindness and even the liberality of Photographers. I am therefore to ask whether you would be disposed to lend or present to the Society, for such an object, a specimen or specimens of your productions, with a view to the formation of a Circulating Exhibition. It is intended that the collection should illustrate as far as possible all the processes now in use; I shall be glad to be favoured with an early reply, as the Council are anxious to take immediate steps to carry out this idea. Will you also be so good as to say how the Specimens lent for the late Exhibition may be returned?
I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, Edward Solly, Secretary
1853: JPS, April 1, #2, p. 29-31:
General Summary of the History of Photography.
As it is thought that by reprinting the following Table, compiled with much care for the British Association by Mr. Robert Hunt, and printed by that body in their Reports for 1850, much information may be afforded to the cultivators of Photographic Science, that gentleman has undertaken its completion to the present time, and appended in Notes references to the works in which the various papers exist. It is believed that the dates of discovery are accurately given, the date of publication being, of course, in all cases, taken where there was the slightest doubt.
SILVER
Nitrate of Ritter 1801 (1)
--(photographically employed) Wedgwood and Davy 1802 (2)
--with organic matter J. F. Herschel 1839 (3)
--with salts of lead J. F. Herschel 1839
Chloride of C. W. Scheele 1777 (4)
--(photographically employed) Wedgwood 1802
Talbot 1839 (5)
--darkened, and hydriodic salts Fyfe, Lassaigne 1839 (6)
Iodide of (photographically used) Herschel 1840 (7)
Ryan 1840
--with ferrocyanate of potash Hunt 1841 (8)
--with gallic acid (Calotype) Talbot 1841 (9)
--with protosulphate of iron (Ferrotype) Hunt 1844 (10)
--with iodide of iron (Catalysotype) Woods 1844 (10)
Bromide of Bayard 1840 (11)
Fluoride of Channing 1842 (12)
Fluorotype Hunt 1844 (13)
Oxide of Davy 1803 (14)
--with ammonia uncertain --
Phosphate of Fyfe 1830 (15)
Tartarate—Urate—Oxalate Herschel 1840 (16)
--Borate, &c. Hunt 1844
Benzoates of Hunt 1844
Fulminates of Hunt 1842 (17)
SILVER PLATE
With vapour of iodine (Daguerreotype) Daguerre 1839 (18)
With vapour of bromine Goddard 1840 (19)
With chlorine and iodine Claudet 1840 (20)
With vapour of sulphur Niepce 1820
With vapour of phosphorus Niepce 1820 (21)
GLASS PLATE
Precipitates of silver Herschel 1839 (22)
Albumen on Niepce de St. Victor 1848 (23)
Collodion Archer and Fry 1850
GOLD
Chloride of Rumford 1798 (24)
Herschel 1840
Etherial solution of Rumford 1798
Etherial solution of, with percyanide
of potassium Hunt 1844
Etherial solution of, with protocyanide Hunt 1844
of potassium
Chromate of Hunt 1844
Plate of gold and iodine vapour Goddard 1842
PLATINUM
Chloride of Herschel 1840
--in æther Herschel 1840
--with lime Herschel 1832
Iodide of Herschel 1840
Bromide of Hunt 1844
Percyanate of Hunt 1844
MERCURY
Protoxide of uncertain --
Peroxide of Guibourt --
Carbonate of Hunt 1844
Chromate of Hunt 1843
Deutiodide of Hunt 1843
Nitrate of Herschel 1840
Protonitrate of Herschel 1840
Chloride of Boullay 1803 (25)
Bichloride of Vogel 1806 (25)
IRON
Protosulphate of Hunt 1844
Persulphate of Herschel 1840
Ammonio-citrate of Herschel 1840
Tartrate of Herschel 1840
Attention was first called to the very
peculiar changes produced in the iron
salts in general, by Herschel 1845
