American Historical Ephemera & Photography

COLLINS, photographer. A quarter plate daguerreotype portrait of a woman wearing a bonnet and lace gloves, seated before a studio painted backdrop. [Philadelphia]: Collins, n.d. (Some spotting and clouding to image, spotting to mat; retains original seals.) Housed in a half leatherette case (heavy wear, separation to corners). Mat with applied gilt label bearing photographer's name and address. Paper label accompanying image identifies subject as, "Aunt Hannah Davis."-- Quarter plate daguerreotype portrait of an elderly woman wearing a bonnet and holding a pair of glasses on top of a book. (Very light spotting to plate, spotting to mat; resealed 1994.) Housed under mat, glass, and preserver only, no case. -- Sixth plate daguerreotype portrait of an older woman holding a book or cased image on her lap. (Tarnish to edges, some discoloration to mat; retains original seals.) Housed in a full pressed paper case (general wear). Paper label affixed to velvet pad identifies subject as "Ruth Ann Pricket Newkirk / Maden (sic) name." -- Ninth plate daguerreotype portrait of a middle-aged woman with curled hair wearing lightly-tinted clothing and gold-highlighted jewelry. (Light tarnishing around edges, oxidation to mat, cover glass broken upper right corner.) Housed in a gilt square fob-style case with velvet backing (surface wear to edges). -- And 15 others, including 3 quarter plate daguerreotypes, 9 sixth plate daguerreotypes, 2 sixth plate ambrotypes, and one ninth plate tintype. Housed variously, some without cases, some loose/unsealed. Cases in varying conditions including broken and with missing pieces. -- Together, 19 portraits of women.