Charles Nègre (1820-1880) was one of the most influential photographers of the 19th century.  Painter turned genre and architectural photographer, as early as 1855 he brought the hand-pulled photogravure process to an extraordinary degree of perfection.  His work in photogravure is classical in the history of photography. The present portfolio demonstrated his successive trials, from the modest “Maçon accroupi” published in La Lumière in 1854, to the large-scale plates of Chartes cathedral, which may be considered his masterpieces. It also includes three Nadar portraits.
 
Produced in 1982 by the renowned connesuer of 19th century photography and owner of Negre’s original plates, André Jammes, this portfolio is held in the permanent collection of  the Metropolitan Museum of Art as well as the National Gallery of Canada.  It represents a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire a museum quality, historically relevant and beautiful body of 19th century work.
 
Notes form the portfolio…..

At Saint-Prex, in Switzerland, there is an exceptional experimental atelier where numerous innovative techniques are being essayed, including the revival of photographic etching.  It was therefore only natural to have the old steel plates of Charles Nègre printed in the mot favorable condition at this atelier. These thirteen plates are printed from the original steel plates made 125 years ago.  The printing methods are absolutely similar to those employed in the XIXth century...  A special ink adapted to each plate has to be devised, a very powerful and precise press used, and a hand-made paper produced, covered with “chine collé” according to the methods so appreciated by the Romantics. … This portfolio is a resurrection undertaken in a spirit of scrupulous honesty, presenting images faithful to the old proofs, which now are almost impossible to locate at any price. The thirteen plates are presented in a box with three compartments (86x67 cm.), containing the two large-size plates, the 11 smaller ones, and descriptive and historical notes.  The edition is limited to 110 copies, 100 of which are for sale.  An original etching by Charles Nègre, engraved from the famous self-portrait drawing of Ingres, is included in the text. (Jammes, 1982)

$6,000