The Presence of Photography - December 1969. - Lot 242

The Presence of Photography - December 1969. Paris, Kodak-Pathé S.A., December 1969. Large in-4 format, illustrated brochure with a full-color dust jacket. A rare promotional publication produced by Kodak-Pathé in the late 1960s to support the widespread adoption of color photography and to present the historical, technical, and cultural evolution of the medium. The book is divided into three main sections: Photography as a Social Phenomenon, The Inventors, and Photography as a Tool for Progress. Richly illustrated with reproductions of historical and contemporary works, it serves as a remarkable testament to how the photography industry at the time sought to present photography as an artistic, scientific, and sociological phenomenon. The cover features a reproduction of the famous first color photograph taken in 1869 by Louis Ducos du Hauron, commemorating the centennial of this invention. The reproductions include works by both 19th-century pioneers and leading modern photographers. This copy is accompanied by its original mailing: a typewritten letter from Kodak-Pathé S.A., dated 1969, addressed to Mr. Harfaux, requesting his assistance with a survey of users of Kodak photographic equipment. This document, rarely preserved with the brochure, provides insight into Kodak’s commercial policy and market research at that time. Condition: copy in fair condition. Cover shows some scuffing, small creases, and slight wear on the edges and corners. Interior is clean and well-preserved. Loose letter included.