18 May 2017

Scanning glass plate negatives of Kent County Cricket Club

In the late 1800s – early 1900s, glass plate negatives were the commonly used photographic process. The images were exposed to a glass plate which were coated with a silver gelatin emulsion, however they were (and still are!) very fragile and the emulsion can be easily scratched. Scanning glass plate negatives reveals those moments in history, preserving them for our future generations.

Kent County Cricket Club

Paul Lewis, a collector of Kent County Cricket Club imagery, had a large batch of glass plate negatives which he wanted scanning.

scanning glass plate negatives preserving those moments

A selection of Kent Cricket glass plate negatives

Here is what those moments mean to Paul:

“I have an interest in the history of Kent County Cricket Club, and find the photographs in books about the club really bring the stories to life.
When I came into possession of some glass plate negatives of teams and players taken from 1900 to 1930s, I was keen to have photographs developed because I could tell they were quite rare just by holding them to the light. Having got in touch with Nick, he scanned the glass plate negatives and restored the damaged photos.

1909 Kent County Cricket Team Photo
The level of detail in the finished product is astonishing, you can literally see the stitching pattern on the cricket jumpers. With most of the photographs having been taken in the between 1900 and the 1930’s, I didn’t expect the results to be anywhere near this good. The service Nick provides is really very special.

Colin Blythe who was killed in 1917 on the Western Front

One striking image is of Colin Blythe who was killed in 1917 on the Western Front, which reinforces the feeling of history being revealed and preserved a hundred years on.”