Fascinating collection, if you ever cross the pond I will try to set a meeting with Peter Stubbs the designer of the link that I posted to Edinphoto, he has an impressive collection of very old photos and engravings dating back to the mid 1800s. many of which are in excellent condition. IMO one of the most interesting things for me is that the images are very detailed and sharp, moreover they were shot with what is essentially a large wooden box (and I complain about the DSLR weight ) with little more than a piece of glass on the front. Many of the shots were processed there and then in a mobile horse drawn carriage, because as I understand it, the film of the time had to be processed immediately.

The Truth is Out There