CHANDLER, Edward. Photography in Ireland. The Nineteenth Century LIMITED TO 30 COPIES ONLY IN A FINE BINDING]

Illustrated. Dublin: De Búrca, 2001. Folio. pp. xii, 44 (plates), 134. Bound in full black morocco by Des Breen, title in silver along spine; image of early daguerreotype camera in silver on upper cover; blue endpapers; blue and white endbands. Signed by the author, publisher and binder, Des Breen. Top edge silver. A fine copy in leather entry slipcase.  Eddie Chandler was a graphic designer by profession and was involved in photography in Ireland for almost half a century. From the 1960s he was involved in the historical aspect of the medium and he began researching its early years in Ireland. Because of the nature of the subject sources of information were few and difficult to find, he spent many decades pouring over old newspapers and periodicals, some of which were not even available in Ireland. Eddie was recognized internationally as an expert in the field, and, amassed a substantial collection of early photographic material relating to Ireland. Much of this was transferred to the National Library of Ireland during the 1980s and now forms part of the National Photographic Archive. He was responsible for the acquisition by the NLI of the archive of negatives from Clonbrock House, County Galway - these were taken by Augusta, Lady Clonbrock during the nineteenth century. He also advised Sotheby's and Christie's in London on Irish photographs. He lectured widely in Ireland and was honoured when asked to deliver two talks in London on Irish photography to the Historical Group of the prestigious Royal Photographic Society. This book pieces together the lives and careers of largely forgotten men and women who pushed forward the boundaries of the visual world. From the very start in 1839, and throughout the nineteenth century, there was no mainstream movement in the art-science called photography. Eddie's no nonsense prose style, blending scholarship and an infectious passion for his subject, is most enjoyable to read. He is inquisitive, informative, and insightful. The work is further complemented with his selection of rare plates.