| 1. |  | Joseph Nicéphore Niépce 1826 (taken) 2003 (photographed) Official image of the First Photograph in 2003, minus any manual retouching, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce's View from the Window at Le Gras. c. 1826 Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin Gernsheim Collection Harry Ransom Center / University of Texas at Austin Photo by J. Paul Getty Museum. |
| 2. |  | Joseph Nicéphore Niépce 1952, 21 March Helmut Gernsheim & Kodak Research Laboratory Reproduction of Joseph Nicéphore Niépce's "View from the Window at Le Gras" Gelatin silver print, with watercolor 20.3 x 25.4 cm Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin HRC (964:0000:0001) |
| 3. |  | Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre 1839 The Pavillon de Flore and the Pont-Royal [Le Pavillion de Flore et le Pont Royal] Daguerreotype 16.2 x 21.3 cm (6 3/8 x 8 3/8 ins) Musée des arts et métiers Inv.: 08745-0001- This Daguerreotype was included in "The Dawn of Photography: French Daguerreotypes, 1839-1855" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum. |
| 4. |  | Joseph Saxton 1839, October Philadelphia Central High School for Boys and Pennsylvania State Arsenal Daguerreotype Historical Society of Pennsylvania Record Number: 6257, Call number: 1839.1, Collection: Treasures Collection [0978] The daguerreotype Saxton took of Philadelphia's first Central High School and the State Armory is perhaps the earliest daguerreotype ever taken in the United States, and certainly represents the oldest American daguerreotype extant. It is now in the custody of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Source: Arthur H. Frazier, 1975, Joseph Saxton and His Contributions to the Medal Ruling and Photographic Arts, Smithsonian Studies in History and Technology; 32 "Following a detailed description of the process published by Professor J.F. Frazer in the Journal of the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, for October 1839, or possibly one that had already appeared in the United States Gazette published in Philadelphia on 25 September, Joseph Saxton an employee of the United States Mint, took the first daguerreotype in Philadelphia on 16 October. The picture measures 1 1/8 inches x 1 1/2 inches and showing the old arsenal and the cupola of the Philadelphia Central High School, was taken from a window of the Mint. It is the earliest surviving American daguerreotype and is preserved at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Though by no means perfect, even allowing for blemishes and dust which may have accumulated on it later, this first attempt was nevertheless 'sufficiently successful to demonstrate the beauty of the art when perfected; and we add that the success also shows the art to be quite susceptible of great and important improvements.'" Gernsheim, Helmut and Alison. L.J.M. Daguerre: The History of the Diorama and the Daguerreotype (New York: Dover Publications, Inc.,1968. Second revised edition) p.132. [Editorial note: Gernsheim incorrectly states the dimensions of the daguerreotype.] |
| 5. |  | Joseph Saxton 1839, 16 October (taken) Central High School, Philadelphia Gelatin silver print, copy of a daguerreotype Historical Society of Pennsylvania Record Number: 781, Collection: Treasures Collection [0978] The daguerreotype Saxton took of Philadelphia's first Central High School and the State Armory is perhaps the earliest daguerreotype ever taken in the United States, and certainly represents the oldest American daguerreotype extant. It is now in the custody of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Source: Arthur H. Frazier, Joseph Saxton and His Contributions to the Medal Ruling and Photographic Arts, Smithsonian Studies in History and Technology; 32 "Following a detailed description of the process published by Professor J.F. Frazer in the Journal of the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, for October 1839, or possibly one that had already appeared in the United States Gazette published in Philadelphia on 25 September, Joseph Saxton an employee of the United States Mint, took the first daguerreotype in Philadelphia on 16 October. The picture measures 1 1/8 inches x 1 1/2 inches and showing the old arsenal and the cupola of the Philadelphia Central High School, was taken from a window of the Mint. It is