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 THE DAGUERREOTYPE: AN ARCHIVE OF SOURCE TEXTS, GRAPHICS, AND EPHEMERA


  The research archive of Gary W. Ewer regarding the history of the daguerreotype

Today's post will be the first of several texts detailing a controversy between Francois Gouraud and Samuel F. B. Morse. This series of volleys will last until March 19, 1840, although a lingering notice appears as late as June 1840. On this day (February 21) in the year 1840, the following two items appeared in "The Evening Star" (New York) Vol. 7, No. 126 (21 February 1840) not paginated, but both items appear on the second page: - - - - - - - THE DAGUERREOTYPE EXHIBITION now open at the corner of Chamber street and Broadway, will be conti- nued for some time, the proceeds of which will be FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS OF THIS CITY. For the purpose of rendering the receipts as great as possible for the above object, Mr. GOUROUD has reduced the price of admission to 25 cents. J24 istf * * * * * Mr. Editor--I am glad to learn, from a respectable journal of this city, that Professor Morse has executed a specimen of photogenique drawing as distinct as it could be done by Mr. Daguerre himself, and that he has, from Mr. Daguerre's work, constructed the instrument with great nicety himself. Having endeavoured, during two months, to give to Mr. Morse all the instruction in my power, I am naturally pleased to hear of his success, as I should of the success of all the numerous amateurs who have attended my private or public instructions on the process of the Daguerreotype. I remain, sir, your obedient servant, FRANCOIS GOURAUD, Pupil of Mr. Daguerre. (As always, original errors of spelling/grammar maintained, including spelling error of "Gouraud" in the advertisement.) -------------------------------------------------------------- 02-21-00

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