Smoke-stack of Confederate iron-clad Virginia on wharf at Richmond, Virginia, showing effect of shot in attack on Federal batteries on James River

No. B223.

Gift; Col. Godwin Ordway; 1948.

The albumen silver print is a photographic printing process that was widely used in the 19th century. It involves coating paper support with a mixture of egg whites and salt, which creates a glossy surface to hold light-sensitive silver salts. The paper is then sensitized in a solution of silver nitrate, and exposed in a camera or under a negative. After exposure, the print is developed in a solution of gallic acid and silver nitrate, which reduces the silver salts to metallic silver and creates the final image. The albumen print process was widely used for commercial and fine art photography in the 19th century and produced high-quality, detailed images with a distinctive glossy finish.

history civil war virginia richmond albumen prints smoke stack confederate wharf effect shot attack federal batteries federal batteries river 1861 19th century american civil war ironclad confederate states of america james river us navy lot 4182 civil war glass negatives and related prints photo ultra high resolution high resolution richmond va military colonel navy us civil war united states history artillery navy guns library of congress

01/01/1861

Library of Congress

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