It's at the end of a section on "Photographs in Any Color," here in terms
of the "powder" or "dusting on" process:
"[This is] a plan of making 'post-mortem' photographs of cremated friends
and relations. A plate is prepared from a negative of the dead person in
the manner described, and the ashes dusted over. They will adhere to the
parts unexposed to light, and a portrait is obtained composed entirely of
the person it represents, or rather what is left of them." [p. 128.]
(I note also that with "ash glazes" popular in ceramics this same
memorialization has had a vogue in that field. A make-your-own-urn sort
of thing.)
For those photographers who would like to try the "dusting on" process,
which can also be done with pigment, carbon, probably even copier toner,
here is the formula given [p 127], though various dictionaries and
encyclopedias have other versions:
1/2 oz dextrine
1/2 ounce grape sugar (I don't know what that is either)
1/2 ounce potassium bichromate in
8 ounces water
or,
saturated solution of ammonium bichromate, 5 drams (I forget -- look it up!)
honey, 3 drams
albumen, 3 drams
distilled water, 20-30 drams
The procedure is
"filter and coat clean glass plates with this solution and dry with a
gentle heat over a spirit lamp. While still warm the plate is exposed
under a positive transparency for from two to five minutes in sunlight,
from 10 to 20 minutes in diffused light. On removing from the printing
frame, the plate is laid for a few minutes in the dark in a damp place to
absorb a little moisture.
"The next process is the dusting on.. For a black image Siberian graphite
is used, spread over with a soft flat brush. Any colored powder can be
used....When fully developed the excess of powder is dusted off and the
film coated with collodion. It is then well washed to remove the
bichromate salt. The film can, if desired, be detached and transferred to
ivory, wood or any other support."
I've seen variations of this formula for paper, so assume it can be
adapted for modern materials. (I've never done it.....in another lifetime I
guess.) Dan? Are you out there?????
Judy