Seven 19th Century Ambrotypes and Daguerreotypes

A collection of seven 19th Century ambrotypes and daguerreotypes of an unidentified group, possibly family members. Though undated, the images were likely taken around the 1850s to 1860s, based on the type of photography methods used. Includes:

1. Sixteenth Plate Ambrotype. Measuring 1.375" x 1.625", No place, undated. A bust portrait of a young girl, dressed in civilian clothes. Housed in a cloth-covered case.

2. Sixth Plate Daguerreotype. Measuring 2.75" x 3.25", No place, undated. A portrait of a seated middle-aged woman, photographed with her arm resting upon a table. No maker's information. Housed in a cloth-covered case, missing the front cover.

3. Sixth Plate Daguerreotype. Measuring 2.75" x 3.25", No place, undated. A portrait of three seated children, one boy and two girls. No maker's information. Housed in a cloth-covered case.

4. Sixth Plate Ambrotype. Measuring 2.75" x 3.25", No place, undated. A portrait of an elderly woman. No maker's information. Housed in a cloth-covered case, missing the front cover.

5. Sixth Plate Daguerreotype. Measuring 2.75" x 3.25", No place, undated. A portrait of a young man, misattributed as Andrew Jackson. No maker's information. Housed in a cloth-covered case, missing the front cover.

6. Sixth Plate Ambrotype. Measuring 2.75" x 3.25", No place, undated. A portrait of a seated young woman, photographed with her arm resting upon a table. No maker's information. Housed in a cloth-covered case.

7. Sixth Plate Ambrotype. Measuring 2.75" x 3.25", No place, undated. A portrait of an elderly couple, seated, identified as "J.B.T.M" and "Eliza Marsh". No maker's information. Housed in a cloth-covered case.

Other identification slips accompany the images but are not kept with a particular image. These read, "Mr & Mrs James Benedict", "Parley's Cousin - Sybil Goodrich Marsh", and "A.O.M." All with light wear and spotting, some with further silvering and toning. General wear and patina to the gold frames and cases. Overall, very good.

The difference between the two examples of early photography included in this lot is that while a daguerreotype produced a positive image seen under glass, ambrotypes produced a negative image that became visible when the glass was backed by black material. An easy way to tell the difference between the two types is to remember that daguerreotypes are backed by silver, while ambrotypes are backed by a piece of glass painted black. The daguerreotype also appears to be on a mirror, so when viewing it at an angle the dark areas are silver. For an ambrotype, the dark areas remain dark even at an angle.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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