A forgotten episode of the $\eta ~Car$ light curve in 1860-1865

We have found previously unreported observations of the galactic Luminous Blue Variable $\eta ~Car$ covering the period 1860-1865. Contrary to the current belief, these data suggest that the star reached the first magnitude in 1860-1862, with possible large luminosity fluctuations, followed by a steep fading in 1865. A revised historical light curve of this most interesting object is given. Paper in press in Astronomy and Astrophysics.