GUIDE TO THE GABRIEL CROMER

                                      MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION

 

 

Introduction

 

            The papers in this collection document the inventions, writings, correspondence, and collecting activities of Gabriel Cromer, as well as the subsequent history of his collection.

            Michel-Alexandre-Edmond-Joseph-Gabriel Cromer was born in Rethel (Ardennes) in 1873.  He received Bachelor degrees in secondary education (1892) and law (1894).  However, he soon gave up these professions in favor of the chief interest of his life, photography.  He developed a passion for many aspects of photography.  Cromer’s specialty was carbon printing, which he practiced commercially.  His portraits and landscapes in the pictorialist style appeared in exhibitions in various countries and won competition medals.  Cromer’s inventions for pseudo-stereoscopy, sharper focus, and better lighting of photographic objects earned him numerous patents in France, England, and Germany.  His articles on his innovations were published in various journals, as were his writings on the history of photography, including his papers on Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre, the Daguerre-Nièpce controversy, and François Willème, the inventor of photosculpture.

Fascinated by the origins and development of photography, Cromer collected daguerreotypes, photographs, photo-equipment, and old documents that could shed light on its history.  Possessing a remarkable taste and knowledge, he amassed a collection of primary importance.

            In 1912 Gabriel Cromer became a member of the Société Française de la Photographie, and in 1927 was elected to its administrative council.  He was a very active member of the Société, delivering numerous addresses at its meetings on historical and technical subjects, which were subsequently published in the Société’s Bulletins.  Cromer also played a central role in organizing the exhibition dedicated to the centenary of photography in 1926, which was sponsored by the Société Française de la Photographie, and which included many of the finest items from Cromer’s own collection.       

It was Cromer’s dream that some day his collection would serve as the core of a French national museum dedicated to photography.  He wrote an article on this subject and explained his proposals at a meeting of the Société Française de la Photographie in January of 1925, which accepted them.  However, the French government was not interested in this idea at first, and later Cromer’s sudden death in 1934 and the impending war in Europe prevented his vision from being realized in his home country.  Later, Eastman Kodak Company (EKC) in Rochester, New York expressed interest in acquiring the collection for a photography museum of its own.  In 1939, following negotiations with Cromer’s widow, Kodak purchased most of the collection for $18,000 (500,000fr.).  By 1949 it was transferred to the newly formed photographic museum at George Eastman House (GEH).  One of Eastman House’s core collections, the Cromer collection was the foundation of GEH’s outstanding strength in nineteenth century European photography. 

 

 

Scope of the Collection and Arrangement of the Material

 

Ten boxes of papers constitute the bulk of the Menschel Library’s Cromer manuscript holdings.  Of these, six boxes (92, 93, 94, 94a, 94b, 94c) are described in detail in this guide.

Box 94a contains Cromer family documents, including birth and death certificates, college diplomas, and the award letter naming Cromer a Knight of the Legion of Honor, as well as original patents with complete specifications and Cromer’s handmade drawings of nine of his inventions.  Box 94b contains issues of the Bulletin de la Société Française de la Photographie with Cromer’s articles, and his typed manuscripts with his corrections.  Box 94c is dedicated to the correspondence of M. Cromer and his widow with such photographic notables as Louis Lumière, P. H. Emerson, René Hennequin, etc., as well as letters of various historic figures, including Antoine Samuel Adam-Salomon, Alphonse Giroux, Jules Janin, and others.  It also contains documents concerning the history of the collection after Cromer’s death, such as sales, gifts, and inheritances.

Boxes 92, 93, and 94 house correspondence concerning the sale of the collection to EKC (Box # 92), Cromer’s original photographs, file cards, notes, and correspondence (Box #93), and fragments of his manuscript on the important dates in the history of photography (Box # 94).

There is an index to all important names mentioned in these six boxes.

Other Cromer holdings are housed in boxes 12, 51, 95, and 96.  The Cromer material in box 12 is dedicated to Nicèphore Nièpce.  It includes various photographs, photocopies of Nièpce’s letters, and a facsimile of the Nièpce’s letter on which Cromer based his assumptions that Nièpce was the inventor of photography.   Box 51, which is dedicated to Daguerre and his partner Bouton, contains correspondence, notes, and ephemera collected by Cromer.  Boxes 95 and 96 contain additional ephemera from the Cromer collection related to J. L. M. Daguerre.  Still other material, such as autograph letters collected by Cromer, is scattered throughout the manuscript collection.  These holdings will be described in a future collection guide.

           

Provenance

 

Most of the Cromer papers in the Menschel Library came to Rochester with the Cromer collection as part of the EKC purchase of 1939.  They were placed on deposit by Kodak in the newly founded GEH museum in 1949, and in 1972 they were gifted to GEH. 

The contents of boxes 94a, 94b, and 94c are a recent purchase.  They were acquired by the Library’s director Rachel Stuhlman in 2001 for $4,160 from the dealer Serge Plantureux, who had bought them at an auction at the Drouot on June 16, 2000.  These documents, which had belonged to the Cromer family, were added to some 6,500 Cromer-related items already in the Museum’s collection.

            The papers in the six boxes were organized, and the index and this guide were created in 2002 by Zinaida Tsemel, a volunteer at the Menschel Library.  She worked under the supervision of Becky Simmons, Associate Librarian of the Menschel Library, and Rachel Stuhlman, Librarian of the Menschel Library.  The introduction to the guide was written by Zinaida Tsemel and edited by Rachel Stuhlman.


Box 94a: Cromer’s Family Documents and Inventions

 

 

I.  Family birth and death certificates

 

1.      A birth certificate of Michel Cromer (Cromer’s paternal grandfather), Sept. 29, 1814.

 

2.      Two copies of a birth certificate of Michel Alexandre Cromer (Cromer’s father), March 19, 1842.

 

3.      A death certificate of Michel Cromer (Cromer’s paternal grandfather), April 23, 1869.

 

4.      A death certificate of Remiette Alexandrine Barreaux (Cromer’s paternal grandmother), March 9, 1876.

 

5.      A genealogical list of the Cromer family with four handwritten notes enclosed.

 

 

II.  Other family papers

 

1.      A certificate for a medal for the Italian campaign belonging to Jules Michel Cromer, 1859.

 

2.      A BA degree in literature belonging to Michel Alexandre Cromer (Cromer’s father), 1860.

 

3.      A BA degree in law belonging to Michel Alexandre Cromer (Cromer’s father), 1862.

 

4.      A law license belonging to Michel Alexandre Cromer (Cromer’s father), August 21, 1863.

 

5.      Certificate from Ministère de la Justice et des Cultes designating Michel Alexandre Cromer (Cromer’s father) an attorney (avoué), 1869.

 

6.      A BA degree in secondary education belonging to Michel Alexandre Edmond Joseph Gabriel Cromer, Oct. 8, 1892.

 

7.      A BA degree in law belonging to Michel Alexandre Edmond Joseph Gabriel Cromer, Oct. 19, 1894.

 

8.      A letter informing Michel Alexandre Edmond Joseph Gabriel Cromer that he was named a Knight of the Legion of Honor (Feb. 3, 1929) with handwritten correspondence on the matter between the Minister of Culture and the Honorable Director of the Minister of War’s Civil Cabinet.

 

 

III.  Papers pertaining to Cromer’s inventions

 

1.      “Ditir” (a term coined by Cromer from the words “diaphragme” and “tirage” which describes “an auxiliary device which indicates the diaphragm and the camera extension to be used in order to obtain the sharpest focus”).

a.       A drawing of the device and two copies of the patent drawing.

b.      A one-page printed description of the device.

c.       Two typescripts by Cromer (one in 3 versions) explaining the advantage of this device in comparison with others currently in use, with Cromer’s corrections (1912).

d.      Typed letter from the Office Nationale de la Propriété Industrielle dated Feb. 28, 1912.

See also an article on the device printed in the Bulletin de la Société Française de Photographie in April, 1912 contained in Box 94b, IV:1.

 

2.  “Ecran-parasol” [“Umbrella-screen”].

a.       A patent and two other related documents, all dated Dec. 24, 1901.

b.      Cromer’s annotated drawings and two photographs of the device.

c.       Letters from the Patent Office (6 letters, 1901-1906), one regarding the description of the device, the others concerning Cromer’s annuities.

d.      Two copies of each of the three contracts with the maker of photographic equipment Emile Gilles (1905) and Gilles’ letter (Dec. 11, 1906) in which he renounces the partnership.

 

3.      “Chassis pour le tirage de positifs pseudo-stereoscopiques sur verre” [“Frame for the printing of pseudo-stereoscopic pictures on glass”].

a.       Patent (Feb. 27, 1919) and two accompanying documents (Sept. 17, 1919) from the patent office.

b.      Cromer’s drawing of the device.

c.       Two copies of a contract with Albert Mattey which gave him exclusive manufacturing and selling rights, dated May 22, 1920.

d.      Earlier version of the patent description (incomplete typescript, pp. 2-6).

 

4.      “Ecran grillagé” [“Screen with grid”].

a.       The French patent with description, design, and a printed drawing of the device (May 4, 1901).

b.      Another printed drawing of the device (Nov. 19, 1901).

c.       An agreement by which Cromer cedes the rights to exhibit or sell the device in Paris on the right side of the Seine to Mr. Martin (March, 1905).  

d.      The English patent with provisional and complete specifications (Nov. 18, 1901).

e.       The German patent with specifications (Nov. 24, 1901).

f.        Two printed photos of the device.

g.       Cromer’s drawings of the device (Nov. 1902).

h.       A letter from A. Paullussen to Cromer admiring the device (1901).

i.         A letter from the patent office regarding a US patent (Oct. 18, 1902).

 

5.      “Curseurs donnant directement le tirage et le diaphragme exacts pour la mise au point” [“Cursors which indicate the exact focus and the diaphragm adjustment”].

a.       A receipt for documentation on patent specifications.

b.      Three French patents with Cromer’s specifications (1911-1912).

c.   Refusal of the German patent (April 12, 1913).

e.       Cromer’s drawing and a print from drawing of the device (July 30, 1912).

