THE JOURNAL OF THE PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY OF LONDON [VOLUMES 1 - 5]. THE TRANSACTIONS OF THE SOCIETY AND A GENERAL RECORD OF PHOTOGRAPHIC ART AND SCIERNCE.
1853-1859. 8vos., variable paginations; 5 volumes bound in 3 as follows: Volumes 1 and 2 are bound together with separate title pages in contemporary half calf and marbled paper over boards, titled in gilt on the spine; Vol. 1, title page, 234 pp. with index, [No. 1, March 3, 1853 - No. 19, June 30, 1854]; Vol. 2, title page, 320 pp. with index, [No. 20, July 21, 1854 - No. 39,, February 21, 1856; Volumes 3 and 4 are bound identically to prior; Vol. 3, title page, 317 pp. with index [No. 40, March 21, 1856 - No. 55, June 22, 1857; Vol. 4, title page, 268 pp., [No. 56 , July, 21, 1857 - No. 68, July 21, 1858 Volume 5, title page, 327 pp. with index, [No. 69, August 21, 1858 - No. 86, June 15, 1859] bound later half morocco and marbled paper over boards, titled in gilt on the spine. Text of volumes 3 - 5 show a slight vertical crease from the form of mailing at the time. Fine and bright. Item #53228
The Journal of the Photographic Society, later the Royal Photographic Society, was first published on 3 March 1853 and it has been published continuously ever since. The journal's title was changed with volume 5 (1859) when it was renamed The Photographic Journal and this was recently updated to the RPS Journal. The publication is the oldest photographic periodical in the world.
The first editor-in-chief was Arthur Henfry FRS FLS. When Roger Fenton retired as the society's secretary in January 1856 the role of editor and secretary was combined. The Rev. J. R. Major was elected to the post which he held until June 1857 when William Crookes replaced him. In August 1856 Hugh Welch Diamond took over from Crookes who founded his own journal, Photographic News. Diamond remained editor until December 1868 when John Spiller took over until February 1880. The position was taken over by William de Wiveleslie Abney who remained editor well into the twentieth century.
The journal was an important medium for the announcement and discussion of new discoveries, processes, and exhibitions.. It also included ideas other photographers had to help improve their own practice, in a sort of "letter to the editor" style, as well as responses to questions.
Price: $4,250.00