Newton, William Thoughts on the Philosophy of Light Jeffersonville, Ia [i.e., Indiana]: A. Spaulding Tilden, 1843 Presentation copy, inscribed "RichardNewton from his brothe(r) William." (One letter trimmed in margin). A remarkable and sophisticated essay on the properties of light and the implications for future developments in photography. On pp. 16 - 20, the author Newton concludes his thoughts on the general character of light with prophetic speculations regarding color photography and the application of Daguerre's process to astronomical observation: On color photography: "And we know of no reason why the COLOR of an individual may be taken as well as the form, features and expression ... the impression of color is as surely made on the rays of light, as that of form or feature ... Hitherto, the object seems to hav been, to give the impression of the FORM alone ... Cannot the plate be so prepared as to give a visible and permanent impression of the COLOR of the object whose image we may wish to secure?" (p. 17) On astro- photography: "We allude to the question of combining the Daguerrotype ... with the apparatus of the telescope, for the purpose of obtaining maps of the geography of the heavens. Are our readers disposed to treat this as a scheme altogether too wild and visionary for serious consideration? ... we conceive it too plain for dispute, that the object which is sufficiently near to make an impression on the eye, is not too distant to produce a similar impression on a properly prepared metallic plate ..." (p. 19). The Preface is signed "Jeffersonville, March 5, 1843" First edition. 8vo. vii,[1], 20 pp. Disbound. American Imprints 43-3815 (Huntington Library, only); OCLC: 37390694 (2 locations: Indiana University and Kentucky Historical Society Price: USD 2,500.00 other currencies   order no. 212595    inquire

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