Alison Gernsheim Books

Finest one-volume account, including contributions of every major figure -- Niepce, Talbot, Daguerre, Herschel, Muybridge, Nadar, and many others. Topics include early photochemistry, daguerreotypes and calotypes, photography on the glass, gelatine dry plates, evolution of the camera, development of color photography, and other important topics. Second part of book focuses on content and aesthetics -- travel photography, cartes de visite, portrait and architectural photography, war reportage, and much more. Over 280 photos, including 26 in color.

A noted photohistorian documents bonnets, capes, frock coats, caps, shawls, bodices, and crinolines as people actually wore them from 1840 through 1914. More than 200 photos depict aristocrats and the middle class as well as Oscar Wilde, Lillie Langtry, Winston Churchill, Queen Victoria, and others. Commentary and annotations describe and identify the costumes.