LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNAL

VOL. I.—NEW SERIES. 1857

In consequence of attention having been drawn in this paper to the fact that the majority of the pictures in the Society’s Exhibition, are from collodion negatives, it was resolved:—

"That as an acknowledgment of the eminent services of Mr. F. Scott Archer, the inventor of the collodion process in photography, this society join in the subscription for a testimonial to that gentleman; and that a circular be sent to the members, requesting their assistance."

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LONDON PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

This society held its third ordinary meeting on Thursday, the 7th instant; Sir W. J. Newt , vice-president, in the chair. The minutes of the former meeting were recorded and confirmed.The Chairman read the following letter from Dr. Diamond, referring to the decease of Frederick Scott Archer :—

To the President of the Photographic Society


My Lord, — I regret that I should be prevail remaining in London to-night, to attend the meeting of the society; but I hope it may not be against the rule to ask for the society’s sympathy for the widow and family of the late Frederick Scott Archer, it may lend its aid and cordially assist in urging the claims on the public which have not been entirely acknowledged during the lifetime of this great advancer of photography. Very recently he had |u engaged in experiments likely to lead to further improvements, but ill health disabled his proceed; nor can it be denied, I fear, but that feelings of disappointment, while reflecting on those he left behind unprovided for, saddened his last sickness.
Hoping that the society’s voice may prove communication to have been unnecessary, and with much respect, I have the honour to remain, my friend.
Yours faithfully, J. R. DIAMOND, M.
Haydon Hall, Eastcote, 7th May, 1857.


Mr. Mayall then rose and said that he had been in intimate communication with the widow during a great portion of his illness, and taken his farewell only a few hours before his death. He was also empowered by the widow to read a portion of a letter which she sent to the speaker upon the subject.

After further observations in which the discovery of Mr. Archer was spoken of in the past terms, the following extract from Mrs. Archer’s letter was read : —


"Tomorrow there will be a meeting of the Photographic Society; in the morning we shall consign your husband to the grave in Kensall Green. I do not know if you will think fit to allude to this instance in the evening; you might add that wife and children are left totally unprovided for, I have not the slightest doubt that this feeling bemoaned Mr. Archer’s life. His health failing, he could not help regretting the time he had spent in his experiments, instead of making exertions for the wants of his family.”

The speaker then urged that a subscription at once be commenced, and stated that they would give twenty guineas at once; and as at present in communication with the photographers in all parts of the world, and suggested that, with a properly organized committee, there would soon be sufficient to place Mrs. Archer and her children within the reach of want. — (Loud cheers.)

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MANCHESTER PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY


The usual meetings of the council and members were held at the rooms of the Philisophical Society, on Wednesday evening, the 8th of April Mr. Neville was in the chair at the former the Rev. W. J. Read, M.A., F.U.A.S., present at the latter.

After passing the minutes of the last meeting, letters were read from the Literary and Philosophical Society, from the Livcrpool Photographic Society, and a circular containing the rules and regulations of the Photographic Exchange Club connected Avith the Society at Birmingham. The Secretary reported that he had transmitted to Mr. Archer £34 16s., the amount subscribed by the members of this Society, and read the gentleman’s acknowledgment, as follows:—


105, Great Russell-st., Bloomsbury, W “ 6ith March, 1857.
Sir, — In reply to your letter received this morning, I am at a loss to express my sense of high compliment paid to me by the members of the Manchester Photographic Society, by electing of an honorary member of the same, and in by still further shewn their appreciation of the value of the collodion process in photography and the testimonial they have so promptly raised. This is highly gratifying to me, as few men live to see the general application of their discoveries, and still to have them so generally acknowledged.
“ I must beg you to thank the members of this society for the honour they have thus done meto assure them that if health and leisure are permitted me, I do hope, with the humble men possess, still further to advance the art of photography.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Yours faithfully, FREDERICK SCOTT ARCHER

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