 

6.      “Commande automatique de diaphragmes” [“Automatic diaphragm drive”].

a.       A French patent promulgated on July 6, 1912 with an engraving after Cromer’s original drawing of the device.     

b.      An addition to the above patent submitted on Jan. 27, 1912 with an engraving after Cromer’s original drawing of the device.

 

7.      “Montures pour l’application de photographies sur la maroquinerie” [“Mounts for the printing of photographs on Moroccan leather”].

a.       Cromer’s drawings of the device.

b.      A statement of the French origin of the invention.

c.       A letter from Cromer to the optician M. Duplorinle(?) about the making of two models of the device (Jan. 1, 1912).

d.      Letters from the Office Nationale de la Propriété Industrielle pertaining to the exhibition of two models of the mounts at the Conservatoire Nationale des Arts et Métiers on Sept. 28, 1915.

e.       Cromer’s receipts for the 4fr. he paid for two additional negatives of the models and the 60fr. he paid as tax for the exhibition (Oct. 1, 1915).

f.        A handwritten note describing the models.

 

8.      “Dispositif applicable aux phares d’automobiles en vue d’éviter la projection latérale des rayons lumineux” [“A device applied to the lights of cars to avoid the horizontal projection of luminous rays”]

a.       Patent with specifications (no date).

b.      Five drawings and notes related to the invention.

 

9.      “Appareil pour l’éclairage des sujets à photographier” [“A device for lighting the objects to be photographed”]

A patent (April 19, 1923).

 

10.  Four engraved drawings of a device for adjusting the aperture or the focus of a stereoscopic camera, two of them intended for application for a German patent.

 

11.  Cromer’s receipt for the taxes he paid on the income derived from his inventions (Jan. 22, 1913).


 Box 94b: Cromer’s Publications and Manuscripts

 

 

IV.              Issues of Bulletin de la Société Française de Photographie containing articles by Cromer (1912-1933)

 

1.      April, 1912.  “Les ‘Ditirs’ – appareils indiquant le diaphragme et le tirage à employer  pour obtenir dans chaque cas une mise au point exacte du sujet à photographier”  [“The ‘Ditirs’ – a device that indicates the diaphragm adjustment of the aperture and the camera extension to be used in order to obtain the sharpest focus”]  (pp. 136-148).  Two offprints of Cromer’s article, one with a handwritten address on it, another with a handwritten dedication.  See also patents and descriptions of the device in Box 94a, III:1.

 

2.      May, 1913.  “Réglage automatique du tirage des appareils photographiques à main de façon que ce tirage corresponde toujours à distance hyperfocale résultant du diaphragme employé”  [“Automatic regulation of the camera’s extension, so that it always corresponds with the hyper-focal distance of the chosen aperture”] (pp. 167-171).  An offprint of Cromer’s article with a handwritten dedication.

 

3.      June, 1913.  An offprint of Cromer’s article “L’Effet de Neige en Stéréoscopie: son origine et moyen d’y remédier” [“The effect of snow in stereoscopy: its origin and means of its reduction”] with a handwritten dedication.

 

4.      July, 1914.   An offprint of Cromer’s article “L’unification de temps de pose dans l’aggrandissement” [“Unification of the exposure time in enlargement”].

 

5.      March, 1919.

a.       A list of members newly admitted into the Société including M. Paul Payen, introduced by Cromer and Cousin (pp. 114).

b.      “Tirage pseudo-stéréoscopique des clichés non stéréoscopiques de petit format”  [“Pseudo-stereoscopic printing from non-stereoscopic negatives of small size”]  (pp.152-158) with a hand-written note on p.158 by Cromer’s nephew that he was helping his uncle and M. Lumière with the organization of the centenary of photography.  Two copies of a separately published extract of the issue, one with Cromer’s handwritten dedication.  See also Cromer’s typed manuscript of this article in VI:2.  

 

6.      Sept., 1923.  “Deux détails historiques sur la photographie.  La découverte du daguerréotype annoncé par un journal dès 1835.  Les tableaux mécaniques en projections de Bourbouze vers 1871.”  [“Two details of the history of photography – Discovery of the Daguerrotype announced by a journal in 1835 – Bourbouze’s projection of mechanical engines in motion in 1871”]  (pp. 259-261).  Communicated to the general session on June 22, 1923.

 

7.      March, 1924.  “L’Histoire de la Photographie et de ses précurseurs enseignée par l’image et l’objet d’époque.  Première exposition: Daguerre artiste, et son Diorama.”  [“The History of photography and its originators demonstrated   by the images and objects of the epoch.  The first exhibition: Daguerre, the   artist and his diorama.”]  (pp. 52-65). See also a typed manuscript of this  article with Cromer’s handwritten corrections in VI:4.

 

8.      Jan., 1925.

a.       “Il faut créer un musée de la photographie.  Où doit-il être?  Que doit-il être?  Quelles pourraient être ses premières richesses?”  [“It’s necessary to create a museum of photography.  Where should it be?  What should it be?  What should be its first treasures?”]  (pp. 14-19).

b.      A short notice that following Cromer’s presentation it was decided to found the museum and to choose a committee to study how to realize the proposal (p.3).  See also a typed manuscript of this article with Cromer’s handwritten corrections in VI:5.

 

           

V.                 Other publications related to Cromer and/or his collection and inventions

 

1.      An article by Dr. Raoul Blondel cut from Echos de Paris (date 1919 written in pen) on an outbreak of tuberculosis, which mentions “radiographic stereoscopic vision” as useful in combating the disease.

 

2.      Pages from La Revue Française de Photographie et Cinématographie containing Cromer’s article “François Willème, Inventor of Photosculpture” (Oct. 1, 1924, pp. 261-264) and its continuation (Oct. 15, 1924, pp. 267-270).

 

3.      An article by Raymond Cogniat cut from an unknown newspaper (date 1931 written in pencil) about the idea of the museum of photography, which mentions that such a museum already exists in Bièvres founded by Jean Fage; it consists of two halls and doesn’t have enough space.

 

4.      A notice about a meeting of the Société Française de Photographie in October, 1957.

 

5.      A notice about a meeting of the Vieux Papier, a historical, archeological and artistic society, on Dec. 27, 1927.

 

6.      Two reproductions of Cromer’s prints: “Daguerreotypomania” and “The Daguerreotrappe,” the later reproduced in La Mode of Oct. 26, 1889.

 

7.      An extract of a publication of the Société Française de Photographie on the centenary of color photography.

 

 

VI.              Cromer’s typed articles with handwritten corrections

 

1.      “Proposal to the government on the collection of the history of photography, its precursors and applications”

 

2.      “The pseudo-stereoscopia” [name given to a camera] Dec., 1918.  See also the published version of this article in IV:5.

 

3.      “The three sources of illumination.  Essay on the method of lighting the object to be photographed.  Presentation of some devices to put it into practice.”  Nov. 1924.

 

4.      “The History of photography and its precursors demonstrated by the images and objects of the epoch.  The first exhibition: Daguerre, the artist and his diorama.” Jan. 25, 1924.  There is also a handwritten version of this article on 18 sheets and another typed manuscript with proofs (pp. 2-20). See also the published version of this article in IV:7.

 

5.      “It’s necessary to create a museum of photography.  Where should it be?  What should it be?  What should be its first treasures?”  Dec., 1924. See also the published version of this article in IV:8.

 

6.      Cromer’s typed manuscript on focusing with his corrections.  He intended to include this in the brochure on a “stereospido métallique” [metallic stereospido] (a camera) (1914).

 

7.      A typed extract of an unidentified article (pp. 2-20) largely concerned with Daguerre.

 

 

Box 94c: Correspondence and the History of the Collection

 

 

VII.  Letters to Cromer

 

1.      Letters from J. Demaria (the General Commissioner) about the Fourth Exposition of Photography.

a.       Dec. 3, 1925, asking him to assist at the reunion of the committee and thanking him for help with organizing the exhibition.

b.      Jan. 27, 1926, about a meeting that he wishes Cromer to attend.

 

2.      Letter from M. Dignimont (Oct. 15, 1934) thanking Cromer for an album he had brought the writer and asking to see Cromer.

 

3.      Letters from l’École Proféssionale de Photographie et Cinématographie.

a.       July 2, 1924, written at Louis Lumière’s request to thank Cromer for giving cast of Willem’s [sic] statuette as a gift to l’École [Willème].

b.      Oct. 5, 1927, informed of Cromer’s decision, Louis Lumière has told the writer to insist on Cromer’s collaboration since he is the only one qualified to teach the art of portraiture to future French photographers.  Wouldn’t Cromer agree to fill up the post at least till they’ve found a professor?

c.       Apr. 10, 1934, an invitation and agenda for a meeting at l’École.

 

4.      Letter from Paul Flobert, President of the society Le Vieux Papier  (June 7, 1927) who’d like to know more about the physionotrace and “the forty works of Daguerre.”

 

5.      Letters from Paul Fort.

a.       1903, a calling card with his best wishes.

b.      1909, a letter thanking him for making three portraits of “our little Jeanne.”

 

6.      Letter with an undecipherable signature from the bookshop of J. de Francia (Feb. 2, 1926) asking Cromer to write an article for Photo-Revue on the photo exhibition they are mounting.

 

7.      Letter from M. Gaumont (?) (March 9, 1930) thanking Comer for the paper he has sent him and telling Cromer that a while ago someone invited him [the writer] to a gala in honor of M. Méliès; he agreed, but when he learned the names of the other guests – “the same who are against Lumière” – he declined, although he did sent 1000 fr.; he’ll talk to his successor about finding a position for Méliès, although it won’t be easy considering “his age and his friends (at the gala).”    

