DAGUERREOTYPES

In 1839, Louis Daguerre of France introduced a process that produced some of the first photographic images. He sold his idea to the French government who made it a gift from France “free to the world”.

The process became known as the

“daguerreotype”

The idea was revolutionary. For the first time a lasting picture could be accurately produced in minutes!

How does it work?

Good Description of the Daguerreotype Process

Samuel Morse (of telegraph and Morse Code fame) was in Paris when the process was revealed. He met with Daguerre to learn of the process and then brought the idea to the United States.

Jeremiah Gurney (1812 – 1895)

Morse entered the jewelry shop of Jeremiah Gurney in New York City

and made him the offer of his lifetime.

For $25 (about $700 today), Morse would teach Gurney the daguerreotype process

so that Gurney could open his own studio.

Jeremiah Gurney became an

American daguerreotype photographer of international renown.

Gurney charged $5 for a portrait, over $150 today.

Due to the quality of his work he was considered the finest daguerrean in New York City.

THE WORK HAD ITS DANGERS

Fires were common

Fortunately, Gurney’s wife noticed that he was acting strangely

Gurney received treatment just in time

and slowly recovered from a terrible ailment

GURNEY PHOTOGRAPHED

“DISTINGUISHED PERSONS OF THE AGE”

Rather than photographing political or entertainment figures,

his clients were from New York’s society elite

In 1852, Gurney settled into a gallery at 349 Broadway in Manhattan, where he remained for more than a dozen years. Gurney’s Daguerrean Gallery was a celebrated success, it “consisted of nine spacious rooms, devoted exclusively to this art”, along with ”reception saloons” or galleries, with portraits of the “Distinguished Persons of the Age” that had been photographed at the studio.