Cyanic compounds of (prussian blue) Scheele 1786 (26)
Desmortiers 1801 (26)
Ferrocyanates of Fischer 1795 (27)
Iodide of Hunt 1844
Oxalate of Hunt 1844
Chromate of Hunt 1844
Several of the above combined with
Mercury Herschel 1843
COPPER
Chromate of (Chromatype) Hunt 1843
--dissolved in ammonia Hunt 1844
Sulphate of Hunt 1844
Carbonate of Hunt 1844
Iodide of Hunt 1844
Copper-plate iodized Talbot 1841 (28)
MANGANESE
Permanganate of potash Frommherz 1824
Deotuxide and cyanate of potassium Hunt 1844
Muriate of Hunt 1844
LEAD
Oxide of (the puce-coloured) Davy 1802 (29)
Red lead and cyanide of potassium Hunt 1844
Acetate of Hunt 1844
NICKEL
Nitrate of Hunt 1844
--with ferroprussiates Hunt 1844
Iodide of Hunt 1844
TIN
Purple of Cassius uncertain --
COBALT Hunt 1844
Arsenic sulphuret of Sage 1802 (30)
Salts of Antimony Hunt 1844
Salts of Bismuth Hunt 1844
Salts of Cadmium Hunt 1844
Salts of Rhodium Hunt 1844
CHROMIUM
Bichromate of potash Mungo Ponton 1838 (31)
--with iodide of starch E. Becquerel 1840 (32)
Metallic chromates (Chromatype) Hunt 1843
CHLORINE and HYDROGEN Gay-Lussac& Thénard 1809 (33)
Chlorine (tithonized) Draper 1842 (34)
--and æther Cahours 1810 (35)
GLASS
Manganese, reddened Faraday 1823 (36)
CYANOGEN
Solution of Pelouse& Richardson 1838 (37)
Methyle compounds Cahours 1846
Crystallization of salts influenced by light Petit 1722
Chaptal 1788 (38)
Dizé 1789 (39)
Phosphorus Schulze 1727 Ritter 1801 (40)
--in nitrogen Beckman 1800 (41)
--and ammonia Vogel 1806 (42)
Nitric acid decomposed by light Scheele 1786 (43)
Fat matter Vogel 1806
RESINOUS BODIES (Heliography) Niepce 1814
Asphaltum Niepce 1814
Resin of oil of lavender Niepce& Daguerre 1830
Guaiacum Wollaston 1803 (44)
Bitumens all decomposed Daguerre 1839
All residua of essential oils Daguerre 1839
Flowers, colours of, expressed, and
Spread upon paper Herschel 1842
Yellow wax bleached Senebier 1791 (45)
Influence of light on electrical phænomena E. Becquerel 1839 (46)
NOTES
(1) Gehlem, Journ. Der Chem. Vol. vi.—Nicholson’s Journal, August 1804.
(2) Journal of the Royal Institution, vol. i
(3) Philosophical Transactions, 1840, part i.
(4) Traité de l’Air et du Feu
(5) Philosophical Magazine
(6) Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal, 1839—L’Institut
(7) Philosophical Transactions, 1840—Journal of the Polytechnic Institution
(8) Report of the British Association
(9) Literary Gazette, 1841
(10) British Association Report
(11) Comptes Rendus, 1840
(12) Silliman’s American Journal
(13) Researches on Light
(14) Journal of the Royal Institution, vol. i
(15) Edinburgh new Philosophical Journal, 1839
(16) Philosophical Transactions, 1840, part i
(17) Researches on Light
(18) Report of M. Arago, &c
(19) Journal of Royal Institution
(20) Philosophical Magazine
(21) Letters to Daguerre
(22) Philosophical Transactions.
(23) L’Institut,—Comptes Rendus
(24) Philosophical Transactions
(25) Ann. De Chimie, vol. lxxv. P. 225
(26) Traité de l’Air et du Feu,--Gilbert’s Annals
(27) Philosophical Magazine, 2nd ser. Vol. vii
(28) Newton’s Patent Journal
(29) Davy’s Collected Works, vol. i
(30) Journal de Physique, 1902
(31) Edinburgh New Philosophical Journal
(32) Annales de Chimie
(33) Annales de Chimie
(34) Philosophical Magazine
(35) Comptes Rendus
(36) Journal of the Royal Institution
(37) Annales de Chimie
(38) Journal de Physique, vol. xxxiv
(39) Sur la Cristallisation des Sels par l’Action de la Lumière
(40) Gehlen, Journ. Der Chem. Vol. vi.
