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Press Release
Press Release · Monday, December 13, 1999

Press Release
December 13, 1999
January Public Programs at the National Archives

Washington, DC . . . In January, the National Archives and Records Administration presents two lectures and booksignings relating to photographic fakery and Augustus Washington, an early African American photographer.

The programs are free and open to the public and will take place at the National Archives Building, Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets, NW. The public may verify times and dates by calling the National Archives public events line at (202) 501-5000. TDD users may call (202) 501-5404.

Tuesday, January 18-Picturing the Century series
From the earliest days of the art form, when multiple exposures provided "evidence" of the spirit world, to today's computer-enhanced digital doctoring, photography has been fertile ground for fakery. Photo Fakery is the first book on the history of all types of photographic fakery and manipulation and shows how to detect these increasingly common practices. Dino Brugioni, formerly one of the CIA's senior photo interpreters, presents hundreds of photographs that were contrived or altered, often succeeding greatly in their fakery by playing a part in history. Noon. Room 105. Reservations are recommended; call 202-208-7345.

Wednesday, January 19-African American History
Augustus Washington (1820/21-1875) is one of only a handful of early African American photographers whose work has been identified and collected and whose career has been documented. Ann Shumard traces Washington's career as a daguerreotypist in Hartford, CT, and later as one of the first resident photographers in West Africa. Ann Shumard will also examine both his personal history as a free person of color in antebellum America and the factors that inspired his immigration to Liberia in 1853. Ann Shumard is assistant curator of photographs at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery and curator of the recent exhibition A Durable Memento: Portraits by Augustus Washington, African American Daguerreotypist. The audience may view the Circular Gallery exhibit, "Picturing the Century: One Hundred Years of Photography from the National Archives," immediate following today's lecture. Noon. Room 105.

For additional PRESS information, please contact the National Archives Public Affairs staff at (301) 837-1700 or by e-mail.

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