ABSTRACT
Even though Lucas does persist in offering somewhat dual existence, it is apparent that the first use of the daguerreotype in Sydney can be considered as the farthest diffusion of the daguerreotype from France, comparable to the earlier and shorter stages to London and New York. No doubt daguerreotype apparatus would have been taken on the voyage anyway for Daguerre's invention was causing great excitement in France especially during the two months before L'Oriental sailed. It would seem almost certain that the Captain Lucas who brought the daguerreotype to Australia, was the leader of the marine school expedition of L'Oriental that left France at the beginning of October 1839. Thus after the daguerreotype apparatus was placed on sale in Sydney the Justine sailed from Sydney on 4 June to recross the Pacific to Valparaiso yet again. The most recent opinion amongst photographic historians in Australia has been that Captain Lucas who brought the daguerreotype to Australia was an English captain.
