Giroux 'Daguerréotype'

The “Giroux Daguerréotype” is the first commercially-produced camera in the world and represents the initial spark that started the worldwide spread of photography. From 1839 it was manufactured in Paris in limited numbers by Alphones Giroux. The design was taken from original blueprints drawn up by Giroux’s brother-in-law, the inventor Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre. It is a wooden sliding box Daguerreotype camera for 167x216 mm (“full-plate” 6.5x8.5 inch) exposures. The body is made of cedar wood, but the middle part holding the lens is made of walnut wood. On the right side the printed label with a golden border strip bears Daguerre’s authentic signature and the seal of Giroux. The label is inscribed: ‘LE DAGUERRÉOTYPE EXÉCUTÉ sous la Direction des son Auteur, á Paris chez Alph. Giroux et Cie., Rue du Coq St. Honoré, No 7. Aucun Appareil n’est garanti s’il ne porte la Signature DE Mr. DAGUERRE et le Cachet de Mr. Giroux.’ (LE DAGUERRÉOTYPE, produced under the supervision of it’s inventor in Paris by Alph. Giroux and Company, Rue du Coq St. Honoré, No7. No apparatus is warranted if it does not bear the signature of Mr. Daguerre or the seal of Mr. Giroux). The seal shows minor age related chipping, is intact and reads: ‘DAGUERRÉOTYPE 1839 ALPH. GIROUX.’ Instead of a serial number the label is marked in handwriting ‘uv.’ According to Michel Auer’s expertise the meaning of this caption is unknown. The original doublet lens is produced by Charles Chevalier and has a focal length of 38cm and an opening equal to f/4. At the front of the lens is a cylindrical brass mount that functions as an aperture as well as a swivelling brass plate that serves as a shutter. On the lens cap is an inscription: 'LE DAGUERRÉOTYPE, Chez Alph. Giroux et Comp.e A PARIS’. To make the camera lightproof the interior of the front box is lined with black velvet - the cloth is original and in very good condition. The rear sliding box is designed to