American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Half plate portrait of a couple, identified as William Henry Talmage and Isabella Williamson Carothers Talmage, ca 1853. (Tarnishing to edges, heavy spotting throughout, oxidation to mat and preserver; unsealed.) Housed in a half pressed paper case. Cloth label attached to case identifies the subjects as the Talmages, who according to the New York Marriage Index, were married in 1853, the same year this image is purported to have been taken. The woman wears a jewel-embellished crucifix necklace and drop earrings. -- Quarter plate group portrait of five women, tentatively identified as the "Chitter girls," some with jewel-embellished brooches and earrings. (Tarnishing to edges, some clouding and spotting throughout image; resealed.) Housed in a pressed paper case. Loose modern paper label identifies the group: "The Chitter girls. / Grandma Moore upper left. / Emma Durbin Knapp." -- And 14 others, all sixth plate examples, many without full cases. -- Together, 16 daguerreotype portraits of women wearing jewel embellished accessories.