Artist: (PHOTOGRAPHER'S DISPLAY)

Title: A 19th-century photographer's studio frame with 8 cased images, including 3 daguerreotypes.

Description: The frame includes 2 half-plates, a tintype of a musician in his uniform with red and gold highlights and an ambrotype of two men in uniform with gold details. The remaining 6 sixth-plates are all portraits, including 3 daguerreotypes, two ambrotypes, and one tintype, nearly all with applied color detail. The wooden frame measuring 19x15 inches (48.3x38.1 cm.). 1850-60s

Provenance: The Estate of Richard T. Rosenthal, Philadelphia

This wooden period frame evidences the expected light wear to the edges, including tiny scratches and rubs. The backings have been opened and each of the cased images removed and unsealed.

The images themselves also evidence the typical imperfections associated with these early photographic processes, though overall this is not distracting. The daguerreotype placed in the center evidences hazing, and at the one at the lower center also a bit of a haze at the edges as well as slight weeping. The daguerreotype at the lower right corner is tarnished at the edges. The tintype at the lower left corner shows tiny cracks to the emulsion. The two larger plates have overall retained strength throughout, though the image of the figure with his brass instrument has been resealed (visible in our catalogue image).

Overall a fun period piece demonstrating a photographer's display mode.


For inquiries or questions, please contact:
Deborah Rogal, Director: drogal@swanngalleries.com or ext. 55
Alice Le Campion: alecampion@swanngalleries.com or ext. 66
Bridget Fay: bfay@swanngalleries.com or ext. 64