 

8.      Letter from Gilles-Faller, camera-makers, (Jan. 30, 1926) asking him to help in the reconstruction of a Daguerreotype apparatus for an exhibition of photography.

 

9.      Letter from M. Gosselin (Feb. 22, 1929) who wishes to show him a portrait made with the aid of a “tibscope” [sic] and his own moonlight effect.

 

10.  Letter from René Hennequin (Feb. 26, 1928) about a presentation at a meeting of Le Vieux Papier, compliments Cromer and writes about a catalog.

 

11.  Letter from M. Hugou-Roydon (?) (great-nephew of Daguerre) on the letterhead of the Ministry of Education and Fine Arts in response to Cromer’s invitation to an exhibition on Jan. 25, 1924, that he can’t attend due to a previous engagement. 

 

12.  Letter on a stationary of Daniel Jacomet & Co. (May 3, year unknown) about an appointment to make a photocopy of some document.

 

13.  Letter from the French President Albert Lebrun (May 30, 1932) thanking him for his congratulations.

 

14.  Letter from M. Larief on the letterhead of the Société Lumière (June 24, 1929) on his father-in-law’s condition.

 

15.  Letters from Louis Lumière.

a.       Jan. 28, 1927, to thank him for a lithograph by (?) Daguerre and “two very rare works that I found in the packet which you brought me yesterday.”

b.      Nov. 22, 1927, concerning a visit.

c.       June 2, 1928, setting a visit date.

d.      Apr. 22, 1929, that he’d be happy to visit Cromer on May 2, but would it be all right if he came a little late because of a family gathering on the occasion of his granddaughter’s first communion?

e.       Jan. 7, 1930, thanking him for his good wishes and wishing him the same (calling card).

f.        Nov. 14, 1930, praising Cromer’s article on panoramic photography in the Bulletin de la Société Française de Photographie.

g.       Jan. 4, 1931, thanking him for his good wishes on the New Year and wishing him the same; congratulates him on the discovery of some precious objects for his collection and hopes to admire them when he returns to Paris in February.

h.       (no date), a thank you and best wishes on Lumière’s calling card.

See also VII: 3a-b.

 

16.  Letter from M. Manellegay (?) (Feb. 4, 1903) asking him how he has liked the proofs and negatives the writer has sent him. 

 

17.  Letter from the Ministère de l’Instruction Publique et des Beaux Arts (Apr. 2, 1926) informing him that he has been appointed technical advisor to the photographic section of the Conservatoire Nationale des Arts et Métiers.

 

18.  Letters from Charles Peignot, the director of “Arts et Métiers Graphiques Paris.”

a.       June 9, 1933, asking to see Cromer’s collection. 

b.      June 22, 1933, making an appointment with him.

See also Peignot’s letters to Cromer’s widow after his death in XII: 6a-b.

 

19.  Letter from M. Pigeon (March 10, 1929) congratulating him on being awarded the Cross of the Legion of Honor and telling him that he has looked for the portraits created by the method described by Cromer in his article on the physionotrace, but has found only one, in bad condition.  He advisers Cromer to get in touch with M. Mercier, the curator at the Museum of Dijon, which has some prints that may interest Cromer.

 

20.  Letter from L. Ruhare (1895) containing a poem about Christmas.

 

21.  Letter from the Société Française de Photographie (Aug. 11, 1924) accompanying the drafts of Cromer’s article which they’d like to have as soon as possible, in an extended version.

 

22.  Note from Georges Wague (Jan. 4, 1903).

 

23.  An empty envelope from Max George (date unknown), and another from an unknown person addressed to Cromer as “an adjunct curator at the Conservatoire Nationale des Arts et Métiers.”

 

 

VIII.  Letters to Mme Cromer

 

1.      Calling card from Count de la Baume Pluvinel expressing condolences at her husband’s death.

 

2.      Letter from M. Becker (March 2, 1945) offering to help her to sell her “instruments.”

 

3.      Letter from Jefferson Caffery (American ambassador in France) (Nov. 6, 1944) thanking her for “a precious souvenir.”  A note handwritten on the letter declares it to be a physionotrace of Lafayette.

 

4.      Card from George Chatellier expressing condolences at her husband’s death. 

 

5.      Card from Paul Collinet (Nov. 21, 1934) expressing condolences at her husband’s death and regretting that his being in Rome has prevented him from attending the funeral.

 

6.      Letter from the Conservatoire Nationale des Arts et Métiers (Sept. 17, 1934) expressing condolences at her husband’s death.

 

7.      Letter from the photographers Démichel and Ploquin (Dec. 8, 1934) that the negatives of the Crimean war are no longer in their possession, but may be held by the publisher Paul Montel.   

 

8.      Letters from M. Dignimont.

a.       Nov. 26, 1935, expressing condolences at her husband’s death.

b.      June 22, 1951, thanking her for “a transitional picture” from the beginning of the 19th century; it will be a precious memory of Cromer whom he liked a lot.  He is talking to many acquaintances about the sale of her house; if he finds a prospective buyer, he’ll let her know.

 

9.      Calling card from Paul Helbronner expressing condolences at her husband’s death (no date).

 

10.  Letter from René Hennequin (Nov. 22, 1934) expressing condolences at her husband’s death.

 

11.  A handwritten card from the French President Albert Lebrun expressing condolences at her husband’s death.

 

12.  Letters from Louis Lumière.

a.       Dec. 24, 1941, thanking her for her good wishes and wishing her the same.

b.      1946, calling card thanking her for her good wishes for the New Year and wishing her the same.

c.       No date, thanking her for her good wishes and wishing her the same.

 

13.  Letter from T. Nadar (Nov. 22, 1934) expressing condolences at her husband’s death and asking what will happen to the collection.

 

14.  Letter from an unknown person (signature undecipherable) (Jan 17, 1948) that M. Radius, a nephew of Boucheron and a new member of the Vieux Papier, who was certainly acquainted with her late husband, is a very nice person and won’t be any trouble.  The writer will visit her when he returns to Paris.

 

15.  Letter from Claude de Santeul (Dec. 15, 1934) expressing condolences at her husband’s death.

 

16.  Letters from Robert Verdon.

a.       Jan. 20, 1964, that Dr. Steinert will organize an international photographic exhibition in Essen in March, and it’s possible that part of the Cromer collection will be exhibited there.  They often remember her and M. Cromer in their family.  He recently projected early stereoscopic autochromes made by Cromer.  He has written to M. Maurice Rheims that she has a catalog of the Cromer collection; it may interest him.

b.      Sept. 23, 1970, to an unknown woman who had written to him about the death of Mme Cromer.  

 

17.  Card from Georges Wague (Feb. 2, 1948) which accompanied some flowers.

 

18.  An empty envelope addressed to Mme Cromer from the French President Albert Lebrun (1939). 

 

 

IX. Correspondence with Paul Montel, President of  “Publications Photo-graphiques” (1924-1934)

 

1.      Feb. 29, 1924, in response to Cromer’s request to find information on Willème’s patents.

 

2.      Sept. 23, 1924, that they’d like to talk about Cromer’s second installment of “The History of Photography.”

 

3.      Apr. 16, 1925, that Cromer’s article on founding a museum of photography will appear in the next issue of Photographe.

 

4.      Feb. 20, 1934.  Would Cromer provide a continuation of his retrospective for the Exposition de la Photo et Cinéma?  They also send him a copy of the issue of Photo-Illustration and suggest dedicating a future issue to his numerous prints.

 

5.      July 11, 1934, Cromer’s letter with his terms regarding the publication of his prints.

 

6.      July 12, 1934, in response to the above letter.  They agree with Cromer’s terms, thank him for allowing them to print some of his documents in Photo-Illustration, and inform him that a special issue dedicated to his collection will be published.  During the 1937 Exposition of Photography and Cinema a special pavilion will be constructed which will house the Conservatoire’s and Cromer’s collections.  M. L’Abbe, who has been nominated the director of the Exposition, is very interested in the State acquiring Cromer’s collection.

 

7.      Aug. 13, 1934, that [Claude de ?] Santeul has told them Cromer wishes to receive some back issues of Photo-Illustration which they’ll be glad to send him.  Will he come in to discuss the future museum of photography?

 

8.      Oct. 16, 1934, that they have received the negatives at Démichel’s, except for the five which had appeared in La Revue Française de Photographie.  Will he send them?    

 

9.      Nov. 27, and Dec. 4, 1934, expressing condolences to Mme Cromer at her husband’s death and asking her to submit a picture of him to be printed in the magazine.  He also sends her copies of an issue of Photo-Illustration.

 

 

X. Letters from Mary Martin

 

1.      Jan. 25, 1928 (to Cromer) that she has a signed Faldernich (?) and a St. Mémin in her collection which she will be gald to send to him, although she regrets that the sitter for the portrait is anonymous.  She has looked for a portrait by St. Mémin and found one belonging to Robert Fridenberg, but in poor condition.  If he’d rather have hers, she’d be glad to send it.

 

2.      May 23, 1930 (to Mme Cromer) that she can’t visit them now, but would they receive her in October when she’ll be in Paris?

 

3.      Oct. 30, 1930 (to Mme Cromer) thanking her for the visit and telling her about the writer’s notes on the St. Mémin family.

4.      Oct. 16, 1931 (to Mme Cromer) inviting her and M. Cromer to visit her.

 

5.      Oct. 24, 1931 (to Mme Cromer) thanking her and M. Cromer for translating some information about Chinese shadows and telling them how happy she is to have Cromer’s photos of Jacobine.

 

6.      May 13, 1934 (to Mme Cromer) thanking her for translating a letter of Mme St. Mémin for her.

 

7.      Six negatives of some text with a note that it’s a manuscript of Saint Mémin reproduced by Cromer.

 

See also Mary Martin’s letter to Cromer in Box 93, VII: 6.

