After Marilyn's article covering the sale of the oldest camera in the world,
here is an article about the discovery of the oldest darkroom in the world.
Sorry folks, it's "en français", since nobody in the english media cared to
pick it up.
http://www.lejsl.com/actu/setl/20070529.JSA0343.html
The darkroom was owned by Joseph Fortuné Petiot-Groffier who died in 1855.
The lab was left untouched by children, grand-children,... after his death
until today when a great-great... decided to open the doors to the director
of la Maison Nicéphore Niepce in Chalon-sur-Saone in France. The lab was
full of ancient chemicals (many still in sealed containers), photo
equipment, and over 400 books dating prior to 1830 covering the full
knowledge on photography as of that time. It will be recreated at the
Maison Nicéphore Niepce.
A must see when it opens.
Guy
