Daguerreotype from Cameron family fonds – taken by Eli Palmer c1850
Toronto. Eli Palmer was a Canadian photographer who created many Daguerreotype portraits.A Wikipedia article here covers a broad range of Canadian photographers including one very very brief mention of Palmer.
Our late editor, Bob Lansdale introduces the research into Mr Palmer as spanning two journal issues (36-2 and 36-4). Bob states, “Beginning on page 6 [36-2] we commence our feature article tracing the history of photographer Eli J. Palmer who arrived in Toronto as a Daguerreian artist in 1849. Ryerson [now called TMU] Photo Arts student Alana West, completing the Photographic Preservation course, has pulled together facts and illustrations for an essay on this early Canadian photographer who remained in business until 1878.
“Palmer quickly rose to prominence and was noted in 1850 as one of the fifty most prominent men in Toronto. Leading social personalities and politicians came to his studio to have their images recorded for history. We have enough material to continue the story in Part Two which will be published in our next issue of December [actually in the 36-4 issue, not 36-3].
The detailed and well researched articles on Palmer in issues 36-2 (by Alana West) and 36-4 (Robert Lansdale and Graham Garrett) were mailed to the members back then – or if members joined more recently, on their DVD (covers Photographic Canadiana volumes 1 – 40). What? Not a member? It’s a snap – just follow the steps to the right, or view the MEMBERSHIP menu item above.
