The photographic news

• Bandzählung: 35.1891
• Erscheinungsdatum: 1891
• Sprache: Englisch
• Signatur: F 135
• Vorlage: Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig
• Digitalisat: Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig
• Digitalisat: SLUB Dresden
• Rechtehinweis: Public Domain Mark 1.0
• URN: urn:nbn:de:bsz:14-db-id1780948042-189100009
• PURL: http://digital.slub-dresden.de/id1780948042-18910000
• OAI: oai:de:slub-dresden:db:id-1780948042-18910000
• Sammlungen: LDP: Historische Bestände der Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst Leipzig
• Sammlungen: Fotografie
• Strukturtyp: Band

• Digitalisat: SLUB Dresden
• Strukturtyp: Ausgabe

268 THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. [ArRIL 3, 1891. THE PHOTO GRAPHIC SCHEME OF THE BOD LEIAN LIBRARY. BY JULIUS F. SACHSE. Within the last few months renewed attention has been called to the use of photography in the large libraries. All students know the great importance of having valuable manuscripts duplicated photographically. The same applies to important pages of books, rare engravings, por traits, plans, and legal documents, which, by reason of their value, age, or deterioration of texture or fading of the inscription, can be handled or examined only with the greatest care, under the direct supervision of the custodian in charge. The latest effort in this direction appears to have been made by the management of the Bodleian Library at Oxford, in connection with the University Press. This scheme has been heralded in the daily press far and wide as a solution of the problem, and placing the means within reach of all. But while we agree that it is difficult to estimate the extent to which the usefulness of a library might be increased by such arrangements, we cannot re frain from saying that the whole matter as quoted is mis leading and impracticable, to say the least, at the ridiculous rates mentioned. Further, the broadcast publication of the matter in the present shape is an injustice and a direct injury to such photographers who make a specialty of that branch of photography, which often requires the highest intelligence in addition to their skill as photographers. We cannot but think that the parties who formulated the schedule of prices have had but little or no practical experience, either in the line of the average run of library, copying, or in practical photography. We quote the original notice as issued, viz. : — “ The controller of the University Press, Oxford, is prepared to take photographic negatives from MSS., printed books, &c., belonging to the library or deposited there, and to supply prints at the following rates, per mission having been first obtained from the librarian:— s. d. For a 10 by 8 negative taken at the library ... 3 0 For a silver print (unmounted) from a 10 by 8 negative ... ... ... ... 0 4 For a platinotype print from a 10 by 8 negative 0 10 (With regard to platinotype prints, the price must vary with cost of the special paper. It will probably increase from time to time.) For a carbon print from a 10 by 8 negative ... 0 10 For 20 collotype prints, with clean margins, from one 10 by 8 negative ... ... ... ... 5 6 For 50 collotype prints, with clean margins, from one 10 by 8 negative ... ... ... ... 9 0 For 100 collotype prints, with clean margins, from one 10 by 8 negative ... ... ... 12 0 “ Estimates for larger sizes or greater numbers may be had on application. “ The sums quoted above are given on the assumption that only ordinary trouble will be involved in making the negatives and prints.” If we mistake not, the price for a photographic copy of an ordinary subject in the British Museum and other libraries in England has heretofore been a guinea. In this country the average price has been five dollars—a price which, to an outsider, at first would seem high, but, as will be found in actual practice, it will not pay any Competent man to undertake the work for a much less sum. The writer has probably had as great and varied ex perience in this line of photography as any one in this section of the country, consequently can speak from ex perience. Firstly, the work has to be done in the library building, where there are no special provisions for photo graphy, the apparatus having to be sent to the library for the purpose. Secondly, on account of the great difference in the character of the subjects, often varying from, say, the title of a 24mo. missal to a map 6 by 8 feet, a different apparatus has to be improvised for almost every exposure. Thirdly, as to the MSS., they require the most careful handling. The parchment is often discoloured and the ink so faded that it is almost impossible to obtain any result suitable for reproduction, the colour values of parchment and writing being almost equal. Then, again, the light is usually a side light, more or less dim, for which allowance must be made. Then, as there are no facilities in the library for development or testing the plates, from two to six plates have often to be exposed on the same subjects in different times, to ensure at least one perfect plate, and prevent the necessity of going over the same ground. With oil paintings—usually old, cracked, and dis coloured—the difficulties are still greater. Assistance is often needed to take down and place into position ; then, again, under the peculiar circumstances, it is often necessary to expose through a colour-filter, thus lengthen ing the time of exposure from minutes to hours. The handling of old books—frequently priceless gems, brittle with age and shaky in their bindings—requires the greatest care, and are not to be trusted to anyone with impunity to truss up in front of a camera. All these little matters mentioned above occur in actual practice. Each subject, it will be found, requires the most careful study and manipulation, which often necessi tates a loss of valuable time. In addition, this work requires a degree of judgment and skill which, unfortu nately, is not to be found in the composition of every button-presser or amateur-professional who would count himself capable for this branch of photography. While, at first glance, it would seem to be the easiest matter to photograph the page of a book, the tyro, if he make the attempt with the usual apparatus at the disposal of the average photographer, will soon find that to get the page square upon the plate and properly lit is not near so easy as it seems when we look upon a finished print made by an expert. It is to be assumed that the authorities in charge of the Bodleian Library have made every provision for develop ment and ordinary copying, securing the best and latest apparatus; but even then they will find that there are many difficulties to be overcome in the practical working of the scheme, not the least of which will be to obtain talent of the order requisite to produce results which will satisfy the patrons of the photographic department, with out injury or detriment to the property of the library or museum. Talent of this calibre costs money, and, even without taking into consideration the uncertain demand, and the usual delays from bad weather, which all causes loss, we doubt if they can make the departure a paying success at the formulated rates, unless the management stoop to the questionable plan of assuming that every negative “ involves more than ordinary trouble,” and then charge accordingly.