A short preface is in order for today's post.  In their book, "L.J.M. 
Daguerre; the History of the Diorama and the Daguerreotype," Helmut and 
Alison Gernsheim give the following account of the death of Daguerre:

(page 126)
      "So the years went by pleasantly, Daguerre enjoying full
    health and strength, when quite suddenly during lunch on
    Thursday, 10 July 1851, he collapsed.  His wife and niece sent
    for their neighbour and old friend Mentienne, who supported
    Daguerre in his arms.  Mme Daguerre, seeing perspiration break
    out on his face, said with relief:  "Oh, it is nothing serious,
    my dear husband is going to recover"; but Mentienne, feeling
    his spasms growing weaker, realized that his life was ending,
    and in less than an hour Daguerre was dead.  A heart attack was
    the cause."

On this day (August 8) in the year 1851, the following notice appeared 
in the "Springfield Daily Republican" (Mass.) Vol. 8, No. 186 (7 August 
1851) pg. 2:
- - - - - - - -

   The operators in the daguerreotype art, in New York, have all agreed 
to wear crape on the arm for thirty days, in respect to the memory of 
the founder of their art, who recently died in France.  This testimony 
is a worthy one, but a monument would be a worthier.


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Posted for your enjoyment.     Gary W. Ewer     
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08-07-99