Dates:

1866-1867

Scope and content:

The paper negatives Henri Sauvaire made on the 1866 expedition were much more technically competent than Vignes's glass plate negatives and required less intervention on the printer's part during their translation into photomechanical prints. Although Luynes and Sauvaire corresponded regarding the duke's search for the right person to make the photogravures, Luynes died in 1867 before revealing the name of the person he had selected for the job. Ultimately, Eugène Cicéri was chosen to reproduce Sauvaire's photographs, perhaps selected by the Comte de Vogüé, who took over the supervision the publication of the Voyage after the death of Luynes's nephew. Owing perhaps to costs only sixteen of Sauvaire's photographs were reproduced in the Voyage.

Materials related to the engraving of Sauvaire's photographs include correspondence, sample prints, contracts, receipts for payments made to the engravers, and lists of payments made to the engravers. Present here is a draft of a contract between Luynes and Gustave Dujardin and Henri Garnier for the translation of Sauvaire's photographs into photogravures. Correspondence between Luynes and Dujardin discusses technical details regarding the reproduction of photographic prints. Luynes comments on the quality of the proofs and watercolors to be engraved and photographed, including proofs from Sauvaire. Dujardin discusses the results he can obtain by reproducing photographic views by photogravure and he promotes the benefits of the steel engraving process developed by Garnier. A small group of print samples in various photographic and photomechanical mediums compliments the correspondence. Another small group of print samples made by Paul-Émile Placet fom Sauvaire's negatives and Placet's price list completes the materials.

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