Muse'e Francais De La Photographie

SCHRAMMR@wlsvax.wvnet.edu
Mon, 05 Jun 1995 22:16:54 -0400 (EDT)

I recently returned from a sabbatical trip during which I visited the
Muse'e Francais de la Photographie (French Museum of Photography) which
is located in Bievres, France near Paris. I'm sure that some members of
this group have been there, but for those of you who have not, let me
tell you what a delightful place it is. Therein is contained probably the
most extensive collection of photographic equipment, both antique and
modern, in the world. Also they have reproduced, inscale model, some
of Daguerre's dioramas complete with changing lighting. They have reproduced
Niepe's pewter plate photographs. One finds such wonderful artifacts as
posters from the Paris Opera with some photographs of performers by Nadar
pasted on. The chief conservateur, M. Andre' Fage is a most pleasant and
knowledgable person with a great sense of humor. He could not have been
nicer to me. I also finally learned how to pronounce Niepce. ;-) I do not
wish to bore you further with travel stories, but I do highly recommend
this museum. If anyone in the group plans to visit this museum, I would
be pleased to give directions from Paris and answer other questions. A
word of warning- no one at the museum speaks any English so you will
have to work on your Frence before you go.

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Robert W. Schramm schrammr@wlsvax.wvnet.edu