Pictures of East Anglian life : illustrated with thirty-two photogravures and fifteen small illustrations / with general and descriptive text, and three appendices, by P. H. Emerson
Book
1888 (published)
1888 (published)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Peter Henry Emerson (1856—1936) originally studied medicine, though from 1886 onwards after a brief career practising he dedicated himself full-time to photography and writing. Emerson was a figure of renown in the photographic community due to his membership of a number of societies and his regular contributions to journals.
Pictures of East Anglian Life contains images of the rural population of East Anglia at work, framed by a number of views of the region’s landscape. The plates are accompanied by poetic reflections on the scenes depicted, in which Emerson demonstrates his sympathies to the hardships of rural life.
Three printing firms were commissioned to produce the plates for this publication, including The Autotype Company, which had been solely responsible for his Idyls of the Norfolk Broads (1887).
Emerson was deeply interested in the emerging photomechanical process of photogravure (copper-plate engraving), and went on to learn the technique so that he could do the printing himself.
The title was published in two editions. A standard edition limited to 500 copies was accompanied by a deluxe edition of 75 copies that was printed chine collé. This printmaking technique involves a delicate surface such as Japanese paper being cut to the size of the plate, coated with an adhesive and then bonded to a sturdier support paper when it passes through the printing press. This allows the use of fragile papers in the printmaking process that are able to produce more detailed prints. The National Art Library holds copy no. 27 of this edition.
In 1890 Pictures of East Anglian Life was released in an abridged format of only 10 plates to accompany his text Naturalistic Photography for Students of the Art (1889). Emerson donated copies of this portfolio to every photographic society in the country and gave one to the then South Kensington Museum in 1896 (Museum no. PH.2113 to 2122-1896).
Pictures of East Anglian Life contains images of the rural population of East Anglia at work, framed by a number of views of the region’s landscape. The plates are accompanied by poetic reflections on the scenes depicted, in which Emerson demonstrates his sympathies to the hardships of rural life.
Three printing firms were commissioned to produce the plates for this publication, including The Autotype Company, which had been solely responsible for his Idyls of the Norfolk Broads (1887).
Emerson was deeply interested in the emerging photomechanical process of photogravure (copper-plate engraving), and went on to learn the technique so that he could do the printing himself.
The title was published in two editions. A standard edition limited to 500 copies was accompanied by a deluxe edition of 75 copies that was printed chine collé. This printmaking technique involves a delicate surface such as Japanese paper being cut to the size of the plate, coated with an adhesive and then bonded to a sturdier support paper when it passes through the printing press. This allows the use of fragile papers in the printmaking process that are able to produce more detailed prints. The National Art Library holds copy no. 27 of this edition.
In 1890 Pictures of East Anglian Life was released in an abridged format of only 10 plates to accompany his text Naturalistic Photography for Students of the Art (1889). Emerson donated copies of this portfolio to every photographic society in the country and gave one to the then South Kensington Museum in 1896 (Museum no. PH.2113 to 2122-1896).
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Pictures of East Anglian life : illustrated with thirty-two photogravures and fifteen small illustrations / with general and descriptive text, and three appendices, by P. H. Emerson (assigned by artist) |
| Brief description | Pictures of East Anglian life : illustrated with thirty-two photogravures and fifteen small illustrations / with general and descriptive text, and three appendices, by P. H. Emerson. |
| Physical description | [iii]-iv, [4], 150 p., xxxii leaves of plates : ill. ; 44 cm. Limited to 75 numbered copies. National Art Library copy is no. 27. Plates accompanied by guard sheets with descriptive letterpress; the illustrations are mounted in the text. Twentieth century library binding. |
| Style | |
| Production type | Mass produced |
| Summary | Peter Henry Emerson (1856—1936) originally studied medicine, though from 1886 onwards after a brief career practising he dedicated himself full-time to photography and writing. Emerson was a figure of renown in the photographic community due to his membership of a number of societies and his regular contributions to journals. Pictures of East Anglian Life contains images of the rural population of East Anglia at work, framed by a number of views of the region’s landscape. The plates are accompanied by poetic reflections on the scenes depicted, in which Emerson demonstrates his sympathies to the hardships of rural life. Three printing firms were commissioned to produce the plates for this publication, including The Autotype Company, which had been solely responsible for his Idyls of the Norfolk Broads (1887). Emerson was deeply interested in the emerging photomechanical process of photogravure (copper-plate engraving), and went on to learn the technique so that he could do the printing himself. The title was published in two editions. A standard edition limited to 500 copies was accompanied by a deluxe edition of 75 copies that was printed chine collé. This printmaking technique involves a delicate surface such as Japanese paper being cut to the size of the plate, coated with an adhesive and then bonded to a sturdier support paper when it passes through the printing press. This allows the use of fragile papers in the printmaking process that are able to produce more detailed prints. The National Art Library holds copy no. 27 of this edition. In 1890 Pictures of East Anglian Life was released in an abridged format of only 10 plates to accompany his text Naturalistic Photography for Students of the Art (1889). Emerson donated copies of this portfolio to every photographic society in the country and gave one to the then South Kensington Museum in 1896 (Museum no. PH.2113 to 2122-1896). |
| Other numbers |
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| Collection | |
| Library number | 1183-1889 |
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| Record created | April 30, 2015 |
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