GALLERY

One daguerreotype features the 4 Andrews sisters. The other features all 7 Andrews siblings (4 sisters and 3 brothers), and came with a note that identifies them with a visual chart of their poses. The names on the note: Samuel Andrews, E.J. Andrews, Thomas Andrews, Sarah Andrews Bassett, Sophia Andrews, Julia Andrews, Kate Andrews. On the note, the numbers have been switched for Sophia and Kate.

This information is corroborated on the Find-A-Grave website, as it lists the names of the siblings. The site has the following biography of Samuel Andrews: "Gen. Samuel Andrews was a Brigadier-General, commanding 1st Brigade Massachusetts volunteer Militia in the Civil War. He was a lawyer, Collector of Customs for the Port of Boston and on the finance committee of the New England Genealogical Society. His ceremonial sword is has been used to cut many wedding cakes of his descendants."

The daguerreotypes are in the style of John Whipple, and a strong consensus would attribute these to his studio. We see the shiny knobs of the table legs in the center... this table appears in other daguerreotype group portraits by Whipple. The low table that appears at lower left also shows up in other daguerreotypes by Whipple, but without the cushion on top. Also note the blank wall background, the formal and yet somewhat theatrical posing, the mix of angles including profiles, and the placement of open books and assorted papers as if casually put there.

SIZE. Each is half plate.

HOUSING. Each is in a full case with wear. Each case has black tape at the spine.

CONDITION. The daguerreotype of the four sisters is in very good condition with light 'mold spiders.' The daguerreotype of the three brothers and four sisters has a couple larger and more obvious 'mold spiders.' The term 'mold spiders' is a misnomer, as they're actually glass deposits from deteriorating glass. The deteriorating glass was removed from each and replaced with hand-cut, high quality, borosilicate glass by Derek French. Each is resealed.

APPEARANCE. Each has rich tones. Each has artistic, outstanding posing. Each has strong composition.

WHIPPLE. "John Adams Whipple (September 10, 1822 – April 10, 1891) was an American inventor and early photographer. He was the first in the United States to manufacture the chemicals used for daguerreotypes. He pioneered astronomical and night photography. He was a prize-winner for his extraordinary early photographs of the moon and he was the first to produce images of stars other than the sun. (source: Wikipedia)

"An innovative member of photography's first generation, Whipple attempted his first daguerreotype in the winter of 1840, 'using a sun-glass for a lens, a candle box for a camera, and the handle of a silver spoon as a substitute for a plate.' He experimented widely with the photographic process. With his partner, James Wallace Black, he developed the process for making paper prints from glass negatives (crystalotypes). His photographs of the moon and planets, made as early as 1848, were among the first to be taken of these subjects. (source: American Photographs: The First Century, by Merry A. Foresta, National Museum of American Art in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution Press)