INTRIGUING ¼ PLATE DAGUERROTYPE – FREDERIC CHAPMAN, AGE 4, ID’D WITH LOCK OF HAIR

$500.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1221-51

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The daguerreotype was the first commercially successful photographic process in the history of photography. Named after the inventor, Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre, each daguerreotype is a unique image on a silvered copper plate. It gained widespread popularity, especially for portraits, but was eventually replaced by more efficient and reproducible photographic processes like the wet collodion process.

This daguerreotype features a young male child, sporting shoulder-length hair and wearing a dress.  During the period of this photograph’s origin, it became somewhat accepted that a very young boy would wear loose fitting feminine clothing (such as dresses) and not age into trousers until a later age.  This was done for several reasons including an early Victorian attempt to preserve the innocence and early childhood of young boys, ease of toilet training, and it was simply more cost effective to provide garments (gowns and dresses) that had room to grow with the child (as opposed to form-fitting frocks, formal shirting, trousers, etc.).  The most interesting detail is found behind the image, tucked into the case: a penciled note reading “Frederic B. Chapman at the age of about 4 years” paired with a bound lock of Frederic’s hair.  The light brown hair is slightly curled, bound by a light thread, and is not overly dry or brittle.

The thermoplastic case depicts “Cupid and the Stag” and remains in very good condition.  A hairline crack is noted (but barely noticeable and very small) in the rear portion’s upper left corner. A burgundy velvet pad with a floral embossment fills the front portion of the case.  A gilt metallic frame with geometric patterning surrounds the photo and is stamped “C. M. HOWE, PORTLAND ME.” The copper and partial silvering and visible across the reverse along with older red paint backing. The image is held by a dark peach toned velvet case liner.  The case closes with complete brass hook and tab pieces and both case hinges are intact and untarnished. Overall case measurements are 3.95” x 4.9”.

Quite the rare and stirring image grouping.  The image is impressive in its own right, but the addition of the identification and lock of hair make it a prime candidate for any collection of Civil War era photography.  [cm] [ph:L]

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