Daguerreotypes

Daguerreotypes were an early form of photography which did not permit reproduction therefore the images on the plates are unique. The daguerreoytypes in Special Collections have particular significance because among them are the first-known photographic images of Niagara Falls and the Clifton Hotel, taken in 1840 by metallurgical chemist and industrialist, Hugh Lee Pattinson (1796-1858) who was Gertrude Bell's great-grandfather.

There are also two daguerreotypes depicting Rome which are signed 'Lerebours'. The daguerreotypes have deteriorated: the plates exhibit signs of spotting, surface scratches, there are cracks in the glass and the plates have oxidised but they have been conserved and digitised.

Open with some restrictions. Special Collections staff will provide researchers with further details of these restrictions.. Please follow this link for further information about how to access items from this collection: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/library/special-collections/collections/collection_details.php?id=62 .

Presented in 1926 to Newcastle University Library by Elsa Bell (the presentation was made at the same time as the Gertrude Bell book collection and photograph albums - there is mention in the records that the deguerreotypes had originally belonged to Ger

This EAD description created 10/12/2018.

UK copyright law applies

No further material is expected to be added to the collection