I was so lucky to spot this lot at auction a few weeks ago and its just arrived via courier. I made a cheeky but decent bid and forgot all about it, the winning notification email went into my junk folder, and it wasn’t till I checked the auction site that I realised I’d won with my opening bid!
Two of the prints can be seen to be signed by Mike Ware, and I’d be more than happy with that at the price I paid, but after contacting Mike he was kind enough to confirm six of the seven prints are by him, and that some of the books that were included in the lot are collectible and now quite valuable .
Mike currently has a retrospective exhibition at Gold Street Studios, 700 James Lane Ā Trentham East Victoria 3458, Australia
For those that not aware, Dr. Michael J. Ware is a chemist and photographer, known for his work in alternative photographic processes. He has invented variations of processes and refined many of them including the Cyanotype, Chrysotype and Argyrotype. Here’s his Wikipedia page! We have several of his works in our collections at The John Rylands Research Institute and Library, and he is in several collections worldwide. And now in mine š
Ficus – Argyrotype print
Limestone intruder, Cheshire. New Chrysotype
Cemented timber, Sicily. New Chrysotype
Mandorla, Sicily. New Cyanotype
Deposition, Sicily. New Cyanotype
Il Salvatore, Nota Antica, New Cyanotype
I will unframe and check the reverse of the prints and matts for Mikes signature and print details tomorrow as he suggested. I’ll update this post with details after that.
The print below is a reproduction though, on the reverse was pinned an envelope with “Reproduction from the Royal Society – An early experiment in Photography from Norwich (c.1840)” You can buy your own here.
“Two specimens of fern leaf by Caleb Burrell Rose.
A photogenic drawing of two plant specimens, the leaves placed on sensitized paper and exposed to sunlight. Inscribed above in ink: “An early attempt at Photography from Norwich.” Apparently, an early use of the process developed by William Henry Fox Talbot FRS (1800-1877). The naturalist and geologist Caleb Burrell Rose (1790-1872) in whose papers this image is preserved, practised as a surgeon in Swaffham, Norfolk, 1816-c.1859.
Image reference: RS-9354″
Two specimens of fern leaf by Caleb Burrell Rose (Repro)
There was also a small selection of photographic books, which was a surprisingly heavy box when it arrived.
It was by pure chance that I had logged on to my auction account and saw these listed as one Lot and no one elseĀ placed a bid! I could not believe it. And the courier costs were more than my initial bid. I still can’t believe my luck.