Camera Work: A Photographic Quarterly (1907 (Heft 20))

of the question. Steichen's methods are solely chemical ones, as must be
everyone else’s. This for the benefit of the many ready to jump at erroneous
conclusions. On September 18th, I sailed from Europe with a series of
pictures made by Steichen, Eugene, and myself. On the 24th I landed, and
on the 26th the Press received the following notice :
" New York , September 26, 1907.
To the Press:
Gentlemen : — Color photography is an accomplished fact. That
this is actually true will be demonstrated at an exhibition, reserved exclu-
sively for the Press, in the Photo-Secession Galleries, 291 Fifth Avenue, on
Friday and Saturday, September 27 and 28, between the hours of 10 and
12 A. M., and 2 and 4 P. M.
Mr. Alfred Stieglitz, having just returned from Europe, has brought
with him a selection of color photographs made by Eduard J. Steichen,
Frank Eugene and himself.
They will demonstrate some of the possibilities of the remarkable
Lumière Autochrome Process, only recently perfected and placed upon the
French market. These pictures are the first of the kind to be shown in
America. You are invited to attend the exhibition.
Yours truly,
Alfred Stieglitz,
Director of the Photo-Secession ."
On the days designated the Secession rooms were crowded with the best
talent from the Press. One and all were amazed and delighted with what
was shown them. A few had seen pictures done in Lyons by the Lumières
themselves, and were not favorably impressed with them. Our early verdict
was unanimously upheld. Thus, color photography and its wonders were
set loose upon America. As I write, no plates are in the American market.
The agents expect them daily. The practical uses to which the process can
be put are really unlimited; the purely pictorial will eventually be but a side
issue. Nevertheless, the effect of these pictorial color photographs when up
to the Secession standards will be revolutionary, and not alone in photogra-
phic circles. Here then is another dream come true. And on the Kaiser
Wilhelm II I experienced the marvelous sensation within the space of an
hour of marconigraphing from mid-ocean; of listening to the Welte-Mignon
piano which reproduces automatically and perfectly the playing of any
pianist (I actually heard D’Albert, Paderewski, Essipoff, and others of equal
note while they were thousands of miles from the piano); and of looking at
those unbelievable color photographs! How easily we learn to live on
former visions! Alfred Stieglitz.