Paris: Chez L'Auteur, Opticien, [1840]. First edition. 16mo., 79 pp. Contemporary quarter morocco with raised bands and titled in gilt, with marbled paper over boards; silk ribbon marker. Scattered foxing. Although not called for, bound in is a fine albumen photographic portrait of the author, mounted on card stock; credited in blind "H. Badie, Photographe, B. Sébastopol 17." Nicolas Henri Badié, a Parisian portrait photographer was active at this address, 1860. A very good copy. Item #54408

Jean-Baptise François Soleil (1798 - 1878) was a noted Parisian maker of optical instruments, and like the firm of Vincent and Charles Chevalier, he made instruments for noted scientific researchers. From 1823 on, he worked with Fresnel to develop his first annular lenses for use in lighthouses; this brought Soleil into contact with François Arago. In 1834, the future photographic pioneer, Luis Jules Duboscq apprenticed with Soleil and married one of his daughters. It was through Duboscq that Soleil began making daguerreotypes; there exist stereo daguerreotypes made by the two in collaboration. In 1840, Soleil introduced an actinometer for determining exposure times.

In this small volume, Soleil provides simplified instructions for making daguerreotypes based upon the latest improvements of Daguerre's process. Further, he presents Talbot's calotype and the paper processes of Bayard, Lassaigne, Becquerel, et al.

Roosens and Salu No. 2819. Bellier de la Chavignerie, Manuel Bibliographie du Photographe Francais, 1863, No. 8. WorldCat lists a single copy of this book, without the portrait frontispiece, at the Bibliothèque Municipale de Lyon. An exceedingly rare publication, enhanced with a portrait of the author/photographer.

Price: $7,500.00