(41) Voigt’s Magazine, vol. iv
(42) Annales de Chimie, vol. lxxv
(43) Traité de l’Air et du Feu
(44) Nicholson’s Journal.—See Herschel in Philosophical Transactions
(45) Senebier sur la Lumière, vol. iii
(46) Annales de Chimie
In a future Number of the Journal, a list of all the papers of any interest published since the publication of Mr. Fox Talbot’s first communication will be given. By this, it is hoped, much assistance may be rendered to those engaged in photographic inquiries.
1853: JPS, April 21, #3, p. 33-34:
Photographic Society. Third ordinary Meeting. Thursday, April 7th, 1853.
Sir William J. Newton, Vice-President, in the Chair.
After the formal proceedings, the names of sixty-five Members elected since the last Meeting in March were declared.
[Papers were presented by Mr. Ross, Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. Fry, Mr. Henneman, Mr. Knight, Mr. Edwards, Major Halkett, Mr. N. Storey Maskelyne, Mr. Stokes, Mr. Sandford, Mr. Archer, Mr. Newton and Mr. Dancer, on various cameras, some of which were exhibited. Cameras were made by Mr. Fry, Mr. Henneman, Mr. Knight, Mr. Elliott, Major Halkett, Mr. N.S. Maskelyne, Mr. Stokes, Mr. Sandford, Mr. Archer, Mr. Newton, Mr. Dancer and Mr. Latimer Clark. A paper by Mr. Latimer Clark on a stereoscopic camera was postponed until May]
Mr. Fry exhibited to the Meeting specimens of Chromatic Daguerreotypes as obtained by M. Niepce of Paris.
Mad. Bertha Wehnert, of Leipsic, exhibited a very fine specimen of a Daguerreotype portrait of considerable size.
Messrs. Williams and Norgate, the Foreign Booksellers of Henrietta Street, sent a portfolio containing sixty magnificent Calotype views of all the principal buildings in Venice, of very large size, but owing to the length to which the proceedings extended they could not be exhibited to the Meeting.
The Chairman announced that the next Ordinary Meeting, on the 5th of May, would be devoted exclusively to “Stereoscopic Cameras”; Professor Wheatstone had kindly promised to read a paper upon the subject, and there would be some seventeen or eighteen then exhibited.
Adjourned to May the 5th.
1853: JPS, May 2, #4, p. 56:
Photographic Gossip.
Our readers will be pleased to hear that Dr. Vogel who has lately departed to join Dr. Barth on the Central African Expedition, studied the art of Photography, and proved a very apt pupil. Mr. Fenton, who at Chev. Bunsen’s request, undertook the office of instructor, furnished Dr. Vogel with a supply of iodized waxed-paper, which we hope to see again, bearing “impressions” from the unexplored and peculiar regions into which the intrepid traveler is venturing.
Another gentleman, a member of the Photographic Society, Mr. Ellis, of the London Missionary Society, is taking out a pair of cameras, for Stereoscopic views, to Madagascar; offering another promise of contributing to the fulfillment of the prophetic recommendation of Humboldt †, (†Cosmos, vol. ii) to seek new forms and combinations for pictorial art in the little studied detail of the scenery of warmer zones.
1853: JPS, May 21, #5, p. 68:
Photographic Gossip.
The brilliant success which has attended the endeavours of our distinguished countryman, Mr. H. Fox Talbot, to solve the problem of the conversion of photographic pictures into engraved plates, makes the present time a new epoch in the history of the art. We have had an opportunity of inspecting some of the products of the process described at page 62, and bear testimony to the great value of the results already obtained, and the promise they hold out for the future. Curiously enough, there has again been a convergence of independent efforts somewhat analogous to that which occurred when the Daguerreotype and the Talbotype were announced almost simultaneously. The French scientific journals are full of a new process which M. Niépce de St. Victor had brought up to the last point before actually printing off impressions, when the new of Mr. Talbot’s success arrived in Paris. There is no question, however, but Mr. Talbot’s results were those first made known; and moreover, those of M. Niépce appear to be founded on a totally different mode of operation, and to be a further development of the imperfect steps made by his uncle, M. Nicephore Niépce, with bituminous substances. We have no opportunity of judging of the comparative merits of the two inventions; but if that of M. Niépce’s give better results than Mr. Talbot’s, it will indeed be excellent. At present the great fact secured by Mr. Talbot is the etching of lines and surfaces of even tint; the next point, in which perhaps some of the arts of the aqua-tint engraver may be available, will be to obtain half-tints and gradation of tone. Since Mr. Talbot has, in a generous spirit and with enlightened judgement, given his process to the public, we doubt not that it will quickly receive a rapid development.
