Redefining the origins of photomechanical printing: etching, electrotyping and multiplying daguerreotypes in Europe from 1839 to 1860

我对知识的最初贡献是挑战摄影史上一个基本的“既定”：15 / 33的普遍概念，即达盖尔照相法的独特性。这种理解源于照相底片在相机中单独准备和曝光，并且不可能多次打印。然而，在1839年至1860年间，至少有40名从业者实践了将银版法转换成印刷版的方法，以便在纸上用墨水制作图像：它们被蚀刻、雕刻、电镀、电打，或者图像被转移到明胶或石膏中。这使得图像的倍增可能被认为是最早的照相印刷工艺。事实上，转换版印刷机为后来的照相凹版、光刻和凸版印刷奠定了基础。因此，我认为达盖尔照相法的唯一性概念需要修正。为了验证这一假设，我的方法将包括历史文献研究和对遗产收藏中的原始材料的检查，然后是手工重新创造过程，最后是比较仪器分析来研究印刷技术之间的物理差异。DMU摄影历史研究中心为该项目带来了这一领域的国际卓越成就，拥有广泛的专业图书馆。在Kelley Wilder、Joanne Horton和Haida Liang的指导下，他们分别在摄影史和科学史、19世纪电镀和艺术材料的仪器分析方面具有专业知识，将提供广泛而具体的学术和基于实践的卓越研究的独特融合，这是无与伦比的。

My original contribution to knowledge is to challenge a fundamental 'given' in photographic history: the 15 / 33 common concept of the daguerreotype's uniqueness. This understanding derives from the photographic plates being individually prepared and exposed in the camera, and no multiple prints being possible. However, at least 40 practitioners between 1839 and 1860 practiced methods of converting daguerreotypes into printing plates for creating images in ink on paper: they were etched, engraved, electroplated, electrotyped, or the image was transferred in gelatine or cast in plaster. This enabled the multiplication of images with what might be considered the earliest photomechanical printing processes. The converted aguerreotype, in fact, set the stage for the later photogravure, photolithography, and relief printing. I therefore argue that the concept of the daguerreotype's uniqueness needs revision. To test this hypothesis, my methodology will consist of historical literature research and examination of original materials in heritage collections, followed by hands-on re-creation of the processes, and finally comparative instrumental analysis to study the physical differences between printing techniques. The DMU Photographic History Research Centre brings to the project international excellence in this field with an extensive specialised library. Supervision by Kelley Wilder, Joanne Horton and Haida Liang with expertise respectively in history of photography and science, 19th century electroplating and instrumental analysis of art materials will provide a unique blend of broad and specific academic and practice-based research excellence that is unrivalled.