ARAGO, FRANCOIS - LOUIS DAGUERRE. - THE INVENTION OF THE DAGUERREOTYPE.

Fixation des images qui se forment au foyer d'une chambre obscure. (Seance du Lundi 7 Janvier 1839). (+) Le Daguerréotype. (Seance du Lundi 19 Aout 1839).

Paris, Bachelier, 1839.

4to. No wrappers. In: "Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de L'Academie des Sciences", Tome VIII (No.1)+ IX, (No. 8) Entire issues offered with htitles and titlepages to both volumes. Pp. 1-36 + Pp. 249-282 and 1 lithographed plate. The papers: pp. 4-7 and pp. 250-267. A faint stamp to top of titlepages. A few brownspots to titlepages.

First Edition of the official and complete report of the invention of the "daguerreotype", the photographic process invented by Louis Daguerre. Together with the preliminary report of the invention (OF JANUARY 7). The presentation by Arago preceeded Daguerre's own publication "Historique de description des procédés du daguerreotype et du diorama", (1839).

"When the attempt to exploit the process of daguerreotype was unsuccessfull, Daguerre and Nièpce decided to offer their method to the government. Daguerre approached Francois Jean Arago, to whom he imparted, under the seal of secrecy his processes and those of Nicéphore Niépce. It was fortunate that Arago possessed such a great insight into the invention, which he received enthusiastically. He reported the invention of the daguerretype to the Academy of Sciences on January 7, 1839. The secrecy, however, was not observed very carefully, for the "Gazette de France" published a note abouit it on January 6, 1839, although without printing any details."(Eder "History of Photography").

Order-nr.: 46845