A GROUP OF 5 WOMEN AND 3 MEN
DAGUERREOTYPE $800. USD
This group of eight is intriguing. What united them?
Right off we see something highly unusual: the young man at left has his arm around two women. Mormon with two wives occurred to me, but it's more likely just a symbol of camaraderie. The man in the middle has his hand raised, resting on a woman's shoulder. The man at right wears a light colored or white suit with a patterned vest and pinstripe pants. All three men have carefully coiffed hair. One man is preening for the camera!
Four of the women wear an array of lace collars, and one wears an open v-neck collar. The women's dresses, although appearing somewhat monochromatic in this daguerreotype, are individualized. Three of the women wear fingerless gloves (also called mitts). Three of the women have curly hair and two have straight hair.
SIZE. Sixth plate.
HOUSING. Full case.
CONDITION. Modern seals (not by us). Blue oxidation at upper right. There are some tiny black dots in the middle area. A couple of these dots are on the woman between two men. When tilted and scrutinized, there are lots of light brown spots that are hardly discernible. A light vertical scratch. Other light scratches. Some tarnish at perimeter.
APPEARANCE. The woman furthest left and the man furthest right are the most 'soft.' Remember, it's difficult to daguerreotype a large group like this. Very good contrast. Lots of textures... really, sort of amazing! Nice posing and arrangement. Some great body language. A strong group portrait.