the earliest surviving American daguerreotype and is preserved at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Though by no means perfect, even allowing for blemishes and dust which may have accumulated on it later, this first attempt was nevertheless 'sufficiently successful to demonstrate the beauty of the art when perfected; and we add that the success also shows the art to be quite susceptible of great and important improvements.'" Gernsheim, Helmut and Alison. L.J.M. Daguerre: The History of the Diorama and the Daguerreotype (New York: Dover Publications, Inc.,1968. Second revised edition) p.132. [Editorial note: Gernsheim incorrectly states the dimensions of the daguerreotype.] |
| 6. |  | Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre 1838 (ca) Notre Dame and the Ile de la Cité, Paris Daguerreotype 15.5 x 20.6 cm Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin Gernsheim collection, 964:0020:0001-0132 |
| 7. |  | Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre 1839 (ca) View of Boulevard du Temple Daguerreotype Bayerisches Nationalmuseum Daguerre's exposure time was so long (likely between 10 and 20 minutes) he could not capture the moving figures and traffic on this bustling Paris street. Only a man who remained still while a bootblack polished his shoes was recorded, making this anonymous individual the first person to be photographed. From the New York Observer. The following is an extract from a private letter of Professor S. F. B. Morse to the editor of the Observer, dated, Paris, March 9th. [1839]. Republished in The Farmers' Register, Vol.VII, No.5, May 31, 1839, p.258. "Objects moving are not impressed. The Boulevard, so constantly filled with a moving throng of pedestrians and carriages, was perfectly solitary, except an individual who was having his boots brushed. His feet were compelled, of course, to be stationary for some time, one being on the box of the boot-black, and the other on the ground. Consequently, his boots and legs are well defined, but he is without body or head, because these were in motion." For an analysis of this photograph: Juliet Hacking (ed.), 2012, Photography: The Whole Story, (Prestel), pp. 22-23 |
| 8. |  | Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre 1839 (ca) Vue de Seine Daguerreotype 15.5 x 21.2 cm (image) 33 x 37.5 cm (frame) Musée français de la Photographie Inventory no: 88.6795.1 |
| 9. |  | Vincent Chevalier 1840 (ca) Vue de Paris: La Seine, le Louvre et la Statue D'Henri IV Daguerreotype, whole plate Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) Museum purchase funded by the Brown Foundation Accessions Endowment Fund, Object number: 2014.256 On the reverse of the mount, Chevalier's Studio Label with Quai de l'Horloge No.69 address. Daguerréotype pleine plaque, monté sous passe-partout. Au verso, le carton d'époque avec etiquette de l'atelier Chevalier, adresse Quai de l'Horloge no. 69. (Alan Griffiths, 11 July 2020) Now in the collection of the Mouseum of Fine Arts, Houston. |
| 10. |  | Samuel A. Bemis 1840-1841 View of a Barn in New Hampshire Daguerreotype 6 3/16 x 8 5/16 in. J. Paul Getty Museum The J. Paul Getty Trust (84.XT.180.2) |
| 11. |  | Samuel A. Bemis 1840-1841 [View in New Hampshire] Daguerreotype 14.6 x 20 cm (5 3/4 x 7 7/8 ins) Metropolitan Museum of Art Gilman Collection, Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation, 2005, Accession Number: 2005.100.207 |
| 12. |  | Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey 1842 Athènes, Parthénon. Fac[ade] et C[olonnade] Nord Daguerreotype Christie's - London Christies (Sale 6762: Lot 11 - 20 May 2003, 6:30 pm - Important Daguerreotypes By Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey - From the Archive of the Artist) |
| 13. |  | Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey 1842 Athènes, T[emple] de J[upiter] Olympien pris de L'Est Daguerreotype National Collection of Qatar Christies, London (Sale 6762: Lot 13 - 20 May 2003, 6:30 pm - Important Daguerreotypes By Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey - From the Archive of the Artist) |
| 14. |  | Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey 1842-1844 Constantinople. Sérail pris de Péra Daguerreotype Christie's - London Christies (Sale 6762: Lot 44 - 20 May 2003, 6:30 pm - Important Daguerreotypes By Joseph-Philibert Girault de Prangey - From the Archive of the Artist) |
