Menu
Log in
The Daguerreian Society
Log in


Our purpose is to inform and inspire our members, build a sense of community, and contribute to the scholarship and preservation of 19th-century photography.  Learn More

Our Mission

The Daguerreian Society is committed to advancing the understanding and appreciation of daguerreotypes and other early photographs. Our purpose is to inform and inspire our members, build a sense of community, and contribute to the scholarship and preservation of 19th-century photography. We fulfill this mission through a variety of publications, events and activities.   Learn more about becoming a Member

Daguerreotypes

The Daguerreian Society is the leading organization dedicated to the history, technology, art, and preservation of 19th-century photography. 

Our international membership brings together photography collectors and dealers, museum professionals, historians, scientists, students, educators, photographers, and artists. A 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 1988, The Daguerreian Society welcomes all who share an interest in early photography.


Benefits of Membership

Being a member of the Daguerreian Society means that you are part of a worldwide community of like-minded people who share a passion for early photographic images and processes. Participation in the group gives rise to long-lasting friendships, information sharing, and unique learning and networking opportunities. This camaraderie is one of the chief benefits of membership.

Fellowship, community, and sharing are our watchwords. Much of this comes from the casual contact of members who help each other “offline” as well as from live events, virtual webinars, and published articles. In addition, the Society can facilitate introductions between members and experts with specialized knowledge, including museum curators, conservators, appraisers, historians, major collectors, or auctioneers.  Become a Member

The Annual

The Daguerreian Society Annual features approximately 250 pages of unique research, supported by full-color reproductions and historical reprints. Produced since 1990, these high-quality printed volumes have become a prime resource for the understanding and appreciation of early daguerreotypes and other early photographs.  Learn More

The Quarterly

The Daguerreian Society Quarterly is published electronically four times a year and features selected daguerreotypes and other 19th-century photographs in full color, articles of interest, late-breaking news, research queries, and reviews of recent books and publications. Past issues are available in a password-protected area of the Society’s website.  Learn More

Email Updates

The Society keeps in regular touch with members through frequent email updates on upcoming events, publications, and other news related to the Society and 19th-century photography.  Subscribe

Webinars/Educational Programs

The Society regularly organizes educational programs exploring various aspects of the history, technology, art, and preservation of 19th-century photography. During the pandemic, for example, it ramped up a webinar series on a rich assortment of topics ranging from dating cabinet cards and cartes de visite and to “William Henry Jackson & F.V. Hayden's Photographs of North American Indians” and “Prince Albert: Patron of Early Photography.” One of the most popular programs was a masterclass on Jeremiah Gurney by longtime member Terry Alphonse, drawn from his personal collection.  View Upcoming Events

Annual Conference

Each fall, the Society hosts a multi-day conference which includes Symposium presentations, roundtable discussions, an opening reception, a banquet, a fundraising auction, and behind-the-scenes tours of major institutional collections – all in the company of other members who share a passion for early photography.  Learn More

Opportunities to Find and Purchase Images  

Besides facilitating contact among our members, the Society organizes events that help members gain access to and purchase great early images in all price ranges. These include photography trade fairs, in which members have free, early access to the shows. There’s also the Society's Benefit Auction, held during the annual Symposium conference.  Learn More

The Membership Directory

The online membership directory is a great resource for finding fellow collectors, dealers, museum professionals, and others who share your photographic interests. Located in members-only area of the Daguerreian Society’s website, it provides a searchable database containing members' contact information as well as a listing of their interests, specialties, and expertise. It can be searched by state and country, which is hugely valuable when planning domestic or overseas travel. What’s more, the Society can facilitate introductions between members and leading experts around the world.  Learn More

Other Member-Only Website Content

The members-only section of the website includes an archive of past Daguerreian Society Quarterlies going back to 2007. It also hosts a blog, which is currently viewable only by members. Any member to submit a post may do so.  Become a Member

Special Groups and Advisory Councils

The Society occasionally develops special groups and advisory councils to help bring together members with specific interests and needs. In the past, these have included groups for contemporary practitioners of antiquarian processes, curators, and international members.  Learn More

The Dagguerreian Society

The Daguerreian Society
PO Box #306
Cecil, PA 15321-0306
Phone: 412-221-0306
Email Us
Subscribe to E-Mail List
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software