No. 161 of 248 · The Natural History Series
Seaweed, Gigartina acicularis
Pictures by Anna Atkins
Anna Atkins's cyanotype of Gigartina acicularis, a wiry red seaweed with needle-pointed branches, glows white on a field of deep blue. Atkins laid each specimen on light-sensitive paper in the sun, and her British algae became the first book ever illustrated with photographs. For someone who loves the sea and the quiet beauty of natural history.
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 / Seaweed / Gigartina acicularis / A wiry red seaweed with needle-pointed branches. Its relatives give carrageenan, which thickens ice cream, toothpaste and chocolate milk. / 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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