| 15. |  | Noël Marie Paymal Lerebours 1841-1842 (publication) Pyramid of Cheops [Excursions daguerriennes : vues et monuments les plus remarquables du globe] Aquatint, based on a Daguerreotype 27 x 39 cm NYPL - New York Public Library Image id: 1690379 Additional Name(s): Lerebours, N.-P. (Noël Paymal), 1807-1873 - Photographer |
| 16. |  | Noël Marie Paymal Lerebours 1840 (ca) View of Notre Dame, Paris Daguerreotype 8.5 x 6.5 ins Museum of the History of Science |
| 17. |  | Noël Marie Paymal Lerebours 1840 (ca) The Chambre des Deputés, Paris Daguerreotype Museum of the History of Science The image is extremely faint in the original, although there is sharp detail, including one remarkable feature: a sentry, just visible in the original outside the sentry box to the right of centre, who for his patience in standing still for what must have been nearly twenty minutes, is quite possibly the earliest person to be recorded on a photograph. |
| 18. |  | Paul Michel Hossard 1844 (ca) View of Angoulême Daguerreotype 7.5 x 10.3 cm (2 15/16 x 4 ins) (image) Cleveland Museum of Art John L. Severance Fund, Accession No.: 1996.21 |
| 19. |  | Unidentified photographer 1848-1855 View of the promenade and harbour of Angers, France Daguerreotype 16.6 x 22.2 cm Universiteit Leiden, Prentenkabinet www.daguerreobase.org - Daguerreobase no: PKL-MM.0002 |
| 20. |  | Unidentified daguerreotypist n.d. View of Toulouse Daguerreotype, stereo Larry Gottheim, Be-hold, Inc Auction: 25 November 2013, Lot: 42 |
| 21. |  | Unidentified daguerreotypist n.d. View of Toulouse Daguerreotype, stereo, half Larry Gottheim, Be-hold, Inc Auction: 25 November 2013, Lot: 42 |
| 22. |  | Pierre-Ambroise Richebourg 1840 (ca) Rome: Le Temple d'Hercule ou de Vesta Daguerreotype 12 x 16 cm Musée d'Orsay Sur plaque estampée en creux sur le bord droit ""Daguerréotype Richebourg a Paris, Quai de l'Horloge 69"", poinçon 30 millièmes. C. 1844." |
| 23. |  | Pierre-Ambroise Richebourg 1840 (ca) Rome: Le Forum romain avec Temple de Saturne Daguerreotype 12 x 16 cm Interencheres - La Gallerie de Chartes Exceptionnel ensemble de 9 daguerréotypes Romes, vers 1840 (Galerie de Chartres, Auction, 23 October 2011, Lot: 4) Sur plaque estampée en creux sur le bord droit ""Daguerréotype Richebourg a Paris, Quai de l'Horloge 69"", poinçon 30 millièmes. C. 1844." |
| 24. |  | Pierre-Ambroise Richebourg 1840 (ca) Rome: Place et Basilique Saint Pierre Daguerreotype 12 x 16 cm Interencheres - La Gallerie de Chartes Exceptionnel ensemble de 9 daguerréotypes Romes, vers 1840 (Galerie de Chartres, Auction, 23 October 2011, Lot: 8) Sur plaque estampée en creux sur le bord gauche ""Daguerréotype Richebourg a Paris, Quai de l'Horloge 69"",poinçon 30 millièmes. C. 1844." |
| 25. |  | Unidentified photographer 1845 (or after) The facade of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome with on the foreground of the square Bernini Daguerreotype FotoMuseum Provincie Antwerpen - FOMU www.daguerreobase.org - Daguerreobase no: FMA-P-1966-114 |
| 26. |  | Unidentified photographer 1845 (or after) Detail of the facade of the Duomo di Siena Daguerreotype FotoMuseum Provincie Antwerpen - FOMU www.daguerreobase.org - Daguerreobase no: FMA-P-1966-113 |
| 27. |  | Unidentified photographer (French or Italian) 1845 (ca) View of Pisa Daguerreotype 3 3/8 x 6 1/8 ins J. Paul Getty Museum 84.XT.1580.3 |
| 28. |  | Unidentified photographer (French) 1844, May View of Pisa along the Arno River Daguerreotype 4 3/16 x 5 11/16 ins J. Paul Getty Museum 84.XT.265.20 |
| 29. |  | John Ruskin and Le Cavalier Iller 1851 (ca) Venice. The Ducal Palace, the Zecca and the Campanile with Moored Ships in Foreground Daguerreotype, 1/2 plate Ken & Jenny Jacobson Le Cavalier Iller was a professional photographer who collaborated with Ruskin. |
| 30. |  | The "Frenchman" 1845 Venice. The Grand Canal. The Casa d'Oro Under Restoration Daguerreotype Ken & Jenny Jacobson The photograph was taken by a man known as 'Frenchman', a photographer who John Ruskin met in Venice and from whom he purchased his first daguerreotypes of the city in 1845. |
| 31. |  | John Ruskin and Le Cavalier Iller 1846-1852 (ca) Venice. Palazzo Gritti-Badoer with Laundry Daguerreotype, 1/2 plate Ken & Jenny Jacobson Le Cavalier Iller was a professional photographer who collaborated with Ruskin. |
