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M. de St. Croix 
Parliament Street from Trafalgar Square 
1839 
  
Daguerreotype 
Victoria and Albert Museum 
Museum number: PH.1-1986 
  
 
LL/36253 
  
Summary information provided by the V&A (Accessed: 7 April 2010).
 
This is the oldest photograph in the Museum's collection. It is a daguerreotype, a unique image formed on a silvered copper plate. The daguerreotype was the first photographic process, publicised in January 1839. It was named after its inventor, Louis Daguerre. Just a few weeks later the first public demonstration of the daguerreotype in London was organised by a Monsieur de St Croix. This is therefore among the very first photographs taken in London. The scene is reversed - as is characteristic of the process - and the image on the shiny surface is difficult to read. However, once caught at the correct angle, amazing detail emerges. In the foreground there is a statue of Charles I and in the distance the royal Banqueting House. There are also traces of the people who stayed still long enough to register on the exposure, which probably lasted some minutes. 
 
 
  
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