History of Photography. A Child’s Garden of Photography by Allan Porter.

Wraps, near fine with minor evidence of wear on extremities, has not been fully opened.  84 pages. Also issued as an unusual issue of Camera magazine (Switzerland) 1979, No. 12, with two pages per page that could be cut up and made into a small book.  The book offered here is with the same contents but already made into a perfect bound volume published in a limited number of copies.  It was intended as an introduction to the history of photography for children, with examples of photographs by mostly well known photographers, including some infrequently seen images. Photographers: John A. Whipple, William Henry Fox Talbot, Southworth and Hawes, Frederick Langenheim, Roger Fenton, Eugene Atget, Karl Blossfeldt, Lewis Hine, Darius Kinsey, Edward Weston, Brett Weston, Mark Power, Ansel Adams, Wynn Bullock, Josef Koudelka, Ralph Gibson, Berenice Abbott, Man Ray, Jim Bengston, Mark Cohen, Robert Frank, Bill Brandt, Andreas Feininger, Aaron Siskind, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Lisette Model, Harold Edgerton, et al. Includes one photo by Allan Porter, the editor of Camera whose own photographs were infrequently published. Business card of Allan Porter laid in. Uncommon. Summary:

A Child’s Garden of Photography by Allan Porter is a uniquely conceived visual introduction to the history of photography presented in a way that’s accessible and engaging — almost like a primer designed with younger readers in mind.

📷 What the Book Is

Originally published as a special issue of Camera magazine in 1979 and later issued in a bound format, this 84-page volume was intended as a quaint but comprehensive introduction to the history of photography as it might be presented to a child.

📖 Content and Approach

• Historical Overview: The book surveys the development of photography from its earliest practitioners to influential 20th-century figures. Instead of dense academic text, it pairs key images with concise, approachable commentary that helps readers understand both technical and artistic milestones.

• Illustrations: Mostly illustrated in black and white (with some color elements), the book includes examples from a wide range of photographers — from early pioneers like William Henry Fox Talbot to modern masters such as Ansel Adams, Diane Arbus, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Josef Koudelka — giving a broad view of how the medium grew and diversified.

• Child-Friendly Design: The layout and tone are intentionally inviting: the issue could even be cut apart and reassembled as a small printed book. This playful design emphasizes visual discovery and makes complex historical narrative feel accessible to readers without formal photography training.

🧠 Why It Matters

Rather than serving as a strict textbook, A Child’s Garden of Photography is an imaginative, image-rich narrative that opens the door to the story of photography’s evolution. By framing the history through compelling photographs and a gentle introductory voice, Porter invites readers — including younger or novice audiences — to see photography as both art and cultural history.

In essence, the book is part history lesson, part visual anthology, and part playful exploration designed to nurture appreciation for photography’s rich legacy.