| 32. |  | The "Frenchman" 1845 Venice. St. Mark's and the Piazza Daguerreotype, 1/4 plate Ken & Jenny Jacobson The photograph was taken by a man known as 'Frenchman', a photographer who John Ruskin met in Venice and from whom he purchased his first daguerreotypes of the city in 1845. |
| 33. |  | Unidentified daguerreotypist 1848 (?) Palazzo Foscari in Venice Daguerreotype Albertina www.daguerreobase.org - Daguerreobase no: FotoGLV2000/10064 1848 |
| 34. |  | John Plumbe Jr. 1846 The United States Capitol Daguerreotype, 1/2 plate 8.9 x 11.9 cm (3 1/2 x 4 11/16 in) J. Paul Getty Museum Object number: 96.XT.62 |
| 35. |  | John Plumbe Jr. 1846 (ca) [United States Capitol, Washington, D.C., east front elevation] Daguerreotype Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division DAG no. 1230, LC-USZC4-3595 DLC (color film copy transparency post-1992) |
| 36. |  | John Plumbe Jr. 1846 (ca) [United States Patent Office, Washington, D.C., showing F Street facade, possibly taken from the upper floor of the General Post Office] Daguerreotype, 1/2 plate Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division Purchase; 1972; (DLC/PP-1972:R01.1) CALL NUMBER: DAG no. 1229 |
| 37. |  | Fontayne & Porter 1848, September Plate 3, Botanico-Medical College (AKA Mrs. Francis Trollope's Bazaar) (r of c) Christ Church (directly r) [The Cincinnati Panorama] Daguerreotype, compiled from micrographic scans 6.5 x 8.25 ins Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Originally entitled "Daguerreotype View of Cincinnati. Taken from Newport, Ky." |
| 38. |  | Fontayne & Porter 1848, September Plate 6, Kilgore House (c, l of bridge). Observatory (c. r of bridge) [The Cincinnati Panorama] Daguerreotype, compiled from micrographic scans 6.5 x 8.25 ins Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County Originally entitled "Daguerreotype View of Cincinnati. Taken from Newport, Ky." |
| 39. |  | Unidentified photographer 1840-1855 The convent church of Beaumont Le Roger en Haute-Normandie, France Daguerreotype 9.1 x 11.6 cm FotoMuseum Provincie Antwerpen - FOMU www.daguerreobase.org - Daguerreobase no: FMA-P-1966-095 |
| 40. |  | Unidentified photographer 1840-1855 The castle of Falaise, Normandy Daguerreotype FotoMuseum Provincie Antwerpen - FOMU www.daguerreobase.org - Daguerreobase no: FMA-P-1966-111 |
| 41. |  | Adolphe Kips de Coppin 1844-1870 View of Chateau Neercanne near Maastricht Daguerreotype, 1/4 plate Gemeentelijke Archiefdienst Maastricht www.daguerreobase.org - Daguerreobase no: GAM-9809/1 |
| 42. |  | George Skene Keith 1859 Roman Temple at Gerasa Engraving, from a Daguerreotype Google Books Alexander Keith Evidence of the Truth of the Christian Religion derived from the Literal Fulfilment of Prophecy, Thirty-seventh edition (London, T. Nelson and Sons, 1859) between p.130-131. The ancient city of Gerasa is the modern city of Jerash in the north of Jordan. |
| 43. |  | George Skene Keith 1859 Petra Engraving, from a Daguerreotype Google Books Alexander Keith Evidence of the Truth of the Christian Religion derived from the Literal Fulfilment of Prophecy, Thirty-seventh edition (London, T. Nelson and Sons, 1859) between p.330-331. |
| 44. |  | Jean-Baptiste-Louis Gros 1851 Bridge and Boats on the Thames Daguerreotype Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Département des Estampes et de la Photographie (BnF) Collection Georges Sirot, Rés. Eg8-279, Identifiant: ark:/12148/btv1b69034910 |
| 45. |  | Jean-Baptiste-Louis Gros 1850, May-June View of the East Facade of the Propylaea on the Acropolis, Athens Daguerreotype 14.9 x 20 cm (5 7/8 x 7 7/8 ins) CCA: Canadian Centre for Architecture This Daguerreotype was included in "The Dawn of Photography: French Daguerreotypes, 1839-1855" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum. |
| 46. |  | Jean-Baptiste-Louis Gros 1850, May Monument of Lysicrates, Athens Daguerreotype, 1/2 plate 10.8 x 14.7 cm (visible) George Eastman Museum Gift of Eastman Kodak Company: ex-collection Gabriel Cromer, 69:0265:0123 |
| 47. |  | Jean-Baptiste-Louis Gros 1855 (ca) La Fontaine et le Marché des Innocents, Paris Daguerreotype Westlicht Photographica Auctions 6th WestLicht Photo Auction, May 12th 2012, Lot: 1004 |
| 48. |  | Jean-Baptiste-Louis Gros 1842 Calle del Observatorio, Bogotá [Colombia] Daguerreotype Source requested Published in Beaumont Newhall's History of Photography, Current location unknown. |
