From encyclopaedic project to editorial practice: the autochrome collection of the Árchives de la Planète´

Abstract

This paper pretends to inquire about the encyclopedic nature of the 'Archives de la planete'  (1908-1932), one  of  the  biggest Autochrome collections in  the  world. Indeed, its constitution appears to be more empirical than systematic. Furthermore, besides gathering  documentation of foreign countries,  this  project builds  up  the personal and national image of its founders.