A history and handbook of photography 1878

This is Gaston Tissandier’s 1876 book, "A History and Handbook of Photography", an object of paper, ink, and cloth. Its creation involved a complex interplay of skilled labor. Think of the paper makers, the ink manufacturers, the typesetters, and the bookbinders, all contributing to its existence through distinct processes. The materiality of the book itself offers insight into the social and cultural context of its time, when photographic reproduction was still a relatively novel process, and of specialized interest. The textures of the paper, the weight of the book in your hands, the particular binding, all speak to standards of the time. The craft of bookmaking, combined with the cutting-edge knowledge within, represents a bridge between established traditions and the burgeoning world of photography. Appreciating this book means understanding not only its contents, but also the many hands and processes that brought it into being.