I have no "period" news for today, but will rather post the following inquiry and announcement: - - - - - - - - An inquiry from Joe Bauman: I am on the verge of identifying a beautiful half-plate dag I acquired recently of a Mexican War officer and his wife -- taken by the Collins brothers in Philadelphia in 1848. I have narrowed the possibilities for the officer down to three men; one is much more likely than the others. I think it was First Lt. Andrew Tippin of the U.S. 11th Infantry. He was the colonel of the 68th Pennsylvania Infantry during the Civil War. If I could locate a picture of him during the Civil War I could verify if it's Tippin in the dag. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to come up with any book, or any collection, that has a photo of Tippin. I am wondering if you could broadcast a plea for help to the DagNews folks because many also collect Civil War views. Someone might have a photo of Tippin or know a place that would have one. I have tried the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the Military History Institute, a professor who's an expert at Gettysburg (Tippin commanded a division at Gettysburg) and a few other places -- nobody has seen a photo of him. It seems strange to me that an officer who was a commander at Gettysburg doesn't show up in a photo in any history book or collection. Thanks much, Joe Bauman bau@desnews.com * * * * * * * * * * * I will be posted a review of this book in the near future, but thought I should (belatedly) pass along this press release. The book is indeed fabulous. --Gary W. Ewer NEWS FROM GETTY TRUST PUBLICATIONS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Stacy Lieberman April10, 1998 (310) 440-6795 New Book Chronicles the Dawn of Photography In 1839, Louis Daguerre--French inventor, painter, and stage designer-- introduced the daguerreotype. In "The Silver Canvas: Daguerreotype Masterpieces from the J. Paul Getty Museum" (J. Paul Getty Museum, $80.00), Bates Lowry and Isabel Barrett Lowry document Daguerre's miraculous invention. The book is the companion volume for "The Art of the Daguerreotype," an exhibition at the J. Paul Getty Museum running through July 12, 1998. Using first-hand reports, the authors vividly convey how Daguerre captured the public's imagination and inspired others to embrace this unique art form. In nearly eighty examples--most never previously published--selected from the almost two thousand daguerreotypes in the J. Paul Getty Museum's comprehensive photographic collection, the authors present the historical and artistic development of the daguerreian process, chronicling more than two decades of European and American history and culture. Their narrative uncovers important new information about Daguerre's invention. "The Silver Canvas," which derives its title from the term used by Daguerre's principal proponent to describe the new medium, details the impact of the daguerreotype's discovery on the scientific, social, and artistic movements of the day. The recording of historical places, monuments, and contemporary events; still lifes; and portraits--even self-portraits of these pioneers of photography themselves--all gave voice to the daguerreotypists' journey toward self-expression. Their pursuit of art and the essence of nature culminated in the creation of a new visual language and the formation of a completely original art form. About the Authors Bates Lowry is an art historian, former museum director, and the author of "The Visual Experience, Renaissance Architecture, and Building a National Image." Isabel Barrett Lowry is former executive director of The Dunlap Society, an organization devoted to the education and appreciation of American art, and an independent researcher and photographer. The Lowrys are currently working on a book reflecting their interest in hand-colored photography entitled The Lens and the Palette. Publication Information: "The Silver Canvas: Daguerreotype Masterpieces from the J. Paul Getty Museum" Bates Lowry and Isabel Barrett Lowry 256 pages, 9 x 11 inches Publication Date: May 20, 1998 ISBN 0-89236-368-1, $80.00 J. Paul Getty Museum For information about the exhibition, "The Art of the Daguerreotype," please contact Jean Lin, Public Affairs, at (310) 440-7072. Visit our new web site at: http://www.getty.edu/publications. * * * * * * * * I'll also mention that additional information about the book and the concurrent Getty exhibition "The Art of the Daguerreotype" is available on the "News and Events" page of The Daguerreian Society web site at: http://www.daguerre.org/resource/events.html ------------------------------------------------------------- 05-15-98