 

 

XI. Other Letters (in alphabetical order by writer)

 

1.      Antoine Samuel Adam-Salomon to Dr. Amussat (Aug. 27, 18??) that he’s given away all his money to the poor and, therefore, asks for a loan of 200fr. which he’ll return when he comes back to Paris.  He’s finished with the portraits of Rossini and will offer a copy to Amussat in Paris, as well as the proofs of the family portraits which Amussat is to take to St Naixent.

 

2.      Henri Boutez to Alphonse Davanne (no date), with a reproduction of his lithograph on the card, that he is glad the addressee has found the packet; he’ll see him on the 14th.

 

3.      Lafon de Camarsa (?) to M. L’Abbé Moigno (?) (Aug. 22, 1864) that he’s sorry his absence has prevented them from exchanging a few words and hopes they’ll meet at another time.

 

4.      A letter with an undecipherable signature on the stationary of the Chambre de Députés to an unknown person (July 4, 1886) that the writer has taken the step in favor of Dr. David as the addresser requested and hopes it will have the expected result.

 

5.      E. Cherung (?) to M. Dumonh (?) (Jan. 29, 1943): a recommendation for M. Bonnet who was a laureat of the École de Beaux Arts in Lyon in hopes that the addressee will become his maître.

 

6.      Francis Chevassu to an unknown person (June 11, 1890) who had recommended M. Peynot to the Directory of Beaux Arts, that Peynot has sculpted a statue of La Republique commissioned by the city of Lyon, and asking the addressee to persuade the Directory to go to Lyon to see the statue.  

 

7.      Eugene Cicéri’s letters.

a.       To M. Thomas (Dec. 2, 1856) that he’ll try to finish two or more pictures soon and would like the addressee to come to Charlotte to make his choice.  His job leaves him little time for painting.  The writer wishes he had enough talent for it to allow him to make a living exclusively from painting and quit his lithographic job, which tires him considerably.  He is thankful to the addressee for his patience. 

b.      To Alphonse Giroux (1861) that he has just come back from a trip and regrets not to having done yet what the addressee had asked him.

 

8.      E. Devéria to an unknown person (Sept. 14, 1833) about the arrangements to pay the writer 300fr. 

 

9.      A handwritten poem “Oasis” copyrighted (certified) on Nov. 12, 1861 by Prenne Dupons.

 

10.  Paul Fort’s card with best wishes (inscribed “director of ‘Poems in prose’”) to an unknown person (no date).

 

11.  Jules Janin to an unknown person (pencil date 1860).  Contents are undecipherable, but seem not to be connected with photography.

 

12.  A card from Count G. de Laloubie to the Bernadotte Museum (1956) concernig a curator at the Museum and a physionotrace.

 

13.  Aimé Laussedat’s letters.

a.       to an unknown person (June 9, 1875) that he gave two apparatuses and the receipt to Major Maugin, who in turn gave them and the bill to Colonel Loyre, the chief engineer of the northern forts for which they were built.  The writer advisers the addressee about the arrangements to get paid quickly.  He also mentions that Major Périer told him he had commissioned the addressee to make some equipment for him, but, since it was taking him too long, he went to someone else.  The writer regrets that, not being in Paris at the time, he couldn’t “stop this optician who is always coming up with some advantages” and hopes to be of more help in the future.

b.      To M. Grepley (?) (Dec. 21, 1877) asking him to put off his appointment with M. Gambetta till the writer can go with him.

c.       To M. Ducrêtot (?) (Dec. 11, 1883) asking him to return some magnetic equipment which he had used at the exhibition in Amsterdam.    

 

14.  Louis Lumière’s writings:

a.       A thank you card to an unknown person (date unknown).

b.      A note to Mlle Gilberte Chauvet (June 13, 1925) thanking her for making a copy of some documents.

 

15.  Prefect of Ardennes to the Minister of Aviation regarding the latter’s support of Cromer’s attempts to collect rent in the town of Sedan in the name of Gollnisch (his mother’s maiden name).  This letter was apparently forwarded to Cromer by the Minister.

 

16.  Xavier Privas to an unknown person (Jan. 27, 1953) sending his best wishes.

 

17.  Count Quenedey to an unknown person (Jan. 28, 1929) that he has read the addressee’s article on the physionotrace in the Bulletin du Vieux Papier et Journaux and would like to have a copy of it.

 

18.  A. Richaud to an unknown person (Feb. 24, 1930) that she’ll bring the addressee “a little Louis XVII” for the addressee’s friend.

 

19.  M. Samson to M. Adam-Salomon (Nov. 9, 1858) thanking him for “two compositions” (the figure of Pauline Méniev is admirable) and inviting him to his place.

 

20.  Claude de Santeul to an unknown person (Sept. 13, 1884) thanking the addressee for “the list of 24 works” and asking him to change the codes on the list if he finds anything out of order.

 

21.  Albert Trarieux (administrative director of the Lumière Society) to an unknown person (date unknown) with friendly greetings (a calling card).

 

22.  Sustaine Velendarble (?) to an unknown person (1889) that he has requested the Minister of Industry and Commerce to award Dr. David “the decoration,” but there are so many applicants that he isn’t hopeful, although he’s done all he could.

 

23.  Writings of Georges Wague:

a.       A note to an unknown person with the reproductions of two drawings and two photos (date unknown).

b.      A card to an unknown person with a reproduction of a drawing (Jan. 1, 1950).

 

24.  An anonymous handwritten poem about Charlemagne.

 

25.  A note of that states “The issues of the 10th and 20th of May, 1906 of the ‘Intermédiaire des chercheurs at des curieux’ contain a list of portraits made with the physionotrace.”  The magazines themselves aren’t included.     

 

26.  Calling cards of Maral Pegacy, Mme Albert Lebrun, and M. and Mme Albert Lebrun.  No inscriptions.

 

 

XII.           Information concerning the history of the collection: sales, gifts, and inheritances

 

1.      Documents concerning Cromer’s death

a.       Declaration of Mme Cromer as her husband’s heir and a partial list of stocks and bonds she inherited from him.

b.      Memorial card with Cromer’s photo and titles, and short prayers.

c.       La Revue Française de Photographie et Cinématographie (Dec. 15, 1934) contains Cromer’s obituary (p. 383) and a short note about a proposed museum of photography in Chicago (p. 372).

d.      Mme Cromer’s receipt for the monument (Oct. 4, 1936).

 

2.      Five catalogues of items which belonged to Mme Cromer (one incomplete, one with a second incomplete copy).

 

3.      Lists of items in Cromer’s collection with notes by Mme Cromer of what she has sold

      and what she still had.

 

4.      Mme Cromer’s correspondence with the auctionneer Etienne Ader (1957-1958).

 

                      5.   Letters from the Société Française de Photographie (21 letters and 2 cards; 1935-1959) to Mme Cromer mostly to thank her for her gifts, one declaring her a perpetual member of the Société, and two about the medal they’ve instituted in honor of her late husband.  A list of objects offered by Mme Cromer to the Société (1935).  (See also the Société’s Bulletins with Cromer’s articles in IV).

 

6.   Mme Cromer’s correspondence with Kodak’s representatives and other letters

      regarding their transactions.

 

a.       A letter from Charles Peignot (the director of “Arts et Métiers Graphiques Paris”) (Dec. 29, 1934) to Mme Cromer, written when he learnt of her husband’s death.  He remembered that Cromer regretted that there was no museum of photography to which he could leave his collection.  The writer doesn’t know about Mme Cromer’s plans or M. Cromer’s will, but there’s a study about the realization of the museum project.  Could he see her? (See also Peignot’s letters to Cromer while he was alive in Box 94c, VII: 18a-b).

 

b.      A letter from Charles Peignot (the director of “Arts et Métiers Graphiques Paris”) (Jan. 9, 1935) to Mme Cromer in response to hers of Jan. 8.  He understands that she is busy, but he himself is pressed by the director of the Beaux Arts who wants to know the fate of the collection.  Therefore, he’ll come next Saturday to visit her with Mme Albin Guillot.  There’s a note of Mme Cromer’s on the letter that she received three people who came an hour late and told them, this being “ a cemetery day,” she didn’t wish to miss her visit.  They talked of the advantages they’d bring to the collection; at the same time she understood that the state couldn’t help her because of “the serious impending events,” even after she’d informed them that a foreign country had made an offer.  

 

c.       July 20, 1939, from Mme Cromer to Kodak saying that she accepts the offer of 500,000fr. for the collection.  She will give them six silhouettes and six physionotraces, to which she also wants to add some carbon photographs made by Cromer.  She insists that the collection bear Cromer’s name (not for his sake, but for the Société’s) and hopes they will invite her to the opening of the museum.

 

d.      No date.  A pencil-written letter by Kodak to Mme Cromer (no greetings, no good-bye) in response to hers of July 20 thanking her for agreeing to sell for 500,000fr. and promising to remove the collection as soon as possible, as she wanted to move before September. 

 

e.       No date.  A note or extract of a letter written by Mme Cromer to unknown person saying that various people had told her it’s her duty to give her collection to her country, but that with the impending war it wasn’t the time to think of a museum.  At this time Kodak offered her 500,000fr.  The actual declaration of war and her wishing to move were decisive in her accepting their offer.  

 

f.    Two letters from Kodak: asking Mme Cromer to send them a list of items she had prepared with Mr. Clerc, with her handwritten response on the letter that she no longer had this list (March 9, 1950), and their letter of regrets (March 20, 1950).

 

g.       A newspaper clipping about Georges Sirot who gave his collection to the Cabinet des Estampes of the Bibliothèque Nationale (no date; no publication information).  In the interview M. Sirot declares that he has lost interest in collecting, because he now rarely sees anything of importance, and when he does, it’s beyond his means.  Therefore, he thinks it better to give his collection to the Bibliothèque Nationale rather than “see it leave the country as did the famous Cromer collection bought by Mr. Eastman in 1930.”  There is a note written on the clipping by Mme Cromer that the collection was sold by her in 1940 and that she has written to the Bibliothèque Nationale to complain of the mistake.   

