Harvard has a collection of jellyfish models made from blown glass from around the same time. There were meant to be used for teaching and research, they are three-dimensional reproductions because the animal can't be preserved and colour photography was in its infancy then. The realism and the mastery of the craft is truly astounding.
Any chance there are photos of any sort online? That sounds really interesting and if the photos in the article reminded you of them (the images were gorgeous) I'd imagine they share that trait of gorgeousness.
Is the Smithsonian so desperate for revenue that it needs to ask me to both enable "notifications" and sign up for its newsletter the second the page loads? Who needs notifications on smithsonianmag.com?