Since the preceding paragraph has been in type, a Member of the Society has directed our attention to the specification of a patent which is apparently connected with M. Niépce’s process. An abstract of this is given above. Strictly taken, the description of this patent would include all kinds of photographic engraving, but the language used in the preamble is too vague to have any excluding effect upon processes so different as Mr. Talbot’s. We may direct attention also to M. Martin’s process, given at p. 64.
A paper was read last week by the Rev. W. T. Kingsley before the Society of Arts, making known some very interesting experiments on the application of photography to the representation of microscopic objects. We hope to be able to give a full account of these experiments next month; but cannot refrain now from mentioning a statement made by Mr. Kingsley, which, if it prove correct, will change very greatly the views held in regard to the chemistry of the Daguerreotype. It has been generally imagined that the vapour of the mercury was deposited on the plate; this Mr. Kinglsey denies. While on the subject of the microscope, we may draw attention to the Photographic Number of the Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science for April, in which appear the first book-illustrations by actual photographs published in this country—very successful ones. The number contains papers on the subject by Messrs. Shadbolt, Delves and Highley, but want of space permits us from entering upon them at present. They should be consulted by all interested in this application of the art.
Mr. Delamotte’s Photographic Gallery, at 168 New Bond Street, is deservedly attracting numerous visitors. As a select collection of photographic pictures, many of the highest excellence, this Exhibition should be visited, not only by all photographers, but by all who take an interest in pictorial art.
1853: JPS, May 21, #5, p. 57:
Photographic Society. Fourth Ordinary General Meeting, Thursday, May 5th, 1853.
Sir William J. Newton, Vice-President, in the Chair.
After the formal business had been transacted, the Chairman announced the subject for consideration at the next Monthly Meeting; namely, Photography in connection with the Fine Arts, and stated that communications would be read from Mr. Buss and Mr. Leighton, consequently it would be desirable upon the occasion that Artists should favour the Society with information, either by attending the Meeting and taking part in the discussion, or by sending to the Council the results of their experience and practice.
The Chairman further announced that Mr. Hunt had promised two papers upon scientific subjects, one being upon the Actinometer.
Mr. Latimer Clark then read a description of a Stereoscopic Camera.
Mr. Calvert Jones read a paper on his Binocular or Panoramic Camera.
The Secretary [Roger Fenton]read a paper on a new form of Stereoscope communicated by Professor Wheatstone.
The business of the evening being then completed, the Members proceeded to view the stereoscopes and pictures kindly exhibited by the following gentlemen:--
Professor Wheatstone, Dr. Percy, Mr. Vignoles, Mr. Fenton, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Rosling, Messrs. Watkins & Hill, Messrs. Horne & Co., and the Royal Panopticon of Science and Art.
The Meeting was then adjourned to the 2nd of June.
1853: JPS, June 21, #6, p. 69-70:
Photographic Society. Fifth Ordinary Meeting. Thursday, June 2nd, 1853.
The President, Sir Charles Eastlake, in the Chair.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.
The Secretary [Roger Fenton] said that he was directed to call the attention of the Meeting to the following extract from the Minutes:--“May 12th, 1853. The Council considering it is of the highest importance to the interest of the Photographic Society that H.M. the Queen, and H.R.H. the Prince Albert should become Patrons of the Society, Resolved that the President be requested to take the necessary steps for carrying that object into effect.” At the Meeting of the Council this afternoon, the President announced that in accordance with the request expressed in the Resolution of May 12, he had made the requisite application, and that in answer he had received the following letter from Colonel Phipps:--
“Buckingham Palace,
May 30th, 1853.
“My Dear Sir Charles,
“I am commanded to inform you that the Queen and Prince will willingly give their patronage to the Photographic Society.
“Sincerely yours,
“C.B. Phipps.”
The Chairman remarked that he merely wished to say, that having been honoured with this communication from the Society, he lost no time upon his return to town, in carrying the wishes of the Society into effect.