| 49. |  | Jean-Baptiste-Louis Gros 1842 Vue de la Cathedrale de Bogota [Colombia] Daguerreotype Tokyo Photographic Art Museum No. 20002262 |
| 50. |  | Charles DeForest Fredricks 1854 Oath of the Constitution of Buenos Aires Province at "Plaza de la Victoria" (current "Plaza de Mayo") Daguerreotype, detail Creative Commons - Wikipedia Museo Histórico Nacional (Argentina) Reproduced in La Fotografía en la Historia Argentina, Tomo I, (Clarín), 2005 |
| 51. |  | Unidentified photographer 1852-1854 El Fuerte de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires, antes de su demolición. El fuerte estaba ubicada donde esta hoy la Casa Rosada [Argentina] Daguerreotype Creative Commons - Wikipedia Museo Histórico Nacional (Argentina) |
| 52. |  | Southworth & Hawes 1855 [View Down Brattle Street from the Southworth & Hawes Studio at 5 1/2 Tremont Row, Boston] Daguerreotype 21.6 x 16.5 cm (8 1/2 x 6 1/2 ins) Metropolitan Museum of Art Gift of I. N. Phelps Stokes, Edward S. Hawes, Alice Mary Hawes, and Marion Augusta Hawes, 1937, Accession Number: 37.14.3 |
| 53. |  | Unknown Artist 1850 (ca) San Francisco Daguerreotype 21.6 x 16.5 cm (8 1/2 x 6 1/2 ins) Metropolitan Museum of Art Gift of I. N. Phelps Stokes, Edward S. Hawes, Alice Mary Hawes, and Marion Augusta Hawes, 1937, Accession Number: 37.14.42 |
| 54. |  | Unidentified photographer n.d. Paris Daguerreotype, 1/4 plate Capitol Gallery Courtesy of Capitol Gallery (Spring 2007 Auction, #1) Paris - the birthplace of photography! Images of this amazing city rarely become available, and when it does, it is usually of an individual building or a street scene. We are pleased to feature a magnificent quarter-plate daguerreotype that reveals an expansive view of Paris, circa 1850. This spectacular image provides detailed illustrations of many notable and historic buildings: the larger domed building on the right is Les Invalides; the domed building to the left is the Pantheon; and the twin towers further to the left belong to Saint-Sulpice. Finally, Notre Dame is seen in on the far left horizon. The immediate foreground offers a view of the Seine as well as the ordinary structures of everyday living such as houses, businesses, and churches. This daguerreotype appears to be laterally correct. Taking into consideration the position of the landmarks, the photographer would have likely have had to have been positioned between the bridge footing on the avenue Marceau and the Pont d'Iena, which is currently the avenue de New York. The image is in excellent condition with lovely tonal qualities. It is presented in the typical passe-partout presentation with a loop attached to facilitate wall hanging. |
| 55. |  | Thomas Easterly 1869 Destruction of Big Mound Daguerreotype Missouri Historical Society Courtesy of the Missouri History Museum, Thomas Easterly Collection N17665. This Daguerreotype was uploaded to Flickr (2009-2010). |
| 56. |  | Thomas Easterly 1849, 17-18 May Ruins of the Great St. Louis Fire Daguerreotype Missouri Historical Society Courtesy of the Missouri History Museum, Thomas Easterly Collection N17039. This Daguerreotype was uploaded to Flickr (2009-2010). |
| 57. |  | Thomas Easterly 1848 Locust Street looking east from Fourth Street. View of lumber yard Daguerreotype Missouri Historical Society Courtesy of the Missouri History Museum, Thomas Easterly Collection N17094. This Daguerreotype was uploaded to Flickr (2009-2010). |
| 58. |  | Thomas Easterly 1848 Canton Tea Company and Union Fire Company # 2, Fourth and Olive Street, Northwest corner. [Laterally reversed]. Daguerreotype Missouri Historical Society Courtesy of the Missouri History Museum, Thomas Easterly Collection N17061. This Daguerreotype was uploaded to Flickr (2009-2010). |
| 59. |  | Thomas Easterly 1851, 18 July Chouteau's Pond, South to Eight and Gratiot Daguerreotype Missouri Historical Society Courtesy of the Missouri History Museum, Thomas Easterly Collection N17018. This Daguerreotype was uploaded to Flickr (2009-2010). |
| 60. |  | Frederick C. Coombs 1851 Corner of Clay and Montgomery Streets, San Francisco Daguerreotype 12 x 8 cm George Eastman Museum |
| 61. |  | Choiselat & Ratel 1840-1850 (ca) Les arènes d'Arles Daguerreotype 15.3 x 20.7 cm (image) Musée français de la Photographie Inventory no: 88.6745.1 |
