“The gravure printing will be without doubt one of the most beautiful and complete conquests of modern science. “ by H. de la Blanchère, 1861

Comparing Nadar’s signature, this sample differs from the second example of this print in the collection suggesting that one of them was made as a proof.

Printing with printing ink alone could produce these images, and heliographic engraving, invented by M. Niepce de Saint-Victor, made this difficult problem possible. Selfless inventor, he did not apply himself, but his few students extended and perfected his procedures. MM. Riffaut and Ch. Nègre obtained very fine results. Finally MM. Baudran and De La Blanchère have just brought this art to a final improvement, by applying heliographic engraving without retouching to portraits, reproductions and landscapes. The gravure printing will be without doubt one of the most beautiful and complete conquests of modern science. Eder