 

7.  Materials concerning Mme Cromer’s gifts to the Bibliothèque Nationale.

a.       Letters to Mme Cromer from the Bibliothèque Nationale (47 letters, 1941-1969) thanking her for her various gifts to it, and a small brochure on Daguerre published by the Library.

b.      Mme Cromer’s receipt from the Bibliothèque Nationale for a packet containing some photographs, documents and a book given to the Cabinet des Estampes (July 4, 1947). 

 

8.      A certificate of Mme Bonzon-Blot’s inheritance from Mme Cromer (Aug. 6, 1970) and two letters to her from the notary Dominique Morel d’Arleux (June 24, 1970 and July 22, 1970) with lists of items asking her to indicate which items she’d like to keep and which to sell.


Box 92: Correspondence Concerning the Sale of the Cromer Collection to Kodak and Its Subsequent History

 

 

I.             Correspondence Concerning the Sale of the Cromer Collection to Kodak

 

1.      July 21, 1938, from Brigeau, Kodak Pathé, Paris (hereafter KPathé) to J. Pledge, Kodak Ltd, London (hereafter KLtd). 

They have learned from L.P. Clerc that Mme Cromer wishes to sell her collection for 700,000fr. and has rejected the French government offer of 300,000fr.  M. Clerc has made a catalogue of the collection.  Would the addressee be interested in getting a copy?

 

2.      July 26, 1938, from J. Pledge, KLtd. to KPathé.

He suggests that the price of the Cromer collection is too high for EKC, but expresses interest in possibly purchasing duplicates from the final purchaser.

 

3.      July 26, 1938, from J. Pledge, KLtd. to L.P. Clerc.

He requests a catalog of the collection and expresses interest in possibly purchasing duplicates from the final purchaser.

 

4.      Jan. 26, 1939, from Edward Epstean to Walter Clark, Resident Laboratories, Eastman Kodak Company (hereafter EKC), Rochester, NY.

On business unrelated to the Cromer collection.

 

5.      Jan. 31, 1939 from J. Pledge, KLtd. to Walter Clark.

He writes that M. Clerc suggests getting in touch with Mr. Epstean in New York who has a copy of the catalog of Cromer’s collection.

 

6.      Feb. 15, 1939, from W.G. Bent, KLtd. to C.E.K. Mees.

He writes that this is one of the last opportunities for obtaining a historical collection on a par with the importance of EKC, as he thinks it should have the best photography museum in the world.  He suggests group of individuals might purchase the Cromer Collection and present it to EKC. Pencilled note shows 700,000fr. = $18,480.  He mentions that Mr. Epstean, the representative of executors in America, has a catalog of the collection.  A copy of this letter was sent to Mr. Lovejoy.

 

7.      Feb. 15, 1939, from Walter Clark to J. Pledge, KLtd.

He considers Mme Cromer’s price to be too high.  He knows nothing about the collection, but, personally, he thinks that all historic photo apparatus in the world aren’t worth that much.  Besides, they don’t have a proper facility for the display of such a collection and would have to loan it to other museums anyway.

 

 

8.      Feb. 15, 1939 from Walter Clark to Edward Epstean.

Answer to letter # 4.  He is not interested in buying the collection, since he understands it’s to be sold complete, but, perhaps, they’ll be willing to sell duplicate items separately?  He has tried to borrow a catalog of the collection from M. Clerc, but none was available.  Could he borrow Epstean’s?  

 

9.      Feb. 19, 1939, from Edward Epstean to Walter Clark.

a.       Answer to letter # 8.  “I have sent you the Cromer lists.”

b.      A typewritten list (carbon copy on onionskin paper, 14 pages) of lenses and shutters.

c.       A typewritten list (carbon copy on onionskin paper, 10 pages) of photographic 

                equipment.

 

10.  March 3, 1939, from Walter Clark to Edward Epstean.

Answer to letter # 9.  He thanks Epstean for the list, mentions KLtd. interest, and says he will discuss it with EKC people.  He would like to keep the catalog for a short time.

 

11.  March 3, 1939 from Walter Clark to W.G. Bent, KLtd.

Answer to letter # 6.  Mr. Mees is away, so he’s responding to the letter.  They’ve never spent that much money on history; besides, there’s no space for a proper display.  He, personally, is interested in the company sponsoring a good historic exhibit, but Mees was not enthusiastic.  He will discuss the Cromer collection with Mr. Lovejoy and Mr. Solbert.

 

12.  March 31, 1939, from Walter Clark to A.F. Sulzer.

Description of the previous correspondence with KLtd & others regarding the Cromer collection (not located here). He asks if EKC is interested in the Cromer collection.  He repeats Mr. Bent’s proposal (letter # 6) and maintains that EKC should have a historic photo collection unsurpassed in the world. 

 

13.  April 24, 1939, from Walter Clark to C.E.K. Mees.

He states that the collection is unique.  There is nothing like it in England or the U.S.; only the Société Française de Photographie’s and the Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers’s are comparable.  Since the French government made a bid, there must be something in it not contained in these two.  Since the collection is essentially historic, duplication is rare.  Summary of the collection is enclosed.  He thinks that 500,000fr. ($13,000) – halfway between what Mme Cromer asked for and what the French government was prepared to pay – would not be an unreasonable price for the collection, if a lower amount couldn’t be negotiated.  He’d like to see it with M. Clerc.

 

14.  Apr. 25, 1939, from C.E.K. Mees to A.F. Sulzer.

From the meeting with the addressee Mees understands that Sulzer is in favor of buying the collection.  The writer considers it a good opportunity to establish a thorough historic collection, and quite worth the cost.  He suggests to discuss it with Mr. Lovejoy, and if he approves, to authorize Dr. Clark to pay up to 500,000fr. for the Cromer collection.

 

15.  June 28, 1939, from Mme Cromer to Walter Clark.

She offers the collection for 150,000fr. over the previous offer, which appears to have been 400,000fr.

 

16.  July 1, 1939, from L.P.Clerc to Walter Clark.

Mme Cromer has called to say that she has sent her letter to the Kodak office in London and hopes they have received it by now (apparently letter # 15).

 

17.  July 4, 1939, from Walter Clark to Mme Cromer.

He thanks her for showing him the collection and explains that packing and shipping the collection to the USA, the customs duties, and providing enough space for its exhibition will involve additional expenses.  Therefore, he felt the sum 400,000fr. sufficient, but since “it turns out it includes something he hasn’t seen,” he is prepared to ask Kodak to pay 500,000fr.  550,000fr. is too high.  He understands that the part of the collection they buy won’t include most silhouettes and physionotraces, and that the collection will bear Cromer’s name.

 

18.  July 4, 1939, from Walter Clark to L.P. Clerc.

A letter accompanying a copy of Clark’s letter to Mme Cromer (above).

 

19.  July 4, 1939, from Walter Clark to M. Abribat, KPathé.

A letter accompanying a copy of Clark’s letter to Mme Cromer (# 17) and asking that he be notified in Rochester if the offer is acceptable.

 

20.  July 20, 1939, from Mme Cromer to Walter Clark.

She accepts the offer of 500,000fr. for the collection.  She will give them six silhouettes and six physionotraces, to which she also wants to add some carbon photographs made by Cromer.  She hopes they will invite her to the opening of the museum.

 

21.  Aug. 2, 1939, from C.E.K. Mees to H. Shilton, KPathé.

He requests payment to Mme Cromer and discusses packing and shipping of the collection to Rochester.

 

22.  Aug. 4, 1939, from Walter Clark to R.E. Evans, EKC.

He discusses packing and customs regulations and also describes the collection.

 

23.  Aug. 11, 1939, from Walter Clark to L.P. Clerc.

He tells M. Clerc that EKC has purchased the Cromer collection and repeats the terms.  There is a note that copies of this letter were sent to Mr. Davies, M. Abribat, and Mr. McMaster.

 

 

24.  Aug. 11, 1939, from Walter Clark to Edward Epstean.

He tells him that EKC has purchased the collection and asks to keep the catalog, since it’s the only copy that he has.

 

25.  Aug. 11, 1939, from Walter Clark to Mme Cromer.

He thanks her and says that KPathé has been contacted about packing and shipping.

 

26.  Aug. 11, 1939, from Walter Clark to H. Shilton, KPathé.

He informs him that the Cromer collection has been purchased and asks that KPathé arrange packing and shipping to EKC.

 

27.  Aug. 12, 1939, from C.E.K. Mees to Mme Cromer.

He confirms that EKC will pay 500,000fr. and that KPathé will arrange for packing and shipping.   

 

28.  Aug. 28, 1939, from H. Shilton, KPathé to Walter Clark.

The collection is now being packed.  Mr. Bonner and M. Clerc are supervising the work.  They plan to ship the collection soon.

 

29.  Sept. 23, 1939, from H. Shilton, KPathé to Walter Clark.

After Mr. Shilton had arranged the payment to Mme Cromer, she gave them access to the collection.  However, men and transport are scarce due to mobilization and army requisitions.  They are doing the best they can under the circumstances.  Everything is now in two rooms in the building on Avenue Montaigne, which they recently acquired.  The more delicate items have already been packed.  They hope to finish by the end of the month.  Their job is also made more difficult by the fact that neither the description list nor the card index is complete (M. Cromer was working on the latter at the time of his death) and few items bear identification numbers.  However, he is completely sure of Mme Cromer’s honesty and he is doing his best to classify and pack everything logically.              

 

30.  Nov. 17, 1939, from A.S. Bonner, KPathé to Walter Clark.

The collection has been put aboard US Line steamer “Schodack” at Havre.  They have no information regarding the sailing date, but it is thought to be imminent.  They have insured the collection for 500,000fr. against all maritime risks, including war risks.  Included with the letter is a list of the contents of the 51 cases, as well as the partial description list and the card index Mme Cromer has given them.

 

31.  A photocopy of the list of the contents of the 51 cases mentioned above, which includes descriptions in French and English on 4 pages.

