Cronise Studio. The Art Perfected: Portraiture from the Cronise Studio by Susan K. Seyl. Portrait photos, Salem, Oregon.

Oregon Historical Society, 1980.  Signed by author Seyl K. Seyl. Illustrated wraps, fine.  First edition (reprinted in 2000), not issued in hardcover. 109 illustrations, 147 pages.  Superb examples of portraits from the Thomas Cronise studio in Salem, Oregon, 1880 to 1927, the year of Cronise’ death.  Cronise used an 11x14 studio camera for his work on which was a “birdie” to delight his sitters, who sometimes are captured in natural smiles. The Cronise archives of glass plate negatives is at the Oregon Historical Society and this volume was issued in connection with an exhibit there on December 18, 1980.  Includes biography of Cronise, whose sister introduced him to photography and who also had a gallery in Salem with her husband.  All the subjects of the photographs are identified in a list at the back of the book, in come cases with the person’s profession.  Uncommon signed.