Camera by which the most important photographs from the history of the Romanians were taken

With this camera were taken the famous photographs that render the atmosphere of the Great National Assembly from 1 December 1918, when in Alba Iulia was taken the historical decision of uniting Transylvania, Banat, Crişana and Maramureş with Romania. This moment is the basis of the decision, taken in 1990, after the fall of the communist regime, that the national day of Romania to be celebrated in 1 December. The five photograps were taken by Samoilă Mârza, subsequently surnamed Union’s photographer. Interesting is that the bellows camera had been purchased by Samoilă Mârza, after he sold a yoke of oxen. Also, the heavy photographing equipment and bad weather conditions impeded him to take more than five pictures, on 1 December 1918. Nowadays this camera is part from the exhibitiory collection of the National Museum of Unification from Alba Iulia, being put on display, in a place of honour in the Union’s Hall. The museum from Alba Iulia obtained possession of the camera and the five negatives on glass in 1967. Then, Samoilă Mârza sold them to the museum, and with those money he bought a modern camera. He hoped to take pictures with it at the semicentenary from 1968, celebrating 50 years from the Great Union. Unfortunately, he did not succeed as he died on 19 December 1967. The importance of the photographs taken by Samoilă Mârza in Alba Iulia on 1 December 1918 is crucial. These photographs were used by the Romanian delegation at the Peace Conference from Versailles, so that the allies to notice clearly the popular support that the event from Alba Iulia enjoyed. We can affirm that they influenced the decision of the Great Powers in acknowledging the Great Union.

©National Museum of Union Alba Iulia