American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Sixth plate daguerreotype portrait of a young girl resting her head on the rail of a velvet chair, her hair pulled back in a headband. (Tarnishing along edge, some scratches and light wiping; re-glazed & resealed 2020.) Mat stamped "WHITNEY." Housed in a leatherette case, Girl Throwing Flowers [Berg 4-46]. -- Sixth plate daguerreotype portrait of the younger appearing girl shown resting her head on a fur hand muff or some other object atop a table next to her. (Light tarnishing along edges, some spotting wiping; re-glazed & resealed 2001.) Housed in a leatherette case with bird's nest design. -- Together, 2 sixth plate portraits of the same young girl, a year or so apart.

Edward Tompkins Whitney (1820-1893) is distinguished for being the first to have an exhibit of daguerreotypes in the United States, showing his work at a state fair in Syracuse. He operated for many years  in Rochester, NY, working first in partnership with Thomas Mercer, and later establishing his own gallery. During the Civil War, Whitney worked for Mathew Brady, capturing scenes from battle to create a visual record of the an important conflict, like had never been possible before. Whitney continued working as a photographer until nearly the end of his life.