 

32.  Nov. 22, 1939, from A.S. Bonner, KPathé to Walter Clark.

They have heard that the steamer left Havre on Nov. 20 and is expected to arrive in 12 days.  Insurance papers are enclosed with the letter (not located here).

 

 

33.  Dec. 20, 1939, from Walter Clark to R.E. Evans, EKC.

He has just received some correspondence from Mr. Bonner regarding the shipment of the collection.  It should now be in New York.  Mr. Bonner’s letter, his description of the cases’ contents, and insurance policies are enclosed in the letter.  The writer is at Evans’s disposal if they need any help clearing through customs.

 

34.  Feb. 5, 1940, from Beaumont Newhall to Walter Clark.

Dr. Heinrich Schwarz, author of an excellent monograph on David Octavius Hill, lost his entire fortune when the Nazis occupied Austria.  He has arrived in the USA with a large collection on the history of photography and is seeking employment.  The writer thinks that if Kodak is contemplating a museum of photography with the Cromer collection as the nucleus, they will want a curator and he can’t think of a better person than Dr. Schwarz.  If they need additional references, they can also consult Mr. Epstean and Mr. Huebsch of Viking Press.

 

35.  Feb. 9, 1940, from S.W. Davidson, EKC to Beaumont Newhall.

      He states that plans for utilizing the Cromer collection are currently indefinite, so he has nothing to offer Dr. Schwarz at the moment, but he’ll be happy to bring him to Mr. Clark’s attention when he returns.

 

36.  Mar. 13, 1940, from Walter Clark to L.P. Clerc. 

He tells him the Cromer collection has arrived and he has started working on the cataloging.  He also asks his help in locating a book Victor Hugo Photographe by Gruyer, because he’d like to show Victor Hugo album at the World’s Fair, and would welcome additional information.

 

37.  March 27, 1940, from Beaumont Newhall to Walter Clark.

He hasn’t been able to locate Gruyer’s book, but remembers what it looks like and hopes his description will help Dr. Clark locate it in the collection.  He also loans him an issue of Arts and Métiers Graphiques devoted to Hugo.

 

38. June 28, 1945, from Mme Cromer to Walter Clark.

She sends him the negatives of a portrait of Jean Destournelles made by Henri Le Seq (?) he has requested along with the prints from them made by her late husband.  She adds that she has continued augmenting her collection of silhouettes and physionotraces, and she also has some prized daguerreotypes in her possession.

 

39. Sept. 18, 1949, from Mme Cromer to Walter Clark.

She has heard that they are looking for documents on photographic/lithographic apparatus and she is sending them a list of what she still has in her possession.  Enclosed is an original physionotrace engraving. 

 

40.  An empty envelope from Mme Cromer to Mr. Clark.

 

 

 

II.                Various Papers Regarding the Cromer Collection after the Sale

 

1.      A news release by IMP/GEH of Jan. 6, 1977 on the February 18th exhibition of 250 French daguerreotypes from the Cromer collection, most of which had not been exhibited or published before.

 

2.      A copy of an issue of Bulletin de la Société Française de Photographie of October 1925 (pp. 274-321) which includes a catalog of an exhibit organized by G. Cromer for the centennial of photography at the 6th International Congress of Photography.  A copy of an issue of Bulletin de la Société Française de Photographie of December 1934 (pp. 240-241, 246-249) which contains the end of a speech commemorating Cromer at the meeting of the Société on November 23, 1934 and an article on him by G. Potonniée.  There is a printed note attached to it addressed to “Betty” from “Elsie” who thought this catalog might be useful in determining which items in the museum collection had been obtained from Cromer and which weren’t.

 

3.      A folder labeled: “Group of Cromer cards taken to W. Clark on 2/9/48.  He will translate them when he has time.” Contents appear to be 5 pp. of handwritten translations which describe 19 items in the collection.

 

4.      A note to Jan[et] Buerger (1978) that GEH library has looked over Cromer newspaper clippings for her, but can’t let the writer make Xerox copies “for fear of damaging” the items.

 

5a. Letter from Nobby (Walter Clark) to Pierre Clement, KPathé (Feb. 22, 1978) that he is doing a story on Gabriel Cromer and wonders if they have a good portrait of him.  He remembers meeting and talking with Mme Cromer as a result of which they got the collection “without which there’d be no Eastman House.”  If they have any interesting documents regarding the transaction or any stories on Cromer, he’d be interested to have copies.

 

5b. Letter from Mlle Bertucat to Walter Clark (March 30, 1978) in answer to the above.  M. Clement is very busy; he has asked them to send a copy of some lines on the Cromer collection from Science et Industries Photographiques (SIP) given to them by M. Clerc.  A thorough search in the SIP didn’t yield any more substantial results.  A copy of a page from SIP is attached (Oct-Nov. 1939, p.327) with a one-paragraph note that a museum of photography will be set up in Rochester, which will include the Cromer collection, and what a pity that the French government didn’t consider it necessary to keep this unique collection in France.

 

6.      Letter from Nobby (Walter Clark) to Jan (Janet Buerger) (Jan. 5, 1981).  He is sending her a brief memoire on the Cromer collection which she may consider for a preface to the book on French daguerreotypes.  He could also provide a portrait of Gabriel Cromer and photographs of his collection at rue Clamart.  The typed article on 5 pages signed by Clark is enclosed.  Copies were send to Robert Mayer and Andy Eskind.

 

7.      Three lists of books dated Nov. 18, 1980: books from the Cromer collection returned to Dr. Clark (8 pages), a supplement to this list (2 pages), and books from the Cromer collection kept in the library (12 pages).

 

8.      An issue of Image (Journal of Photography and Motion Pictures of the International Museum of Photography at George Eastman House) Vol. 24, # 2 published in December, 1981 and wholly dedicated to a very detailed article by Walter Clark entitled “George Eastman House – Its Technology Collections.”

 

9.      A check list in English containing a count of various items in the collection, but no identifications, e.g. “Lens mounts – 6.”

 

10.  Handwritten notes by Walter Clark on the identities of people involved in the acquisition of the Cromer collection.          

 

 

Box 93: Articles, Photographs, File Cards, Notes, and Correspondence Pertaining to Cromer and His Collection

 

 

III.             Articles and Publications

 

1.      Transcription of an extract from Le Journal des Débats (Aug. 12, 1839), which includes an announcement that Daguerre’s process will be discussed at the next meeting by Arago.

 

2.      Several odd pages concerning photography from Revue Universelle des Arts of Brussels - 1855-65, Vol. 9.

 

3.      An issue of Revue Scientifique (Vol. 47, No.6) of Feb. 7, 1891 including “La photographie des couleurs” by Gabriel Lippmann.

 

4.      “La Photographie des Couleurs” by Lazare Weiller published in Revue des Deux Mondes (pp.651-660) on Apr. 1, 1894.

 

5.      “Mirror Portraits” by Elwin Neame published in Pearson’s Magazine in July 1912, accompanied by a handwritten translation into French by Ed. Ninnium (?).

 

6.      “Shadow Portraits” by Elwin Neame published in Pearson’s Magazine (no date) accompanied by a handwritten translation into French by Ed. Ninnium (?).

 

7.      A photocopy of “Les Premières Illustrations Photographiques” by Marius Richard, cut from an April 8, 1933 issue of Toute l’edition (pp. 1, 3) on the history of photography which describes various items the author has seen at Cromer’s house.

 

8.      “Le Phono-Cinematographe et Ses Applications” by A. des Chaumes (no publication, no date).

 

9.      “Nouvelles Recherches sur la Photographie des Couleurs” by M. E. Rothé (pencil date 1909) (no publication information, pp. 173-183).

 

10.  “Les Mouvements de L'Ouvrier” by Ch. Fremont containing sequential stop-action photos of workers.

 

11.  “Analyse Sommaire des Services et Travaux Scientifiques” of M.A. Laussedat (a pamphlet summarizing his achievements as a candidate for a seat in the Academy).

 

12.  Two copies of “Une Grande Invention Française.  Le Centenaire de la Photographie” by F. Honoré published in L’Illustration (No. 4296, pp.5-6) on July 4, 1925 with handwritten comments by Cromer.

 

 

IV.              Cromer’s Notes

 

1.      Seven pages of Cromer’s notes titled “Nouveau affaire photographique plano-panoramique.  Photographe plano-panoramique inventé par N. Garella.” and dated 1858.

 

2.      Two groups of handwritten notes copied by Cromer from periodicals.  One group of notes consists of 5 pages titled “Journal général d’affiches, 26 Novembre, 1822.  Diorama à Londres.  Association et Dissolutions de Société.”  The other group of notes consists of 3 pages titled “Société entre M. Bouton et Daguerre pour la spectacle de diorama” and dated Jan. 3, 1822.

 

3.      Two transparent folders with notes on Salon exhibition of works by Daguerre, Bouton, and others.

 

4.      Fifteen exposure records and other notes dated 1908.

 

5.      Two notes on blue-green paper about the first albumen stereoscopic views made by Ferrier in 1855.

 

6.      Two pages headed G. Cromer, “Les Tableaux et Dioramas de M. Daguerre” with a list of titles by Daguerre and Bouton.  Further notes on dioramas.  There is also a penciled list of photographers and their inventions. 

 

7.      A page of Cromer’s notes on plays for which Daguerre designed the scenery.

 

8.      Three pages of notes on apparatus, especially lenses, citations, notes on images and pre-photographic images and equipment, especially lithographs.  Included is a Xerox copy of these pages marked “to Jan Buerger Sept. 13, 1978.”

 

9.      A penciled note about images of parts of Notre-Dame precinct, subsequently demolished.  Included are notes on a lithograph after a daguerreotype.

