Stamp. France 1939. This stamp, issued to commemorate the centenary of photography, brings together three important figures in the history of photography. On the stamp, on the left is a portrait of Joseph Nicéphore Niépce (1765–1833), one of the pioneers of photography; on the right is a portrait of Louis M. Daguerre (1787–1851); and in the center is François Arago (1786–1853). François Arago is shown at the moment he announced the invention of photography to the French Academy of Sciences. This stamp symbolizes the milestones in the history of photography and honors the contributions of these pioneering individuals.
Joseph Nicéphore Niépce (1765–1833)
Joseph Nicéphore Niépce was the first person known to have taken a permanent photograph. In 1826–1827, he developed the heliography process, which required long exposure times but produced the first successful image. Niépce’s work laid the foundation for photography and paved the way for subsequent developments.
Louis M. Daguerre (1787–1851)
After Niépce’s death, Louis Daguerre improved upon his work and invented a more practical and faster photographic process known as the ‘daguerreotype.’ This technique was officially announced in France in 1839 and opened the way for the widespread adoption of photography. Daguerre’s invention greatly enhanced image quality and accessibility.
François Arago (1786–1853)
François Arago, a French physicist and politician, played a key role in introducing photography to the scientific community. In 1839, he announced the invention of photography at the French Academy of Sciences, emphasizing its importance and helping to promote its acceptance among the public. Arago’s support contributed to photography’s recognition in both science and the arts.
Stamp. Wallis Futuna 1983. This stamp, issued to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the death of Joseph Nicéphore Niépce (1765–1833), a pioneer of photographic history, serves as a tribute to the man who laid the foundations of modern visual culture. The stamp features both a portrait of Niépce and a graphic representation of his greatest achievement—the world’s first known permanent photograph. In 1826 or 1827, Niépce produced the first permanent image in photographic history with his work titled "View from the Window at Le Gras". He achieved this groundbreaking result using a process he invented called heliography. The image, captured with an eight-hour exposure, is now regarded as the birth of photographic technology. Niépce, also an inventor and scientist, later collaborated with Louis Daguerre, playing a crucial role in the further development of photography.
Stamp. Palau 2014. The souvenir sheet titled "Modern Art – Photography" brings the works of two influential American photographers of the 20th century into the philatelic realm: Dorothea Lange and Lewis W. Hine. Comprising three stamps, this miniature sheet holds special value for collectors—not only for its aesthetic merit but also for the profound social and historical context it reflects.At the top margin of the sheet is a reproduction of Dorothea Lange’s iconic 1936 photograph "Migrant Mother," taken in California during the Great Depression. This powerful image has become one of the most enduring symbols of the era. It captures not only the desperation of a mother struggling to survive but also the broader resilience of a society facing economic collapse.
Dorothea Lange (1895–1965): The Empathy of the Lens
Dorothea Lange is recognized as one of the most compelling voices in documentary photography. Her work for the Farm Security Administration (FSA) during the 1930s helped to define visual journalism and social realism in photography. Rather than simply documenting poverty, Lange used her camera to tell deeply human stories, offering an empathetic view into the lives of those affected by economic hardship.
Lewis W. Hine (1874–1940): Photography as Social Reform
The remaining stamps in the souvenir sheet feature the work of Lewis Wickes Hine, a trailblazing photographer who used his camera as a tool for social change. In the early 20th century, Hine conducted undercover photography in factories, mines, and textile mills, capturing images of child labor that shocked the public and spurred legislative reforms.
Hine is also known for his striking portraits of immigrants at Ellis Island, and for documenting the construction of the Empire State Building, showcasing laborers at dizzying heights. His photographs reveal both the nobility of work and the harsh realities of exploitation in industrial America.
— Published by The Stamp Times —
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