I have no "period" news for today, but will rather post the following 
inquiry and announcement:
- - - - - - - -

An inquiry from Joe Bauman:

   I am on the verge of identifying a beautiful half-plate dag I 
acquired recently of a Mexican War officer and his wife -- taken by the 
Collins brothers in Philadelphia in 1848.  I have narrowed the 
possibilities for the officer down to three men; one is much more 
likely than the others.  I think it was First Lt. Andrew Tippin of the 
U.S. 11th Infantry.  He was the colonel of the 68th Pennsylvania 
Infantry during the Civil War.  If I could locate a picture of him 
during the Civil War I could verify if it's Tippin in the dag.
   Unfortunately, I haven't been able to come up with any book, or any 
collection, that has a photo of Tippin.  I am wondering if you could 
broadcast a plea for help to the DagNews folks because many also 
collect Civil War views.  Someone might have a photo of Tippin or know 
a place that would have one.  I have tried the Historical Society of 
Pennsylvania, the National Archives, the Library of Congress, the 
Military History Institute, a professor who's an expert at Gettysburg 
(Tippin commanded a division at Gettysburg) and a few other places -- 
nobody has seen a photo of him.  It seems strange to me that an officer 
who was a commander at Gettysburg doesn't show up in a photo in any 
history book or collection.

Thanks much,
   Joe Bauman
   bau@desnews.com

* * * * * * * * * * *

I will be posted a review of this book in the near future, but thought 
I should (belatedly) pass along this press release.  The book is indeed 
fabulous.  --Gary W. Ewer


NEWS FROM GETTY TRUST PUBLICATIONS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Stacy Lieberman
April10, 1998
(310) 440-6795

New Book Chronicles the Dawn of Photography

In 1839, Louis Daguerre--French inventor, painter, and stage designer--
introduced the daguerreotype.  In "The Silver Canvas: Daguerreotype 
Masterpieces from the J. Paul Getty Museum" (J. Paul Getty Museum, 
$80.00), Bates Lowry and Isabel Barrett Lowry document Daguerre's 
miraculous invention.  The book is the companion volume for "The Art of 
the Daguerreotype," an exhibition at the J. Paul Getty Museum running 
through July 12, 1998.
   Using first-hand reports, the authors vividly convey how Daguerre 
captured the public's imagination and inspired others to embrace this 
unique art form.  In nearly eighty examples--most never previously 
published--selected from the almost two thousand daguerreotypes in the 
J. Paul Getty Museum's comprehensive photographic collection, the 
authors present the historical and artistic development of the 
daguerreian process, chronicling more than two decades of European and 
American history and culture.  Their narrative uncovers important new 
information about Daguerre's invention.
   "The Silver Canvas," which derives its title from the term used by 
Daguerre's principal proponent to describe the new medium, details the 
impact of the daguerreotype's discovery on the scientific, social, and 
artistic movements of the day.  The recording of historical places, 
monuments, and contemporary events; still lifes; and portraits--even 
self-portraits of these pioneers of photography themselves--all gave 
voice to the daguerreotypists' journey toward self-expression.  Their 
pursuit of art and the essence of nature culminated in the creation of 
a new visual language and the formation of a completely original art 
form.

About the Authors

Bates Lowry is an art historian, former museum director, and the author 
of "The Visual Experience, Renaissance Architecture, and Building a 
National Image."  Isabel Barrett Lowry is former executive director of 
The Dunlap Society, an organization devoted to the education and 
appreciation of American art, and an independent researcher and 
photographer.  The Lowrys are currently working on a book reflecting 
their interest in hand-colored photography entitled The Lens and the 
Palette.

Publication Information:
"The Silver Canvas: Daguerreotype Masterpieces from the J. Paul Getty 
Museum"
Bates Lowry and Isabel Barrett Lowry
256 pages, 9 x 11 inches
Publication Date: May 20, 1998
ISBN 0-89236-368-1, $80.00
J. Paul Getty Museum

For information about the exhibition, "The Art of the Daguerreotype," 
please contact Jean Lin, Public Affairs, at (310) 440-7072.  Visit our 
new web site at:

     http://www.getty.edu/publications.

* * * * * * * *

I'll also mention that additional information about the book and the 
concurrent Getty exhibition "The Art of the Daguerreotype" is available 
on the "News and Events" page of The Daguerreian Society web site at:

     http://www.daguerre.org/resource/events.html


-------------------------------------------------------------
Posted for your enjoyment.     Gary W. Ewer    
-------------------------------------------------------------
05-15-98