Recherches sur la peinture en émail dans l'antiquité et au moyen âge

the long version

"This is a rare example of Lemercier's first photolithographic method, first revealed in 1852. This process, created along with Davanne, Bareswil [sic.] and Lerebours, utilized a sensitized asphaltum which was hardened by light. Very few prints are known to exist using this method during the 1850's. Generally it has been supposed that Lemerecier [sic.] didn't attempt to commercialize the process, but this plate gives clear indication that many more are yet to be found. Lemercier gave up this process when he purchased the rights in 1857 to Poitevin's system that used potassium dichromate and albumen because it was soluble in water. If one compares the chromolithographs here to the Bedford...[in this collection] (1856:7) one can quickly see the photographic qualities referred to."--Hanson Collection catalog, p. 16.