_Photographic Tent--Restoration of Faded Negatives._--In Vol. vii., p.
462., I find M. F. M. inquiring for a cheap and portable tent, effective
for photographic operations out of doors. I have for the last two years,
and in mid-day (June), prepared calotype paper, and also the collodion
glass plates, for the camera, under a tent of glazed yellow calico of only
a single thickness: the light admitted is very great, but does not in the
least injure the most sensitive plate or paper. It is made square like a
large bag, so that in a room I can use it double as a blind; and out of
doors, in a high wind, I have crept into it, and prepared my paper opposite
the object I intended to calotype.
I should be glad it any of your readers would inform me how a failed
negative calotype can be restored to its original strength. I last year
took a great number, some of which have nearly faded away; and others are
as strong, and as able to be used to print from, as when first done. The
paper was prepared with the single iodide of silver solution, and rendered
sensitive with aceto-nitrate sil. and gallic acid in the usual way. I
attribute the fading to the hyposulphate not being got rid of; and the
question is, Can the picture he restored?
Are DR. DIAMOND'S _Notes_ published yet?
S. S. B., Jun.
* * * * *
Replies to Minor Queries.
_Gibbon's Library_ (Vol. vii., p. 407.).--I visited it in 1825, in company
with Dr. Scholl, of Lausanne, who took charge of it for Mr. Beckford. It
was sold between 1830 and 1835, partly by auction, partly by private sale
in detail.