 

10.  Two empty envelopes, one marked “Cromer formulas notes,” and the other “1908.”

 

11.  Empty brown paper folder marked “Photographes de Herschel” with citations written on it.

 

12.  Two notes concerning a motion picture camera made by Grimoin-Sanson.

 

 

V.       Various sets of cards describing or concerning the Cromer collection

 

1.      Forty-four cards with Cromer’s address and an inscription “Specialty: printing in carbon,” which list prices corresponding to various sizes of prints.  On the back there are handwritten descriptions of various items in the Cromer collection.

 

2.      Seven 4x6 file cards containing English translations of Cromer’s descriptions and some notes in French.

 

3.      Three descriptive labels referring to an image of a ghost in Robertson’s Phantasmagorica, a Gaudin camera, and a publication by Gaudin and Lerebours.

 

 

VI.              Photographs belonging to or related to the Cromer collection

 

1.      An 8x10 photograph, a portrait of Gabriel Cromer, stamped “Walter Clark” on the back.

 

2.      Five photographs (7x9) and copy negatives (8x10) of the Cromer collection in Cromer’s house in Paris.

 

3.      Four blue-toned gelatin silver postcards in an envelope with Cromer’s inscription “four pretty landscapes on postcards.”

 

4.      Three envelopes with Cromer’s notes. Two contain a printed reproduction of an engraving each, and one –  two postcards with paintings in the Louvre.

 

5.      Photographic stamps obtained by heliogravure: three differently colored sheets of 7 stamps each and seven differently colored sheets of various quantities of the same stamp bearing a portrait of Ronsard which the envelope claims to be “different editions of Becker” (dates 1524-1924 and names E. Becker and Vangirard appear on each stamp in small print).

 

6.      Xerox copies of three photographs taken by Cromer.

 

 

VII.           Correspondence

 

1.      A letter from M. Auld in Bry sur Marne to Cromer (Apr. 23, 1928) asking him to come over and see some items which the writer wishes to sell to the Société Française de la Photographie.

 

2.      A letter from Derepas Frères to Cromer (March 17, 1903) that they are sending him a catalog of equipment they have received since his last visit.

 

3.      A list of “Emerson medallists” where Cromer is listed among the bronze medallists “for portraits and landscapes.”  A handwritten letter from P. H. Emerson (Sept. 12, 1927) is attached in which he congratulates Cromer on this occasion.

 

4.      An envelope addressed to H. Foutan which contains an article about an auction of various antiques at the castle Montgeoffroy which had been abandoned for forty years and where some valuable tapestries will be sold, among other things (pencil date April 2, 1903, no publication information).  Enclosed in the envelope are also a photograph of a tapestry (gelatin silver) and a proof print which appears to be a reproduction of a portrait. 

 

5.      A bill from the rare book dealer Gumuchain & Cie (Dec. 21, 1931) with a list of books and catalogs purchased by Cromer.

 

6.      A letter from Mary Martin to Cromer (Jan. 30, 1932) in which she asks him to explain to her the use of an optical viewing device probably for drawings (several drawings of the device are attached) and tells him how happy she is to have obtained a copper plate with a portrait of Saint Mémin.  She hopes Mme Cromer will find the time to send her a copy of Saint Mémin’s letter.  See other letters from Mary Martin to the Cromers in Box 94c, X.

 

7.      Letters from Paul Reynaud to Cromer.

a.       Apr. 28, 1932, he is sending Cromer the exact information on the issue of La Nature which contains an article “Praxinoscope en Projection.”

b.      June 14, 1933, thanking him in advance for lending a unique praxinoscope to an exhibition in Versailles.

c.       June 16, 1933, he agrees that it’s wise not to lend valuable items of his collection to exhibitions of low standing – he himself once lent some photo equipment to some organization, but the project never materialized; so he apologizes to Cromer for having bothered him.


Box 94: Fragments of Books and Manuscripts

 

 

VIII.        Fragments of books and manuscripts

 

1.      A part of a book Artistes Vivantes (pp. 187-328), loosely bound and not wholly cut (no cover, no beginning, and no end).

 

2.      Book pages: Chapter XIV from Vingt ans de police: souvenirs et anecdotes d’un ancien officier de Paris, 1887.  It is enclosed in a page from a book, printed in German Gothic type.

 

3.      A manuscript book with day-by-day listing of historical events in photography.  (e.g. 10 May -- 1792; Joseph Nicéphore Niépce is named a sub-lieutenant in the 42nd infantry regiment.  1841; Letter from M. Gaudin to M. Becquerel – proceedings on “continuous rays” and their application to photography).  GEH  accession number 3249.

 

4.      Loose notes gathered between book covers, which are apparently “working papers” for the above book, as they are sorted by date, and each mentions one event. 

 

5.      Three photographs with views of Paris with a penciled note on the other side of each of them that they are modern prints of albumen glass plates of old stereoscopic views of Paris.  (They were formerly enclosed in # 4).


Index to Cromer Correspondence and Documents

 

Abribat, Kodak Pathé, letters to, Box 92, I: 19, 23

Adam-Salomon, Antoine Samuel

            letter from, Box 94c, XI: 1

            letter to, Box 94c, XI: 19

Albin Guillot, Laure, mentioned in letter, Box 94c, XII: 6b

Amussat, Dr., letter to, Box 94c, XI: 1

Arago, Dominique François Jean, mentioned in article, Box 93, III: 1

Arts et Métiers Graphiques, letters to Mme Cromer from the director of,

            Box 94c, XII: 6a-b

Artistes Vivantes, part of a book of, Box 94, VIII: 1

Auld, letter to Cromer from, Box 93, VII: 1

 

Barreaux, Remiette Alexandrine (Cromer’s paternal grandmother)

                death certificate of, Box 94a, II: 4

Baume Pluvinel, Count de la, letter to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, VIII: 1

Becker, letter to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, VIII: 2

Bent, W. G., Kodak Ltd.

            letter from, Box 92, I: 6

            letter to, Box 92, I: 11

            mentioned in letter, Box 92, I: 12

Bibliothèque Nationale, letters to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, XII: 7a-b

Bonner, A. S., Kodak Pathé

            letters from, Box 92, I: 30, 32

            mentioned in letters, Box 92, I: 28, 33

Bonnet, mentioned in letter, Box 94c, XI: 5

Bonzon-Blot, Mme, inheritance from Mme Cromer of, Box 94c, XII: 8

Bourbouze, Cromer’s article about, Box 94b, IV: 7

Boutez, Henri, letter from, Box 94c, XI: 2

Brigeau, Kodak Pathé, letter from, Box 92, I: 1

Buerger, Janet, letters to, Box 92, II: 4, 6; Box 93, IV: 8

Bulletins of the Société Française de Photographie with Cromer’s articles, Box 94b, IV

 

Caffery, Jefferson, American ambassador in France

            letter to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, VIII: 3

Camarsa (?), Lafon de, letter from, Box 94c, XI: 3

Chambre de Députés, letter from, Box 94c, XI: 4

Chatellier, George, letter to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, VIII: 4

Chaumes, A. des, article on phono-cinematographe by, Box 93, III: 8

Chauvet, Gilberte, letter to, Box 94c, XI: 14b

Cherung (?), E., letter from, Box 94c, XI: 5

Chevassu, Francis, letter from, Box 94c, XI: 6

Cicéri, Eugene, letter from, Box 94c, XI: 7a-b

Clark, Walter (Nobby), EKC

            article on GEH technology collection by, Box 92, II: 8

            letters from, Box 92, I: 7, 8, 10-13, 17-19, 22-26, 33, 36; II: 5a, 6

            letters to, Box 92, I: 4, 5b, 9, 15, 16, 20, 28-30, 32, 34, 37-40; II: 7

            mentioned in letters, Box 92, I: 14; II: 8

            notes by, Box 92, II: 3, 10

Clement, Pierre

            letter to, Box 92, II: 5

mentioned in letter, Box 92, II: 6

Clerc, L. P.

            letter from, Box 92, I: 16

letters to, Box 92, I: 3, 18, 23, 36

            mentioned in letter, Box 94c, XIII: 6f ; Box 92, I: 1, 8, 13, 28; II: 5b

Collinet, Paul, letter to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, VIII: 5

Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers

            letter to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, VIII: 6

            mentioned in letters, Box 94c, VII: 15, 21; Box 92, I: 13

Cromer, Henriette Virginie Marie (Cromer’s wife)

            correspondence with Kodak’s representatives, Box 94c, XII: 6c-g and Box 92, I:

                        letters from, 15, 20, 38-40

                        letters to,17, 25, 27

                        mentioned in letters, 1, 7, 13, 16, 18, 19, 21, 29, 30

            documents concerning the inheritance after the death of, Box 94c, XII: 8

            documents concerning the inheritance from M. Cromer of, Box 94c, XII: 1-4

            letters from Bibliothèque Nationale to, Box 94c, XII: 7a-b

            letters from private people to, Box 94c, VIII; X: 2-6; XII: 6a-b

            letters from the Société Française de Photographie to, Box 94c, XII: 5

Cromer, Jules Michel

certificate for a medal of, Box 94a, II: 1

Cromer, Michel (Cromer’s paternal grandfather)

            birth certificate of, Box 94a, I: 1

            death certificate of, Box 94a, I: 3

Cromer, Michel Alexandre (Cromer’s father)

            degrees of, Box 94a, II: 2-5

            birth certificate of, Box 94a, I: 2

Cromer, Michel Alexandre Edmond Joseph Gabriel

            as a Knight of the Legion of Honor, Box 94a, II: 8; Box 94c, VII: 17

            cards with descriptions of Cromer collection of, Box 93, V: 1-3

            degrees of, Box 94a, II: 6,7

            documents concerning the death of, Box 94c, XII: 1

            family papers of, Box 94a, I, II

            inventions of, Box 94a, III

            letters mentioning, Box 94c, XI: 16, XII: 6a

            letters to, Box 94c, VII; XI: 1; Box 93, VII: 1-4, 7, 8a-c

letters to Mme Cromer expressing condolence at the death of, Box 94c, VIII: 1, 4-

