2023 Daguerreian Society Symposium & Photo Fair

Feature Image: The first Harvard class photographs, a collection of 1852 daguerreotypes and custom storage case in the collection at the Houghton Library, Harvard University. © Jeremy Rowe

Over 130 collectors, dealers, curators and museum and library professionals came to Boston for the 36th Daguerreian Society Symposium & Photo Fair at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel September 28 – 31. Participants came from China, South America, Germany, England, Canada, and across America for the four-day event.

Thursday provided opportunities for behind-the-scenes tours for attendees, hosted by:

·       Harvard Art Museums
·       Harvard Library: Harvard University Archives, Harvard Theatre Collection, and Harrison D. Horblit Collection of Early Photography at Houghton Library
·       Boston Athenæum
·       Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The day ended with an opening reception for Symposium attendees at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

On Friday, the Symposium hosted a series of lectures at the Alfond Auditorium at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Presentations included:

The American Art-Union and the Daguerreotype, presented by photo historian, dealer, and collector Carlos Vertanessian. © Jeremy Rowe

Professor Charles Avery: The Man at the Nexus of Central New York’s Daguerreian Craze presented by photo historian, dealer and collector Erin Waters. © Jeremy Rowe

The Sea and the Soul: The Maritime Experience in 19th-Century American Photo, presented by art historian and collector Jane Turano-Thompson.

Daguerreotypes at Harvard presented by Elena Bulat, Paul M. Weissman and Harriet L. Weissman Senior Photograph Conservator, Weissman Preservation Center, Harvard Library, and Tatiana Cole, Associate Conservator of Photographs, Harvard Art Museums. © Jeremy Rowe

A History of the Boston Box presented by scholars and collectors Peter H. Schultz and Barbara W. Schultz. © Jeremy Rowe

Charles Nègre’s Photogravures: Observations Drawn from Works in Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, presented by Anne Havinga, Estrellita and Yousuf Karsh Chair of Photography, and Annette Manick, Head of Paper Conservation, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. © Jeremy Rowe

Friday evening, collector-dealer Greg French and his wife, Evelyn Tate, hosted a showcase of highlights from Greg’s world-class collection which focuses on early African American portraits and outdoor scenic daguerreotypes.

Saturday was the trade show, with over 30 international dealers. Collectors, dealers and curators flocked to the show to buy, sell and trade fine 19th century photographs.

Formal events wrapped up Saturday evening with a banquet, and fundraising events including a paddle raise, silent auction, and the closing event – a blended live and online auction.

The final event was the Daguerreian Society Board meeting.

The Daguerreian Society Board members attending the Symposium – (L to R) Bill Becker, Tim Lindholm, Dave Fondiller, Cindy Motzenbecker, Jeremy Rowe, Jo Ann Kraus, Mike Robinson, Business Manager Diane Filippi, Wes Cowan, Michael Lehr, and Susan Meyer. (Missing are Michelle Delaney are Kevin Canberg). © Carlos Vertanessian

Next year, the 37th annual symposium will be held in late September or early October (date TBD) at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, hosted by the Gus and Lyndall Wortham Curator of Photography, Malcolm Daniel.