| 62. |  | Choiselat & Ratel 1844, 1 May Défilé sur le Pont-Royal Daguerreotype Metropolitan Museum of Art Gilman Collection, Gift of The Howard Gilman Foundation, 2005, Accession Number: 2005.100.185 |
| 63. |  | Choiselat & Ratel 1845 Valley in the French Alps [Tal in den Französischen Alpen] Daguerreotype 20.6 x 16.3 cm Private collection of W. & T. Bosshard Courtesy of Carl Mautz Vintage Photography & Publishing This Daguerreotype was published in Kunst und Magie der Daguerreotypie Collection of W. + T. Bosshard by René Perret (2006), p.191 |
| 64. |  | Choiselat & Ratel 1845 Landscape with Cottage Daguerreotype 6 7/16 x 8 9/16 ins (16.4 x 21.7 cm) Metropolitan Museum of Art Louis V. Bell Fund, 1994 (1994.417) |
| 65. |  | Choiselat & Ratel 1849 The Pavillon de Flore and the Tuileries Gardens Daguerreotype 15.2 x 18.7 cm (6 x 7 3/8 in) Metropolitan Museum of Art Gilman Collection, Purchase, The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundation Gift, 2005 (2005.100.29) Marie-Charles-Isidore Choiselat (French, 1815-1858); Stanislas Ratel (French, 1824-1904) (Curatorial description, accessed: 19 January 2023) Taken in September 1849 from a window of the École des Beaux-Arts, this daguerreotype exhibits the dazzling exactitude and presence that characterize these mirrors of reality. True to the daguerreotype's potential, stationary objects are rendered with remarkable precision; under magnification one can clearly discern minute architectural details on the Pavillon de Flore, features of statuary and potted trees in the Tuileries Gardens, even the chimney pots on the buildings in the background along the rue de Rivoli. Daguerre himself had chosen a nearly identical vantage point in 1839 for one of his earliest demonstration pieces, and it may well have been with that archetypal image in mind that Choiselat and Ratel made this large daguerreotype a decade later. Choiselat and Ratel, among the earliest practitioners to utilize and improve upon Daguerre's process, first published their methods for enhancing the sensitivity of the daguerreotype plate in 1840 and had achieved exposure times of under two seconds by 1843. Unlike Daguerre's long exposure, which failed to record the presence of moving figures, this image includes people (albeit slightly blurred) outside the garden gates, on the Pont Royal, and peering over the quai wall above the floating warm-bath establishment moored in the Seine. Still more striking is the dramatic rendering of the cloud-laden sky, achieved by the innovative technique of masking the upper portion of the plate partway through the exposure. (Mike Robinson, Facebook comment, 19 January 2022) I suspect is was a mask sandwiched between the plate holder and camera back based on the definite soft edge. As the mask would have to be at the bottom, the daguerreians would have to have it in place for a brief first exposure, (a second or two) then replace the darkslide to remove the plate holder to extract the paper. Finally returning the plate holder to the camera to complete the exposure. Dodging with a card in front of the lens may have worked also but the penumbra would be softer and less precise…I guess. (Alan Griffiths, 11 July 2020) In a Zoom meeting on "French Daguerreotypes" presented by Malcolm Daniel, curator of photography at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Mike Robinson described two ways this plate could have been made. One way was using a mask within the camera but the easier way would be to hold a mask steady in front of the camera as this would allow the correct exposure of both the buildings and the clouds. |
| 66. |  | Choiselat & Ratel 1849, February La Grande Galerie du Louvre Daguerreotype 14 x 19 cm (image) Musée français de la Photographie Inventory no: 88.6744.2 |
| 67. |  | M. de St. Croix 1839 Parliament Street from Trafalgar Square Daguerreotype Victoria and Albert Museum Museum number: PH.1-1986 Summary information provided by the V&A (Accessed: 7 April 2010). This is the oldest photograph in the Museum's collection. It is a daguerreotype, a unique image formed on a silvered copper plate. The daguerreotype was the first photographic process, publicised in January 1839. It was named after its inventor, Louis Daguerre. Just a few weeks later the first public demonstration of the daguerreotype in London was organised by a Monsieur de St Croix. This is therefore among the very first photographs taken in London. The scene is reversed - as is characteristic of the process - and the image on the shiny surface is difficult to read. However, once caught at the correct angle, amazing detail emerges. In the foreground there is a statue of Charles I and in the distance the royal Banqueting House. There are also traces of the people who stayed still long enough to register on the exposure, which probably lasted some minutes. |
