Foresta, Merry A., and John Wood. Secrets of the Dark Chamber: the Art of the American Daguerreotype. 1995. Washington, D.C. : National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution Press. 323 pages. Color illustrations. "Published on the occasion of the exhibition...organized by the National Museum of American Art, Smithsonian Institution, and presented from June 30 to October 29, 1995" Includes bibliographical references and index. "Here, in truth, is a discovery launched upon the world, that must make a revolution in art...in what way, in what degree, will art be affected by it?"— The New Yorker, April 20, 1839. "We have seen the views taken by the Daguerreotype, and have no hesitation in avowing, that they are the most remarkable objects of curiosity and admiration, in the arts, that we have ever beheld. Their exquisite perfection almost transcends the bounds of sober belief."—The Knickerbocker, 1839. "A daguerreotype is made on a sheet of silver-plated copper. The surface is polished to a mirror like brilliance and made light-sensitive by coating with iodine fumes. The plate is then exposed to an image sharply focused by the camera's well-ground, optically correct lens. Removed by the camera, the plate is treated with mercury vapors in order to develop the latent image. Finally, the image is "fixed" by removing the remaining photosensitive salts in a bath of "hypo" (sodium thiosulfate) and toned with gold chloride to improve contrast and durability. Color, made of powdered pigment, was applied directly to the metal surface with a finely-pointed brush." Read more about the exhibition here: <http://americanart.si.edu/collections/exhibits/helios/darkchamber.html>. Size is 12mo, 7 1/4" X 9". Fine copy in original factory shrinkwrap (not returnable after shrinkwrap has been removed). $295  plus $8.00 postage, packing, & insurance (international orders extra). For faster shipping, inquire. Credit cards not accepted.  To order this item email dick@AlaskaWanted.com

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