Antique Photographica: The Collector's Vision

The closure of the era of chemical imaging coincided with the turn of the 21st century: now is the perfect time to review what photography has been, consider what it is now, and contemplate what it will become. With contributions from 20 collectors and scholars, the collections in this book range from 1840–1940, including camera obscuras and cyanotypes to autochromes, stereoscopes, daguerreotypes. Also included are American tintypes and ambrotypes, the miniature and intricate stanhopes, magic lanterns and other optical toys, megalethoscopes, and zoetropes, and many more. Each collector has written a meticulous study to introduce their photographic passion, and with over 500 images (most never before published) of cameras and photographs alike, the truly marvelous nature of the camera and the miraculous technologies that enabled them are revealed. The transcendence and “wonder of wonders!” that is ever present within photography can still be honestly and freshly felt today. This book is ideal for those who wish to study, and experience, the everlasting marvel of camera magic.