This unusually large photograph is a very fine daguerreotype of an 1850's era couple who are identified as "Wm. Mcides (sic) & Wife / Grandparents".  The ID is taken from a handwritten small slip of paper found on the backside of the plate. Not an especially attractive pair, the man and his wife are seated against a plain backdrop, in a 3/4 length view. The lady appears to be in her fifties and sits with her hands crossed upon her lap and looks plaintively to the camera. She wears a dark dress with slightly puffed sleeves cuffed at the wrists and pleated at the waist. Her dark hair, which is center parted and typical for the Civil War period, is covered with a thin, white laced headdress that is tied with a bow below her chin. The gentleman sits to her left and peers at the camera intently, almost with a scowl. He wears a light colored shirt and tied about his neck is a dark, thin bow tie. A six button, satin or silk vest with lapels covers the shirt while a dark, plain frock coat, open at the waist and dark trousers finishes his attire. The man sports a full head of light gray or white hair and appears to be in his early sixties. Portions of the woman's headdress and the man's shirt both exhibit light blue highlights.

The image, with its polished silver coating on a copper plate, is remarkably clear and strong with just a tiny hint of oxidation appearing at the extreme right and left edge of the oval opening in the metal mat. A maker's stamp of "Whipples Patent" appears at the bottom corners of the mat. Some tiny spots of flaking appear on the mat surface. An original, excellent condition daguerreotype, it measures 4¼" wide x 5½" high and is framed with an unadorned brass mat and a thin mat protector, all covered with a piece of period glass which is clear and unblemished. Entire daguerreotype assembly is housed in a drop-in compartment within a large, 8" high x 7" wide, gutta percha frame that exhibits ornate scrolled corners and decorative edging along its outer perimeter. Handwritten on the frame's inner paper liner are the words "This frame was bought in Knoxville, Tennessee by Joseph Hardin Walker in 1862."

No research has been performed as yet on Walker or the couple in the image. Frame is strong and tight. This large, half-plate size daguerreotype of identified grandparents is a fine collectible and would make a wonderful addition to any Civil War or personal photo collection.

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