Anonymous American Photographer

half-plate daguerreotype, hand-tinted, sealed, in a half case, circa 1850

This daguerreotype shows two well-fed gentlemen playing cards. Each is finely-dressed and regards the camera coolly, as if the daguerreotypist had intruded, mid-hand, into their game. The plate is in excellent condition. The white coats of both gentlemen are very slightly – and pleasingly – solarized. There is light rouge on the cheeks of the subjects, as well as some faint coloring on the tablecloth. The old or original seal appears to be intact. As is frequently seen in daguerreotypes which retain an original seal, some faint haze is visible on the underside of the cover glass. This does not affect the plate. There are two faint scratches in the in the face of the cover glass which are visible upon close examination.
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