Sir William Newton begged leave to propose the most grateful thanks of the Society to the worthy President for the kind and zealous manner in which he undertook to carry out their wishes, since it certainly was of the highest importance to the Society that they should have such powerful patrons to aid them in their exertions.
This proposition was seconded by a Member.
The Chairman said, “It is unnecessary that I should put this to the Meeting. I beg merely to say that my thanks are due to the Society, and always will be, for their honouring me with an opportunity of serving it.”
The Secretary then read the names of Members who had been elected since May 5th, 1853.
The Secretary announced the presents which had been received by the Society since the last Meeting, together with the names of the Donors. Among the most remarkable objects were specimens of photographic engraving from M. Niépce de St. Victor, of photo-lithography frojm MM. Lerebours, Lemercier and Barreswil, and a large collection of positive pictures, by Dillwyn Llewellyn, Esq.
The thanks of the Society were returned to the various donors.
Specimens of Mr. Talbot’s photographic steel engravings were exhibited.
Sir W.J. Newton exhibited 24 photographs from Burnham Beeches, with some of the negatives, to show the great transparency which might be obtained with paper.
[Papers were then read by Sir J.F.W. Herschel, Mr. William Crookes, Mr. Leighton GET REST OF NAMES, SUMMARIZE P. 70]
1853: JPS, June 21, #6, p. 80:
Photographic Gossip. [Accordance of Royal Patronage to the Society, general matters dealing with upcoming Exhibit, proceedings of the Society reported in La Lumière, and merits of various processes of photographic engraving discussed in French Journals, with emphasis on Talbot and M. Niépce’s work]
1853: JPS, July 21, #7, p. 92:
Photographic Gossip.
The application of Photography to the delineation of microscopic object, is, we see, engaging the attention of our French neighbours; M. Bertsch is said to have produced some excellent results on collodion. There appear, however, certain practical difficulties in the way of its use beyond a certain class of objects—those in which the whole of the requisite figure lies accurately in one plane. The results we have hitherto seen must be regarded as studies from which good microscopic drawings can be made, rather than as substitutes for them. It seems to us, however, that much might be done by the use of low powers, in obtaining general characteristic sketches, as it were, to be accompanied by more highly magnified detail executed by hand with the aid of the camera lucida. These extensive general views of microscopic subjects are just those on which the naturalist is unwilling to spend his time, so that they commonly get worked out by the engraver from a small finished portion furnished by the observer, and the result is a sort of kaleidoscopic repetition of one segment of the object and not a real view of it.
A paragraph has appeared in the newspapers stating that a Swede, M. Carloman, has invented a new process of printing, which he calls Photochromagraphy, by which he obtains prints of objects in their natural colours by the aid of light. We have seen no account of the process, but it seems probably only an application of the ordinary methods of colour-printing, as executed by lithographers, to engravings on stone or zinc, obtained by the processes of M. Martin or MM. Barreswil and Lemercier.
The paper of Mr. Crookes in this day’s journal, indicates favourable progress in the direction pointed out Sir J.F.W. Herschel, and will no doubt stimulate many of our photographers to follow up this track during the coming season of relâche.
In the Athenæum of July 9th appeared a letter from Mr. Stewart describing an instrument for obtaining enlarged or reduced copies of collodion photographs. It proves to be one already long in use; Mr. Kilburn stating that he has practiced with it for four years. As it is a very useful little contrivance and seems not to be much known, we shall take an opportunity of describing it, and adding a figure in a succeeding number.
Fresh candidates are presenting themselves for honours in the field of Photographic engraving. M. Salières of Montpellier has published a new process, and La Lumière speaks in favourable terms of the products forwarded to Paris, stating that the “impressions are very satisfactory, and moreover of especial interest, since they result from a new and happy application of photography.”
We insert the following without vouching for its accuracy. “An invention is spoken of here (Vienna), by means of which photography is applied to printing on silk and woolen stuffs. In experiments as yet made it required but a few minutes to print some forty yards (!). This invention is as pendant to that made by the head of the Imperial Printing Establishment at Vienna, for reproducing drawings of natural objects, plants,& c., by the direct method.
A French photographer, M. F. Gayetty, proposes to take collodion portraits on black waxed-cloth, developing by protosulphate of iron; his results are said to be promising. The advantage is considered to lie in the absence of the reflecting surface of the glass plates.
