Topic: OCCUPATION - HUMATER

[nwp]

I am seeking to understand what a "Humater" is. The word is found on the back of a card photograph from the period (probably) 1870-1890.
I suspect it was an occupation associated with the glass industry in London - the person may also have been a glass-cutter.
A 'Humate' is a salt of Humic acid - but I am unable to find its application in relation to glass.
Any ideas appreciated.
Neville

[Anne]

Hi Neville and welcome to the board.  I spotted your topic over on Rootschat about this: http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,493022.new.html which is useful for members here to see as it shows the curious word as written.... I don't think it says Humater but I can't make out what it does say... 

[Ivo]

I would have guessed the line "humate on glass" was a description of the technique used, not the profession of the depicted?

[Frank]

More sensibly 'Bromate on glass' as Bromide was used first used as an emulsion in photography in that period and may have had odd terms in use by various experimenters - perhaps the photographer was one of these hobbyist pioneers.

[chopin-liszt]

As Humic acid is the name for the complex of organic acids which appear in soil/peat, and as glass which is buried for a long time reacts with soil acids to become iridescent (as in Glens' beautiful bit, recently posted here and Roman glass)

could it relate to an iridising process?

Iridisation was originally "invented" in order to mimic the beautiful effects found on old, long buried glass.

[Sid]

Hello

Decorater on Glass?

Sid

[linb]

Reads decorator to me with benefit of years of family history

[Frank]

Sounds sensible and looks possible.

[Anne]

That was my first thought too but I wanted to see what others made of it... the writing's a bit grim!

[Frank]

... a bit grim!

reaper of glass :24: