Bibliography:

Daguerreotype or

"Solar Painting. --The barbarous term, Daguerreotype, invented to commemorate M. Daguerre, the discoverer of the improved method of copying figures by the sun's light, denotes the instrument by which this beautiful result is obtained."

The American Joumal of Science and Arts.October, 1839.

Most of the information needed to make a daguerreotype is contained on this site. However, it is always good to get a second opinion and the following list is a must read for the seriously minded. Going into the publications of the 1840s is interesting but not very helpful because the process evolved and improved. Other books than listed will give repetitive and sometimes differing suggestions, opinions, and techniques. As you become more familiar with the process these early works can be either very helpful or very confusing.

1991 Susan Barger & Wm. White, The Daguerreotype, 19th-century Technology and
Modern Science, Smithsonian Press, ISBN # 0-87474-348-6

* 1990 Marc Baczynsky, Photocraft Mini-Guide 052: How to Make Daguerreotypes.
Embee Press Publications, Kingston, NY ISBN # 0-89816-075-8. *If this turns up, it is
truly a reference on how not to do things. Many of the procedures in this guide are
dangerous and should be avoided.

1982 History of Photography. Research Publications, Inc., Woodbridge, CT. This is
an extensive microfilm series that includes most of the important historic works
including those listed here. Also included are the Journals: American Journal of
Photography and the Allied Arts and Sciences (1853), Humphrey's Journal (1850),
The Photographic Art Journal (1851)

1977 Ken Nelson. A Practical Introduction to the Art of Daguerreotypy in the 20th
Century. Northlight, #2, March, Art Dept. Arizona State U. Tempe, AZ 85281

1971 Irving Pobboravsky, A Study of Iodized Daguerreotype Plates. Graphic Arts
Research Center, Rochester Inst. of Technology, Rochester, NY 14623

1858 S.D. Humphrey, Amercian Hand Book of the Daguerreotype. 5th ed., ISBN # 0-
405-04919-6 or Arno Press, NY reprint (1973) ISBN # 0-405-04889-0

1853 A. Bisbee, The History and Practice of Daguerreotype. Dayton, Ohio, also Arno
Press

1852 Robert J. Bingham, Photogenic Manipulation: Part II. George Knight and Sons,
Cheapside, England

1850 Levi Hill, A Treatice on Daguerreotype. Lexington, NY, also Arno Press.

Home