On this day (August 14) in the year 1841, the following news item appeared in the "Portland Transcript." (Portland, Maine; Vol.V, No.18): - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - DAGUERREOTYPE. We have not before call- ed the attention of our readers to the opportunity now afforded of obtaining a Portrait from life by means of the Daguerreotype. Mr. Ropes has ta- ken rooms for a brief period in the Exchange, where he attends to Photographic Miniature paint- ing. A sitting of from two to four minutes will give one a perfect likeness--a portrait of wonder- ful beauty and delicacy. Our readers generally have doubtless heard of this surprising art, by which a faithful transcript of one's features may be obtain- ed, drawn by Nature's own finger, and it is well worth their while to visit Rope's Room and look over the different portraits taken in this way. When Nature paints, she paints correctly and minutely. One cannot help being astonished at the exquisite finish to be observed in these drawings. Every minute figure of the dress--every thread even may be detected--and so with the features--every line is completely shadowed forth. Mr. R. is al- ways happy to see his friends at his room--who have but to speak the word to obtain from him their counterparts. * * * * * * * * * * * (A note from Gary: Do any of my readers have easy access to a copy of the "Journal of the Franklin Institute" for the month of September 1839? I inadvertantly missed a page or two when I copied a number of articles during a research trip last year. I am needing page 210-(?) for the continuation of the article "The Daguerreotype Explained" (pg 209.) Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.) ----------------------------------------------------------------- 08-14-96