Paris: Librairie de Firmin Deidot Frères, Fils et Cie, 1867 - 1868. First edition. 2 volumes bound as one. 8vo., iii, 431, [1]; 377, errata, [1]; 8 plates (some folding), of which 5 are color printed, other illustrations in text. Aside from occasional faint foxing, a fine and complete work, including half-title pages. Newly bound in cloth-backed marbled paper over boards, with a gilt titled morocco spine label. Fine. Item #53034

Alexandre Edmond Becquerel (1820 - 1891) like his father, Prof. Antoine César Becquerel, pursued a career in scientific research. His work in electricity, magnetism, optics, meteorology and photography led him to experiments in the photogalvanic effect of the solar spectrum, beginning in 1839. "In a published report concerning color photography, Becquerel expressed the opinion that the substance which conserves colored impressions when acted upon by light is sub-chloride of silver. The colors which he obtained faded slowly under light but his work, described in a paper read Dec. 18, 1857 under the title 'La Production des Couleurs sons l'action de la Lumière,' marks the beginning of color photography." Sipley, Louis Walton. PHOTOGRAPHY'S GREAT INVENTORS. p. 16.

LA LUMIÈRE SES : CAUSES ET SES EFFECTS, is in two parts, Sources de Lumière, and Effets de la Lumière. This is Becquerel's summation of his lifelong studies into the physics of light and its application, with specific attention to natural color photography.


Roosens and Salu No. 732. OCLC locates only two copies: National Library of Sweden and the British Library.

Price: $650.00