In 1904, the WAM became one of the first in the nation to exhibit photography as fine art. The Museum continued its innovative pioneering spirit in 1962, by beginning its permanent collection of photography. This ravishly illustrated book reproduces about 200 images, with brief information on each, written in a clear, accessible style, along with a complete checklist of the Museum's holdings of photographs. The book also recounts the history of the collection, and its influence in American photography.\nAside from a very strong survey of the development and history of photography in the US, the collection also includes impressive holdings of French, German, British and Soviet photography.