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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

During this month of April, the following article appeared in "The Camera" (Philadelphia) Vol. 11, No. 4 (April 1907) page 1: - - - - - - - - - A Simple Method of Making Daguerreotypes RECENTLY we were shown a daguerreotype which, for brilliancy and perfection, was the finest we had ever seen. The subject was a modern one, and the maker of this daguerreotype, Mr. J. W. Weiseisen, of Riverton, N.J., promised to go into detail regarding the method he had employed in making them. Our mind reverted to fuming boxes and the kindred paraphernalia employed in making daguerreotypes, and we felt that we were unequal to the task of making them, but when Mr. Weiseisen stated that he could make at least a half dozen in an hour, and would demonstrate the fact, we had to believe him. Finally, the method was explained to us, and as the idea is entirely original with Mr. Weiseisen we want him to have the full credit. First, secure a piece of copper, such as is used by half-tone plate makers or engravers, or a plate such as is used by copper-plate printers, clean it carefully and have it free from scratches or markings, then go to a silver-plater and have the copper plate silver plated, then carefully burnished after the plating. From whatever negative you desire a daguerreotype make either a contact or reduced copy of it upon a lantern slide plate, developing, fixing and washing it as usual. Have the slide contrasty with clear glass in the high- lights. Place the lantern slide positive film side to the silver- plated copper plate, bind the two with binding tape or passepartout binding, and you'll have a daguerreotype far more beautiful than the original process and without its numerous failures and difficulties. A thin mirror with not do, as the thickness [sic] One is not confined to the lantern slide size, as the regular transparency plates for larger negatives may be employed as well. The cases for the daguerreotype, should you not have old ones, can be made by any casemaker for jewelers at a very trifling cost. The thin brass and copper shell or frame you can have made by any fancy metalworker, and he may have on hand a die to cut out or stamp a design on the frame if desired. If only plain frames should be wanted, buy an ordinary brass "cut out" and you can readily to the work yourself. -------------------------------------------------------------- 04-19-99

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