| 68. |  | Vincent Chevalier 1839 Pont Neuf, Paris Daguerreotype Peabody Essex Museum Accession Number: 1231, Gift of John Burley, 1858 |
| 69. |  | Hugh Lee Pattinson 1840, April Niagara Falls Daguerreotype, whole plate 6.5 x 8.5 ins Newcastle University Library - Special Collections Hugh Lee Pattinson was a British industrialist and metallurgist who visited Canada on a business trip soon after the Daguerreotype method was announced in 1839. This photograph was taken at Niagara Falls and is considered to be amongst the earliest photographs, if not the earliest, taken in Canada. Eight Daguerreotypes by Pattinson are retained by Newcastle University Library. "Canada's First Daguerreian Image", Graham W. Garrett, History of Photography, Issue 20-2, Summer 1996, 101-103 |
| 70. |  | John Ruskin 1840s Architectural study taken in Italy, almost certainly Venice Daguerreotype Museum of the History of Science Inventory No: 73580, Minn Collection |
| 71. |  | Hermann Biow 1842 [The destruction of the Hamburg fire of 1842] Daguerreotype Creative Commons - Wikipedia This photograph was for a long time attributed to Carl Ferdinand Stelzner but it is now known to be by Hermann Biow. Eckart Klessmann, 1981, Geschichte der Stadt Hamburg, (Hamburg: Hoffmann und Campe) |
| 72. |  | Jules Itier 1844, November Canton Daguerreotype 17 x 21 cm (mount) 9,3 x 14.3 cm (image) Musée français de la Photographie Inventory no: 90.7683.17 |
| 73. |  | Jules Itier 1844, October Vue prise de Macao Daguerreotype 17 x 21 cm (mount) 9.3 x 14.3 cm (image) Musée français de la Photographie Inventory no: 90.7683.31 |
| 74. |  | Jules Itier 1844, October Vue renversée de la Praia Grande à Macao Daguerreotype 17 x 21 cm (mount) 9.3 x 14.3 cm (image) Musée français de la Photographie Inventory no: 90.7683.15 |
| 75. |  | Jules Itier 1844, October Porte de la Grande Pagode de la ville chinoise à Macao Daguerreotype 17 x 21 cm (mount) 9.3 x 14.3 cm (image) Musée français de la Photographie Inventory no: 90.7683.3 |
| 76. |  | Jules Itier 1844, November Principal corps de logis de la maison de campagne de Pan Tsen Chen, grand mandarin de 1ere classe bouton rouge, plume de paon, au-dessus de Canton Daguerreotype 17 x 21 cm (mount) 9.3 x 14.3 cm (image) Musée français de la Photographie Inventory no: 90.7683.25 |
| 77. |  | Carleton E. Watkins 1852 (ca) Valparaiso, Chile Daguerreotype 6 1/2 x 8 1/2 ins J. Paul Getty Museum 2008.29 |
| 78. |  | Joseph Wilhelm Pero 1847 (before) The Marienkirche (St. Mary's) in Lübeck Daguerreotype Creative Commons - Wikipedia Scanned from Fritz Kempe, Daguerreotypie in Deutschland (Heering-Verlag 1979) ISBN 3-7763-5190-X |
| 79. |  | Joseph Wilhelm Pero 1847 (before) The Rathaus (Town Hall) of Lübeck Daguerreotype Creative Commons - Wikipedia Scanned from Fritz Kempe, Daguerreotypie in Deutschland (Heering-Verlag 1979) ISBN 3-7763-5190-X |
| 80. |  | Joseph Wilhelm Pero 1847 (before) The Burgtor town gate in Lübeck Daguerreotype Creative Commons - Wikipedia Scanned from Fritz Kempe, Daguerreotypie in Deutschland (Heering-Verlag 1979) ISBN 3-7763-5190-X |
| 81. |  | Joseph Wilhelm Pero 1847 Der Lübecker Dom mit den Resten des vom 13. bis zum 15. Jahrhundert errichteten Domklosters (1889 grösstenteils abgetragen zugunsten eines Museumsneubaus) Uncertain type Creative Commons - Wikipedia Scanned from Thorsten Albrecht, Rundgang durch das alte Lubeck (Wartberg Verlag, 2001) |
| 82. |  | Jules Itier 1845-1846 The Ramasseum, Thebes Daguerreotype 5 11/16 x 3 11/16 in J. Paul Getty Museum © J. Paul Getty Trust [84.XT.265.3] |
| 83. |  | Margaritis & Perraud 1847 The Arch of Hadrian, Athens Daguerreotype 5 1/16 x 6 in J. Paul Getty Museum The J. Paul Getty Trust (90.XT.65.9) |
