No. 188 of 248 · The Natural History Series
Gut Weed
Pictures by Anna Atkins
Anna Atkins's cyanotype of gut weed sets pale, ruffled ribbons of seaweed drifting across a field of deep Prussian blue. Atkins laid each seaweed on light-sensitive paper in the sun, and her studies of British algae became the first book ever illustrated with photographs. For someone who loves the sea, science or quiet beauty.
Add four of your own photos and your own words; we print the card in the US and post it for you.
On the back
From the first book ever illustrated with photographs / GUT WEED / Enteromorpha intestinalis / Gut weed grows as hollow green tubes that fill with gas and float, like puffed ribbons. It thrives where fresh water meets the sea. / Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions, 1843-53 / Anna Atkins laid each seaweed on light-sensitive paper in the sun, making the first book ever illustrated with photographs.
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