Sold: Glass Nebula

Negative from the Lick Observatory / glass with oak frame / 1899

Antique glass negative of “Nebula in Cygnus” which was “Photographed with the Crossley Reflector of the Lick Observatory, August 29, 1899.” At 10.5 x 8.75 inches, the large glass negative is framed in oak and meant to be positioned in front of a light source to illuminate the celestial image.

Now owned and operated by the University of California, the Lick Observatory is a neoclassical structure built between 1876 and 1886 and was the first permanently occupied mountain-top observatory. The Crossley 36-inch Reflector was originally constructed by Andrew Ainslie Common in 1879, who used the reflector to prove the concept of long exposure astrophotography. It was given to the University of California in 1895 by British politician Edward Crossley and moved to the Lick Observatory in 1896. The university continued to use the reflector for astrophotography, and produced the image from the constellation Cygnus seen here.

The nebula would look stellar hung in a window or backlit, but also shows up well enough on a white wall. A remarkable and rare early example of astrophotography.

Measurements

10.5 inches tall
8.75 inches wide
.75 inches deep

Condition

Very good antique condition, with a slightly darkened occlusion in the negative though the image remains crisp and compelling (see photos).

Shipping

Free in the continental United States. If an international buyer, please contact me for a shipping estimate by clicking here.