| 84. |  | Charles-François Thibault 1848 Barricades Before the Attack, Rue Saint-Maur (French: Barricades avant l'attaque, Rue Saint-Maur) Daguerreotype Musée Carnavalet Inventory no: PH2861 Illustrations based upon the Daguerreotypes of M. Thibault were published in the French magazine L'illustration n. 279 -280, 1 to 8 July 1848 and in a special issue of Journées illustrées de la révolution de 1848 published in August 1848. |
| 85. |  | William Edward Kilburn 1848, 10 April Great Chartist Meeting on Kennington Common Daguerreotype 10.7 x 14.7 cm Royal Photograph Collection The Royal Collection ® 2010, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, RCIN 2932484 This Daguerreotype was included in the exhibition Victoria & Albert: Art & Love at The Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, until 31 October 2010. Purchased by Prince Albert in 1848. In 2010 this photograph was uploaded to flickr by The British Monarchy. |
| 86. |  | Unidentified photographer n.d. Artistic scene with house Daguerreotype Private collection of Robin Kelsey and Michael Lehr Of the numerous daguerreian portraits, only a few attain true artistic status. The same is true of the less common scenes with houses. Here is one of those very special ones. The house itself is of a nice scale within the horizontal + plate format. The verticals of the tree [slightly leaning,] the two hitching posts, the chimneys and the geometric shapes of the house make a fine composition. The foliage is rich. The light comes strongly from the left, making a clear shadow of the right chimney, and illuminating the left side of the hitching post at right. There is a light "shadow" coming down from the left chimney, probably where the roof was somewhat protected from the weather by the chimney. There are other interesting details, such as the rough pile of rocks in front, and the rustic fence. The image is rich and clear and the plate is perfect, re-sealed against the mat. In a nice case with separated cover. |
| 87. |  | Unidentified photographer n.d. [top] Mine on Bogus Creek, Siskiyou County. [bottom] Bogus Creek and Bogus Mountain. Daguerreotype California State Library Record no: 001379279 (top), Description from the California State Library website (Accessed: 1 July 2010): According to Erwin G. Gudde, California Gold Camps, "The place is so named because counterfeiters operated here." No gold was found. These "daguerreotypes on glass" illustrate the gullibility of the miners as they rushed off to new claims in response to rumors of rich strikes. |
| 88. |  | Unidentified photographer 1845 (ca) St. Paul‘s Cathedral Daguerreotype 14.4 x 9.9cm (visible) Royal Photographic Society © Royal Photographic Society, 1999 |
| 89. |  | Unknown artist 1845-1850 The Pont-Neuf, the Louvre, and the Quai de la Mégisserie, Paris Daguerreotype 11.1 x 37.5 cm (4 3/8 x 14 3/4 ins) Musée Carnavalet Inventory Number: PH1827 This Daguerreotype was included in "The Dawn of Photography: French Daguerreotypes, 1839-1855" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum. |
| 90. |  | Unidentified photographer 1847-1848 (ca) Plaza, Saltillo, Mexico, to N.E. Daguerreotype 8 x 10 cm Yale University, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Call number: WA Photos 26, Image ID number: 1005274 |
| 91. |  | Unidentified photographer 1848, 23 June (?) Castle [Ansicht von Bamberg] Daguerreotype 9.6 x 7.2 / 15.2 x 12.6 cm Private collection of W. & T. Bosshard Courtesy of Carl Mautz Vintage Photography & Publishing This Daguerreotype was published in Kunst und Magie der Daguerreotypie Collection of W. + T. Bosshard by René Perret (2006), p.197 |
| 92. |  | Unidentified photographer 1850, Summer Religious Ceremony on Martinique Daguerreotype 4 3/8 x 5 13/16 in. J. Paul Getty Museum The J. Paul Getty Trust (84.XT.1581.12) Curatorial description (Accessed: 2 June 2018) This photograph records the baptismal ceremony for the slaves of the West Indian island of Martinique, for whom the rite represented affirmation from the church of their recent emancipation from slavery. Within the densely packed throng, a white-robed group at lower center dissolves into a spectral blur, their exuberant movement uncontainable by the camera. Abolishing slavery in all its colonies was one of the goals declared by the new French provisional government in early 1848. Although news of this objective reached Martinique in late March, freedom was not formally granted until May of that year. |
