American Historical Ephemera & Photography

Sixth plate daguerreotype. (A few spots, some tarnishing to perimeter.) Housed in half pressed paper case (wear to extremities). The subject looks directly at the camera while playing a guitar against a painted backdrop.

[With:] Sixth plate daguerreotype. (Tarnishing to perimeter.) Housed in half leatherette case (with mis-matched lid, wear to extremities). Joined by a second figure in this portrait, the same subject plays guitar against the same painted backdrop. 

Possibly two of the earliest daguerreotypes taken in New Orleans. Note the monument painted on the studio backdrop of each daguerreotype features a classical gazebo (bearing a resemblance to the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens), which suggests that the daguerreotypist that produced both portraits was classically trained as a painter. The pair of daguerreotypes were found together in New Orleans by the consignor.