Research Catalog

Title

Sun gardens : Victorian photograms by Anna Atkins / text by Larry J. Schaaf ; organized by Hans P. Kraus, Jr.

Author

Atkins, Anna, 1799-1871

Publication

• New York, New York : Aperture, [1985]
• [New York] : Distributed in the U.S. by Viking Penguin, Inc.
• ©1985

Items in the Library & Off-site

Details

Additional Authors

• Dixon, Anne, 1799-1864
• Schaaf, Larry J. (Larry John), 1947-
• Kraus, Hans P., Jr.

Description

103 pages : illustrations (some color); 32 cm.

Summary

"Recognized as the earliest female photographer, Anna Atkins is equally remarkable for having produced the first book to use photographic illustrations. That book, [Photographs of] British algae : cyanotype impressions ... constitutes the first serious application of photography to scientific publication ... In 1841, Anna Atkins was inspired by advice from Fox Talbot, inventor of photography on paper, to take up the new art. By the autumn of 1843, she had mastered Sir John Herschel's 'beautiful process of cyanotype' (the blueprint process) and began issuing the first parts of her book, which documented her large collection of seaweed. While it was not uncommon for contemporary ladies to occupy their leisure time gathering and preserving botanical specimens, few were as dedicated or as creative as Mrs. Atkins. She inspired her friend Anne Dixon, a vicar's wife, to collaborate with her in creating the elegant cyanotype photograms of ferns, flowers, feathers, and lace which appear in this volume"--Book jacket.

Series Statement

An Aperture book

Alternative Title

Victorian photograms by Anna Atkins

Subject

• Atkins, Anna, 1799-1871
• Dixon, Anne, 1799-1864
• 1800-1899
• Photography > Great Britain > History > 19th century
• Photography, Artistic
• Photograms > History > 19th century
• Photography, Biological > History > 19th century
• Botanical illustration > History > 19th century
• Blueprinting > History > 19th century
• Blueprinting
• Photograms
• Photography
• Photography, Biological

Genre/Form

• History.
• Photobooks.

Note

• "Part I of British algae (from Sir John Herschel's copy)" (pages 11-22) is a facsimile reproduction of: Photographs of British algae : cyanotype impressions. Part 1 / by Anna Atkins, 1843. Sir John Herschel's copy, presented to him by Atkins, is now held by The New York Public Library's Spencer Collection.
• The plates (pages 47-97) comprise full-page reproductions of cyanotypes by Atkins and Anne Dixon.

Bibliography (note)

• Includes bibliographical references (pages 100-103) and index.

Additional Formats (note)

• Also issued online.

Provenance (note)

• Photography Collection copy is autographed on half title page by Larry J. Schaaf.

Contents

Preface -- Introduction -- Part I of British algae (from Sir John Herschel's copy) -- A great fondness for botany -- The productions of Anna Atkins and Anne Dixon -- Plates -- British algae : bibliographic details -- On the care of cyanotypes -- Notes to the text -- Index of names.

Call Number

*R-Photo 86-786

ISBN

• 089381203X
• 9780893812034

LCCN

85047822

OCLC

12934968

Author

Atkins, Anna, 1799-1871, photographer.

Title

Sun gardens : Victorian photograms by Anna Atkins / text by Larry J. Schaaf ; organized by Hans P. Kraus, Jr.

Publisher

New York, New York : Aperture, [1985]

Distributor

[New York] : Distributed in the U.S. by Viking Penguin, Inc.

Copyright Date

©1985

Type of Content

text

still image

Type of Medium

unmediated

Type of Carrier

volume

Series

An Aperture book

Bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 100-103) and index.

Additional Formats

Also issued online.

Provenance

Photography Collection copy is autographed on half title page by Larry J. Schaaf. NN

Chronological Term

1800-1899

Added Author

Dixon, Anne, 1799-1864, photographer.

Schaaf, Larry J. (Larry John), 1947- author.

Kraus, Hans P., Jr., organizer.

Container of (expression): Atkins, Anna, 1799-1871. Photographs of British algae. Part 1.

Other Editions:

Expanded as (work): Atkins, Anna, 1799-1871. Sun gardens : cyanotypes by Anna Atkins. New York, NY : The New York Public Library, 2018. (OCoLC)1057896789

Other Form:

Online version: Atkins, Anna, 1799-1871. Sun gardens. New York, New York : Aperture, 1985 (OCoLC)560399145

Research Call Number

*R-Photo 86-786