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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

On this day (July 16) in the year 1842, the following appeared in the "Saturday Courier" (Philadelphia, Vol.12, No.590): - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - D A G U E R R E O T Y P E. One of the prominent features in this Daguerreotype mode of copying,, is the perfect degree of accuracy attained in perspective. The delineations either of the "human face divine." or of landscape or buildings, are transcripts from nature herself, rigidly preserved in every lineament and feature, and with a strict fidelity in every part save that of colour--which can, of course, be attained in no other way. Those who noticed the Daguerreotype view of the Ledger Building, the Times office, and the range of buildings up Third street, looking from Dock, which was in the late exhibition of the Artist Fund Association, will recollect the singular closeness and fidelity with which not only the general outline, but the most minute objects were delineated, even to the lettering upon the distant signs, which were plainly visible to the naked eye. This view was taken from the Daguerreotype rooms of Mr. Reed, at the corner of Dock and Third sts. A view of the Merchants' Exchange and adjacent buildings, taken from the south windows of the same establishment, present a similar evidence of the success of art, operating in unison with nature. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - (and in the advertisements) DAGUERREOTYPE MATERIALS--M.P. SIMONS, Daguerreotype, Miniature Cases and Apparatus Manu- facturer; also Importer of Plates, Chemicals, Lens, &c. together with every other article used in the art. Orders from any part of the country attended to upon the most reasonable terms, and at the shortest notice, at No. 173 Chesnut street, fourth story, opposite the State House, Philadelphia. N.B. A liberal discount to city operators, who buy to sell again. je 25 6m ----------------------------------------------------------------- 07-16-96

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