The Philadelphia photographer

Levy's activity in the United States can be documented in one of the most prestigious magazines about photography in the XIX century:

The Philadelphia Photographer
An illustrated monthy journal
Devoted to photography
Edited by Edward L. Wilson Publisher and propietor
Nos 912&914 Chestnut Street

Check online these in the Boston Public Library and archive.org 

https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S75C1679149

We can read, in several publications of this magazine, the participation of Albert Levy in the Centennial Exhibition of Philadelphia in 1876, adversitements for selling pictures, and, more important, serveral articles about the French Emulsion, the Dry plates. As said before, Levy was an early competitor of Eastman for the comercialization of the dry plates. This invention helped much in the development and expansion of photography.

All data onwards in this section has been gathered thanks to the digitalization of the magazine, done by the Boston Public Library. It allows embeding copies of the magazine. Hereby, there is a short explanition of each reference, but we strongly recommend to fully read each of the vintage articles.

All this information demonstrates Albert Levy's activity in the United States, and the recognition achived as a photographer in the United States XIX century.

Note: most references may be wrong regarding the number of the issue as there are several issues in each pdf/iframe. You may "search" inside the pdf/iframe and look for "Albert Levy. 

• Reference 1
  • Philadelphia Photographer August 1876 vol XIII nº 152
  • There are comments on the photographers that participated in The Centennial International Exhibition of 1876, held in Philadelphia.
  • ....Photography in the Great Exhibition. Photographic Hall as it becomes more and more complete, grows in beauty and atractiveness..........
    ....The second exhibit on this screen is a collection of architecturial views by Mr Albert Levy,77 University Place, New York, two frames being marked as "United States" and the third "Europe"
  • Download pdf pag 228

   

• Reference 2
  • Philadelphia Photographer May 1878 vol XV nº 173
  • There is a long article explaining the benefits of Albert Levy's dry plates, at least one year before George Eastman's patent (1879 - Eastman invented an emulsion-coating machine which enabled him to mass-produce photographic dry plates. (Kodak)).

  • Levy's French Photographic emulsion

    A great deal of interest prevails in the growth ot the emulsion process, and the practical photographer is waiting patiently until some one develops a method for working emulsion sufficiently certain reliable and speedy, to warrants its introduction into every day practice, or, in common parlance, that will be "as good as wet"
    A number claim to have yet been found have done so fully.
    There is one gentlemean, however, Mr. Albert Levy of New York, to whom much credit is due for having made great progress with emulsion, and who, so far as we know, more progress than everyone else.
    He has simplified the manipulation so much as easy as the "wet process"
    ... Dry plates, far more than wet, are disposed to loosen on the edges and lift from the glass to obviate all possible danger of such an occurrance, the use of an ending prepared and for sale by Mr. Levy is recommended.

  • Download pdf pag 148

   

• Reference 3
  • The Philadelphia Photographer Vol XV November 1878 nº 179
  • Publicity of the Dry Plates in a letter form. Dated 14th June, 1878. The text praising Levy's dry plates is signed by H.W. Wickham, which residence is in New York.
  • ..........I purchased of Mr. Albert Levy one dozen of his Dry Plates on trial and the result so much exceeded my expectations that  I really began to think that I was a photographer
  • Download pdf pag 322

   

• Reference 4:
  • The Philadelphia Photograph Vol XV December 1878 nº 180
  • Advertisement of the French Emulsion where Levy indicates that he is the sole propietor and that the plate carries his signature.
  • Unequalled for rapidity ( fully equal to the both plate) intensity to any degree on simple developement without silver or other intensifier and absolutely permanent and without change.
    Albert Levy sole propietor
    Preservative for dry plates ( more rapid than wet). Also prepared Dry Plates ready for use and photographic chemicals at lowest market prices always on hand.
    Price list on application
    N.B. All dry plates made with my emulsion bear my signature
  • Download pdf pag 366

  
  

