Photographie E.J. Asser c. 1854

Editor: Here we have “Photographie E.J. Asser,” created around 1854 by Eduard Isaac Asser, and it’s an albumen print. The worn texture of the cover makes it feel very tangible and real. What strikes you most about it? Curator: Considering this object, I'm drawn to its construction as a book, a deliberate act of compilation. It's more than just photographs; it’s a crafted object reflecting a specific labor process. Editor: What do you mean by "labor process?" Curator: Think about it: sourcing the materials – the paper, the chemicals for the albumen print, the binding. Each element represents labor. Then consider the photographic process itself, the time, skill, and equipment required for each print. Asser wasn’t just taking pictures; he was managing a complex industrial craft. Editor: So, it's less about the image within, and more about the physical reality of the album itself? Curator: Exactly! Look at the way it's aged. Those marks and wear patterns? They’re a record of use, of hands interacting with it over time. How were photography albums of this era manufactured? Where did Asser get the materials? What can we discover about who assisted with the printing, developing, and assembling process? All important questions for investigation. Editor: That’s fascinating! I hadn’t considered the socio-economic factors embedded within a photograph like this. Curator: By focusing on its materiality, we can unearth stories about early photographic practices. Editor: I agree. I never really thought about the hands that went into crafting something seemingly so simple, a book.