It is my usual practice to never mention anything that could be construed as "commercial." I will break with that tradition and mention something worthy of consideration. . .after the news, of course. . . On this day (February 27) in the year 1840, the following notice appeared in the "Boston Daily Evening Transcript" Vol. 11, No. 2941 (27 February 1840): - - - - - - - - - M. GOURAUD--the pupil of M. Daguerre--arrived in town this morning, and is preparing to lecture, as early as possible, on the daguerreotype system of transferring images of objects, without the intervention of any other agent than light, to plates previously prepared for the purpose. He has a choice selection of the most beautiful specimens of the art, prepared by M. Daguerre and himself, which the public will, in a few days, have an opportunity to examine, with no little wonder and astonishment. * * * * * A worthwhile book for any photohistory library is Marcus Root's "The Camera and the Pencil" (Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1864). Original copies are scarce, of course, but even copies of the 1971 Helios reprint have been notoriously difficult to locate for purchase. Stock of the 1971 Helios reprint was recently found (having been in storage for 25 years) and copies are available ($29.95) through: A Photographers Place P.O. Box 274 Prince St. Station New York, NY 10012-0005 phone: 212-431-9358 -------------------------------------------------------------- 02-27-99