• Reference 5
  • The Philadelphia Photographer Vol XV August 1878 nº 176
  • In a long letter by Albert Levy he gives intructions on how to work with his product.
  • Levy’s emulsion plates
    A letter from
     Mr.Levy
    ......A great trouble with emulsions having always been found in their liability to lift partly or fully from the plate,especially after the fixing , I manufactured an improved edging fluid, which is now largely used and pronounced invaluable
    ..........I am glad to be able to say that with my emulsion dry plates,as made by me or by others with my emulsion and preservative, well lighted views can be taken  with an ordinary Darlot lens....
  • Download pdf pag 246
    
    

   

   

• Reference 6
  • An advertisement of his views of architecture.
  • For sale very cheap.  A splendic collection of about twelve hundred negatives of architectural views from Europe and the United States Size 8x10. Adress : A. Levy 4 Bond Street New York
  • Download pdf pag 64

   

• Reference 7
  • The Philadelphia Photographer Vol XVI  October 1879  nº 190
  • A long article about cyanotipes titled "Printing in blue".
  • .....Mr. Albert Levy of New York, Mr T.H. McCollin ,of this city, and in fact all dealers, we believe, supply the paper already sensitized, and for experiment, perhaps, that is the best way to get it....
  • Download pdf pag 310

   

• Reference 8:
  • The Philadelphia Photogapher Vol. XVI February 1879 nº 182
  • Mr. Albert Levy 77 University Place New York receives a very flattering testimonial to the qualities of his emulsion from the British Journal, in wich the editor says it futfils satisfactorily the requirements of an emulsion . The two negatives we obtained through its agency posses all the features wich we usually secure when makin use of a good sample of washed emulsion
  • Download pdf pag 62
  • In this pdf, also in the "editor's" table we can read:

    • Levy's Emulsion Dry-Plate Camera. — Mr. Albert Levy, 77 University Place, New York, so well known in connection with his emulsion and emulsion plates, quick to see the needs of the fraternity, has already placed in the market a unique little camera for dry plates, to serve the purpose of the '' Stereographe," described in our last number, and offers camera and lens for $12, for plates 4x5 inches. For this sum a half dozen plates, developer, pyro, and hypo, are included, with full instructions for working the same. Mr. Levy has thus doubtless met a real want

   

• Reference 9:
  • A curious advertisement of Levy looking for an assistant.
  • Wanted
    An operator with a steady hand to flow emulsion on dry plates. Adress A. Levy 77 University Place. N. Y.
  • Download pdf pag 352

   

• Reference 10
  • The Philadelphia Photographer Vol XV July 1878 nº 175
  • We have just received of Mr. Albert Levy of 77 University Place New York a four page circular containing full particulars as to the use of his emulsion and dry plates. He also describes a number of other useful articles which his manufactures has for sale.
  • Download pdf pag 224

   

• Reference 11
  • Philadelphia Photographer Vol XV nº179 Noviembre 1978
  • Editor’s table
    Pictures received.....From Mr. Albert Levy  New York, some instantaneous marine views from his emulsion plates. Really surprising they are.
  • Download pdf pag 382

   

• Reference 12
  • The Philadelphia Photographer Vol XV August 1878 nº 176
  • Editors Table
    ....From Mr. Albert Levy nº 77 University Place, New York, some instantaneous views made with his improved rapid working emulsion , views of animals steamboats on their rapid course and yachts flying before the breeze. This is a wonderful advance in photography, for not only is the general character the view secured, but even the smallest details are brought out with perfect distinctness , the ripples of the water, the white foam dashed up by the wheel of the steamer , and the reflection of the boat in the glittering waves.
  • Download pdf pag 256

   

• Reference 13
  • The Philadelphia Photographer March 1879 nº 183
  • Editor’s table
     Levy’s  Emulsion Dry Plate Camera
    Mr. Albert Levy 77 University Place New York so well kown in connection with with his emulsion and emulsion plates  quick to see the needs of the fraternity , has already placed in the market a unique litte camera for dry plates , to serve the purpose of the “Stereographe” , described in our last number, and offers camera and lens for $12 , for plates 4x5 inches. For this sum a half of dozen plates, developer, pyro, and hypo, are included, with full instructions for working the same. Mr. Levy has thus doubtless met a real want
  • Download pdf pag 94