Marius Peladeau will present a slide show and commentary about American photographer and Kingfield native, Chansonetta Stanley Emmons, sister of Francis and Freelon Stanley, inventors of the Stanley Steamer, and also about dry plate photography, in Lewiston. A photograph portrait of Chansonetta is at her brothers’ studio in Lewiston. The event is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, June 18, at Farmington Grange in West Farmington.

Chansonetta was born in Kingfield in 1858. Her work is presented in a book, “Chansonetta: The Life and Photographs of Chansonetta Stanley Emmons, 1858-1937,” by Peladeau, first published in 1977, with an introduction by American photographer, Berenice Abbot. At the time of this book’s printing, Farmington authors and historians, Ben and Nat Butler, brought to the attention of Marius and his wife, Mildred, a collection of colored lantern slides from the basement of Farmington’s Cutler Library. The only colored ones by Chansonetta known to exist. Through the aid of D. Richard Sturges, the slides were professionally copied and made available for viewing. Peladeau believes his presentation represents the photographs Chansonetta would have chosen as her best, according to a news release from the Grange.

A question-and-answer session will follow. Refreshments will be served and donations will be accepted.


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