6, 8-11, 13, 15  

manuscripts of a chronicle of events in photography, Box 94, VIII: 3, 4

notes of, Box 93, IV 1-12

photographs belonging to or related to the collection of, Box 93, VI, 1-6

prints of (copies), Box 94b, V: 5

publications of, Box 94b, IV, V: 2

typed articles with handwritten proofs of, Box 94b, VI

 

Daguerre, Louis

            brochure by the Bibliothèque Nationale on, Box 94c, XII: 7a

Cromer’s articles about, Box 94b, IV: 6, 7; VI: 4, 7

                Cromer’s notes about, Box 93, IV: 2, 3, 6, 7

            mentioned in article, Box 93, III: 1

                mentioned in letter, Box 94c, VII: 12a

Davanne, Alphonse, letter to, Box 94c, XI: 2

David, Dr., letters about, Box 94c, XI: 4, 23

Davidson, S. W., EKC, letter from, Box 92, I: 35

Davies, letter to, Box 92, I: 23

Demaria, J., General Commissioner, letters to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 1ab

Démichel & Ploquin, photographers

letter to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, VIII: 7

memtioned in letter, Box 94c, IX: 8

Derepas, Frères, letter to Cromer from, Box 93, VII: 2

Devéria, E., letter from, Box 94c, XI: 8

Dignimont

            letter to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 2

letters to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, VIII: 8a-b

Ducrêtot (?), letter to, Box 94c, XI: 13c

Dumonh (?), letter to, Box 94c, XI: 5

Duplrinle, letter to Cromer from, Box 94a, III: 7c

Dupons, Prenne, copyrighted poem “Oasis” by, Box 94c, XI: 9

 

Eastman Kodak Company

            letters from, Box 92, I: 7, 8, 10-13, 17-19, 22-26, 33, 35, 36; II: 5, 7

            letters to, Box 92, I: 4, 5, 9, 15, 16, 20, 22, 28-30, 32-34, 38-40; II: 6

            mentioned in letters, Box 92, I: 6, 14, 27; II: 8

École Proféssionale de Photographie et Cinématographie

letter to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 3a-c

Emerson, P. H., letter to Cromer from, Box 93, VII: 3

Epstean, Edward

            letters from, Box 92, I: 4, 9

            letters to, Box 92, I: 8, 10, 24

            mentioned in letters, Box 92, I:  1, 7, 13, 16, 18, 21, 29, 30, 34

Eskind, Andy, letter to, Box 92, II: 7

Evans, R. E., EKC, letters to, Box 92, I: 22, 33

 

Ferrier, Claude Marie, Cromer’s notes about, Box 93, IV: 5

Flobert, Paul, letter to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 4

Fort, Paul

            letter to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 5a-b

            letter from, Box 94c, XI: 10

Foutan, H., letter to, Box 93, VI: 4

Francia, J. de, bookshop, letter to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 6

Fremont, Ch., article by, Box 93, III: 10

 

Garella, N., Cromer’s notes about, Box 93, IV: 1

Gaumont (?), letter to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 7

Gilles, Emil, contracts with Cromer of, Box 94a, III: 2e

Gilles-Faller, camera makers, letter to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 8

Giroux, Alphonse, letter to, Box 94c, XI: 7b

Gosselin, letter to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 9

Grepley (?), letter to, Box 94c, XI: 13b

Grimoin-Sanson, Cromer’s notes about, Box 93, IV: 12

Gumuchain & Co., letter to Cromer from, Box 93, VII: 5

 

Helbronner, Paul, letter to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, VIII: 9

Hennequin, René

            letter to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 10

            letter to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, VIII: 10

Honoré, F., article on the centenary of photography by, Box 93, III: 12

Hugou-Roydon (?), letter to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 11

 

Jacomet Co., Daniel, letter to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 12

Janin, Jules, letter from, Box 94c, XI: 11

Jausson, letter from, Box 94c, XI: 12

 

Kodak, correspondence concerning the sale of the collection of, Box 94c, XII: 6c-g;

             Box 92: 1

Kodak Ltd.

            letters from, Box 92, I: 2, 3, 5, 6

            letters to, Box 92, I: 1, 7, 11

            mentioned in letters, Box 92, I: 10, 12

Kodak Pathé

            letters from, Box 92, I: 1, 28-30, 32; II: 6

            letters to, Box 92, I: 2, 19, 21, 26; II: 5

            mentioned in letters, Box 92, I: 25, 27

 

Labbe, mentioned in letter, Box 94c, IX: 6; XII: 6b 

Laloublie, Count G. de, letter from, Box 94c, XI: 12

Larief, letter from, as member of Société Lumière, Box 94c, VII: 14

Laussedat, Aimé

            pamphlet about, Box 93, III: 11

letters from, Box 94c, XI: 13a-c

Le Seq, Henri, mentioned in letter, Box 92, I: 38

Lebrun, Albert, President of France

            letter to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 13

            letter to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, VIII: 11, 19   

Lippmann, Gabriel, article on color photography by, Box 93, III: 3

Lovejoy

            letter to, Box 92, I: 6

            mentioned in letters, Box 92, I: 11, 14

Lumière, Louis

            letters from, Box 94c, XI: 14a-b

            letters to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 15a-h

            letters to Mme Cromer from,  Box 94c, VIII: 12a-c

            mentioned in letters, Box 94c, VII: 2a-b, 6

Lumière, Société, letters from, Box 94c, VII: 14, XI: 21

 

Mannellegay (?), letter to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 16

Martin, Cromer’s contract with, Box 94a, III: 4b

Martin, Mary, letters to the Cromers from, Box 94c, X: 1-7; Box 93, VII: 6

Mattey, Albert, Cromer’s contract with, Box 94a, III: 3c

Mayer, Robert, letters to, Box 92, II: 7

McMaster, letter to, Box 92, I: 23

Mees, C. E. K.

            letters from, Box 92, I: 14, 21, 27

            letters to, Box 92, I:  6, 13

            mentioned in letters, Box 92, I: 11

Méliès, mentioned in letter, Box 94c, VII: 6

Ministry of Education and Fine Arts, letter to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 17

Moigno (?), abbot, letter to, Box 94c, XI: 3

Montel, Paul, as member of Publication Photographiques

letters to Cromer from, Box 94c, IX: 1-8

letter to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, IX: 9

Museum of Photography,

            plans for, Box 94c, XII: 6a-b

            as conceived by Cromer, Box 94b, IV: 9, V: 1

            at Bièvre, Box 94b, V: 3

 

Nadar, T., letter to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, VIII: 13

Neame, Elwin, articles on photographic portraits by, Box 93, III: 5, 6

Newhall, Beaumont

            letter from, Box 92, I: 34, 37

            letter to, Box 92, I: 35

 

Paullussen, A., letter to Cromer from, Box 94a, III: 4b

Payen, Paul, admission to the Société Française de Photographie of, Box 94b, IV: 5

Peignot, Charles, director of Arts et Métiers Graphiques

            letters to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 18a-b

            letters to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, XII: 6a-b

Peynot, mentioned in letter, Box 94c, XI: 6

Pigeon, letter to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 19

Pledge, J., Kodak Ltd.

letters from, Box 92, I: 2, 3, 5

letters to, Box 92, I: 1, 7

Privas, Xavier, letter from, Box 94c, XI: 16

Publications Photographiques

letters to Cromer from, Box 94c, IX: 1-8

letter to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, IX: 9

 

Quenedey, Count, letter from, Box 94c, XI: 17

 

Radius, mentioned in letter, Box 94c, VIII: 14

Reynaud, Paul, letters to Cromer from, Box 93, VII: 7a-c

Richard, Marius, article on first photographs by, Box 93, III: 7

Richaud, Mme A., letter from, Box 94c, XI: 18

Roethé, M. E., article on color photography by, Box 93, III: 9

Ruhare, letter to Cromer, Box 94c, VII: 20

 

Saint-Mémin, Charles Balthasar Julien Fevret de, mentioned in letters of Mary Martin,

            Box 94c, X: 1, 3, 6; Box 93, VII: 6

Samson, letter from, Box 94c, XI: 19

Santeul, Claude de

            letter from, Box 94c, XI: 20

            letter to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, VIII: 15

            mentioned in letter, Box 94c, IX: 7

Schwartz, Dr. Heinrich, mentioned in letters, Box 92, I: 34, 35

Shilton, H., Kodak Pathé

            letters from, Box 92, I: 28, 29

            letters to, Box 92, I: 21, 26

Sirot, Georges, article about, Box 94c, XII: 6g

Société Française de Photographie

            bulletins with Cromer’s articles of, Box 94b, IV

            letter to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 21

            letters to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, XII:5

            notice of a meeting of, Box 94b, V: 4  

            publications of, Box 94b, V: 6

Solbert, mentioned in letter, Box 92, I: 11

Stereoscopy, Cromer’s articles on, Box 94b, IV: 3, 5; VI: 2

Sulzer, A. F., letters to, Box 92, I: 12, 14

 

Thomas, letter to, Box 94c, XI: 7a

Trarieux, Albert, letter from, Box 94c, XI: 21

 

Velendarble, Sustaine (?), letter from, Box 94c, XI: 22

Verdon, Robert, letters to Mme Cromer from, Box 94c, VIII: 16a-b

Vieux Papier, an archeological, historical, and artistic society

            mentioned in letters, Box 94c, VIII: 14, XI: 18

            printed list of, Box 94c, VIII: 17

Vingt ans de police: souvenirs et anecdotes d’un ancien officier de Paris, pages from,

            Box 94, VIII: 2

Wague, Georges

            letters from, Box 94c, XI: 23a-b

            letter to Cromer from, Box 94c, VII: 22

            letter to Mme Cromer, Box 94c, VIII: 17

Weiller, Lazare, article on color photography by, Box 93, III: 4

Willème, François

            Cromer’s article about, Box 94b, V: 2

            mentioned in letters, Box 94c, VII: 3a; IX: 1