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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

(A brief note: The "1991 Daguerreian Annual" has been sold out for some time. I noticed, however, a copy in the last Pajerski catalogue. I'll give details at the end of today's post.) During this month of September, in the year 1839, the following text appeared (along with three other texts of photographic interest) in the "Journal of the Franklin Institute" 24 (Philadelphia; September 1839) pp. 208-209: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Invention of Photogenic Drawings. It appears from an article in the London Athenaeum, that M. Niepce had entered upon the investigation of this mode of copying, quite as early as M. Daguerre. The former was in England in 1827, and left with some of his friends there several specimens of his execution, nearly as perfect as those now produced. It appears however, that "he was long and zealously assisted by M. Daguerre, who had been many years engaged in similar pursuits; and there is legal proof that, so early as 1829, they entered into an agreement, by which they declare themselves "associes pour exploiter le procede a l' invention duquel ils avaient concuru l'un et l'autre." But the most curious fact, (adds the Athenaeum,) in relation to this discovery remains to be told. It would appear, considering the character of the pictures, all but impossible that impressions from them could be multiplied after the manner of an engraving; M. Daguerre, indeed stated to us that it was impossible, and it is but reasonable to believe that he is as fully informed of the nature and extent of the discoveries as M. Niepce himself. Yet, in 1827, M. Niepce not only declared that it was possible, but produced specimens of such multiplied copies, and Mr. Bauer has now in his possession, not only copies of engravings, fixed permanently by the action of light, not only scenes from nature, but metallic plates engraved, and engravings copied from them: and he understood and believes that no engraving tool was used, but that the drawings were fixed by the action of light, and the plates subsequently engraved by a chemical process, discovered by M. Niepce. If so, The greatest secret of all remains yet to be made public, and is we believe, as unknown to M. Daguerre as to others. Mech. Mag. * * * * * * * The 1991 Daguerreian Annual is listed in the Pajerski catalogue #41 as item #D129a (Price: $50.00; Fred & Elizabeth Pajerski; 250 West 24 Street, 4GE; New York NY 10011; telephone/fax 212-255-6501) -------------------------------------------------------------- 09-27-97

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