I. K. Brunel by Robert Howlett
Helmut Gernsheim (1913-1995)
Category
Photographs
Date
1970
Materials
Silver gelatin, Silver bromide, Paper, Card
Measurements
500 x 400 x 2 mm
Collection
Fox Talbot Museum, Wiltshire
NT 1522861.6
Summary
A large mounted reproduction monochrome silver gelatine bromide photographic print of I. K. Brunel by Robert Howlett (1857), a gelatine silver print with original image size 280 mm x 230 mm. The top corners of the image are curved, and the bottom corners rectangular. The image is an early reportage photograph in portrait format depicting Brunel standing by the huge chains which were to be used to launch the steamship 'SS Great Eastern' in London in November 1857. He stands in a casual pose, with a cigar in his mouth and his hands in his pockets. (This launch attempt was unsuccessful and Howlett took another picture the following January 31st when it was successfully launched.) The surface and colour of modern gelatine bromide papers were matched to closely resemble the colour and surface texture of the 19th century original. This enlargement is made from a copy negative taken from the original print. Markings Recto: Printed in black ink on the mount centred below the image: "Robert Howlett: I. K. Brunel 1857" Handwritten in pencil on the mount bottom left below the image: 24/100 Markings Verso: Printed in black ink centred on the verso of the mount: "Copyright the Gernsheim Collection University of Texas and Photo-Graphic Editions, London. Any unauthorised reproduction is prohibited. Part of a limited edition (24/100) set of 10 reproduction Victorian prints, entitled "Photo-Classics 1, Victorian Photography", produced by the Gernsheim Collection, University of Texas and Photo-Graphic Editions Ltd, London.
Makers and roles
Helmut Gernsheim (1913-1995), publisher