1853: JPS, Aug. 22, #8, p. 104:
Printing on Stuffs, &c.
To the Editor of the Journal of the Photographic Society.
Seeing in the last number of your Journal that mention is made of an invention spoken of at Vienna, by means of which photography is applied to printing on silk and other fabrics, I beg to inform you that so early as the year 1839 and before photography had made scarcely the least progress, my attention had been directed to this subject, and I obtained sufficient impressions on silk, muslin, &c. to convince me it was worth the attention of manufacturers, and I accordingly (not having sufficient time myself to devote to it) sent a communication to the Mechanic and Chemist, a useful but unostentatious publication at that time in existence, detailing an account of my experiments and forwarding specimens for inspection, expecting it would be speedily taken up by others; such, however, was not the case, and it has remained in abeyance ever since; the paragraph before alluded to is the first idea of the kind I have seen.
I remain, Sir,
Yours respectfully,
W.H. Hewett, Chemist
Yarmouth, Norfolk,
July 28, 1853
1853: JPS, Nov. 21, #11, p. 129:
Photographic Society. Sixth Ordinary Meeting. Thursday, November 3rd, 1853.
Peter Le Neve Foster, Esq. in the Chair.
The Minutes of the last Meeting were read and confirmed.
The names of the Members elected since June 2nd were read over, and their Election confirmed.
A list of the Presents received by the Society since the last Meeting was read, and the thanks of the Society were voted to the Donors thereof.
The Secretary since the last Meeting was read, and the thanks of the Society were voted to the Donors thereof.
The Secretary made some observations directing the attention of the Meeting to various points of interest relating to the presents on the table, especially—
1. Photographic Copies of Engravings, from M. Delessert, of Paris, consisting of reproductions of engravings from his own collection and from that of the Bibliothèque Royale, some being copies of the earliest steel engravings known.
2. Photographs from M. Bayard, of Paris, executed in 1840 and 1841, interesting as materials towards the history of the progress of Photography.
3. Photographic steel engravings from M. Niépce, showing the latest results of his endeavours towards the perfecting of his process.
The following papers were read:--
Dr. Diamond, “On the Simplicity of the Calotype process.”
R. Fenton, Esq., “On the Nitrate Bath.”
W. H. Cooke, Esq., “On an Improved Camera.”
These papers led to lengthened discussions, in which many members took part, after which the thanks of the Society were given to the Authors.
The Meeting then adjourned until Thursday the 1st of December.
1853: JPS, Dec. 21, #12, p. 141:
Photographic Society.
When our last month’s Number appeared, the arrangements were not so positively completed as to warrant our announcing the immediate redemption of the promise of the Council to open an Exhibition of Photographs. The greatest difficulty has been experienced in obtaining a suitable gallery, and in fact that was found impossible during the past summer. The Council congratulate themselves therefore in securing one eligible in all respects before the expiration of their year of service. The rooms of the Society of British Artists, in Suffolk Street, Pall Mall, are now being prepared for the reception of the products of our new branch of Art, and if report speaks truly, will this week be well-filled with contributions from all quarters. The hanging Committee will execute their responsible duties during the next week, and the public career of the Exhibition is to be inaugurated by a Soirée at 8 o’clock on the evening of Tuesday, January 3rd*, (*Some of the cards issued to Members of the Society bear a pretty obvious misprint, 5 p.m. being put instead of 8 p.m.) when the Members of the Photographic Society and their friends will assemble to admire and discuss the merits of the collection gathered under their auspices, instead of holding the ordinary Monthly Meeting, which would have fallen on January 5th. We subjoin the Circular [next paragraph] which has been issued to the Members, and in so doing take the opportunity of impressing upon all contributors the importance of attending strictly to the regulations laid down.
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 must 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 economising 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 on friend without payment.
The Price of Admission to the Gallery will be One Shilling. Catalogues Sixpence.
The Exhibition will be opened by a Soirée on the evening of January 3rd.
By order of the Council,
Roger Fenton, Hon. Sec.
1853: JPS, Dec. 21, #12, p. 141-142:
Photographic Society. Seventh Ordinary Meeting. Thursday, Dec. 1st, 1853
Charles Vignolles, 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 the Presents received b y 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. M. Montefiore Levi exhibited and described an Instrument of 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.