Fern Leaf Motto by Anna K. Weaver, 1874 *Update
My husband and I have collected and studied the history and development of photography for more than forty years. For us the most exciting thing about collecting photographs is that we are constantly learning new things about the history of photography and "meeting" new and interesting photographers. The down side is that when we find a photograph that sets us off in a new direction of research we MUST have it if it is at all affordable.
When we saw this 24.5" by 14" framed albumen print in an antique mall booth a look passed between us and I knew we were hooked. It was obvious to us that it was an albumen print made from a copy negative of what Talbot, the English inventor of photography as we know it, called a photogenic drawing and is now called a photogram. Unlike many 19th century photographs this one carries a text line in the photograph, "Entered according to Act of Congress A.D. 1874 by Mrs. Anna K. Weaver, Salem, Ohio In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, DC."
There are only a few references to Anna on the internet but they tell us that she was a missionary to South America with her husband. To support the mission she made and sold mottoes made by placing ferns on photographic paper and exposing them to the sun. These were called "solar photography" and the resulting images were then copies and printed on albumen paper for distribution. Thanks to Google books we can read articles in religious journals from the 1870s describing the fern-leaf mottoes as a "chaste and beautiful" ministry. Directions are given for becoming agents for their sale. The sales kits were $10 to $20 and agents were told they could make as much as $3 to $6 a day.
We are especially pleased to add another woman photographer to our collection and look forward to learning more about this enterprising and talented lady. An article about her can be found in "Woman's work for woman: A union magazine", Volume 5, the Presbyterian Church, 1875.
I have included a detail of some of the letters.
The print will hang under the wool flower memorial portrait over the fireplace in our new house. I will post a picture after we hang it.
* I have added the fern motto and detail to the flicrk group Pteridomania (Love of Ferns).
Fern Leaf Motto by Anna K. Weaver, 1874 *Update
My husband and I have collected and studied the history and development of photography for more than forty years. For us the most exciting thing about collecting photographs is that we are constantly learning new things about the history of photography and "meeting" new and interesting photographers. The down side is that when we find a photograph that sets us off in a new direction of research we MUST have it if it is at all affordable.
When we saw this 24.5" by 14" framed albumen print in an antique mall booth a look passed between us and I knew we were hooked. It was obvious to us that it was an albumen print made from a copy negative of what Talbot, the English inventor of photography as we know it, called a photogenic drawing and is now called a photogram. Unlike many 19th century photographs this one carries a text line in the photograph, "Entered according to Act of Congress A.D. 1874 by Mrs. Anna K. Weaver, Salem, Ohio In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, DC."
There are only a few references to Anna on the internet but they tell us that she was a missionary to South America with her husband. To support the mission she made and sold mottoes made by placing ferns on photographic paper and exposing them to the sun. These were called "solar photography" and the resulting images were then copies and printed on albumen paper for distribution. Thanks to Google books we can read articles in religious journals from the 1870s describing the fern-leaf mottoes as a "chaste and beautiful" ministry. Directions are given for becoming agents for their sale. The sales kits were $10 to $20 and agents were told they could make as much as $3 to $6 a day.
We are especially pleased to add another woman photographer to our collection and look forward to learning more about this enterprising and talented lady. An article about her can be found in "Woman's work for woman: A union magazine", Volume 5, the Presbyterian Church, 1875.
I have included a detail of some of the letters.
The print will hang under the wool flower memorial portrait over the fireplace in our new house. I will post a picture after we hang it.
* I have added the fern motto and detail to the flicrk group Pteridomania (Love of Ferns).