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DAGUERREOTYPE OF MAN WEARING CA GOLD MINERS SHIRT c1852
Old sixth plate (2.75 x 3.25”) daguerreotype photograph of an apparent California “Forty-Niner”—GOLD MINER—with an inset tintype (1 x ¾”) of his wife or girlfriend. He wears the typical miner’s shirt often seen in other daguerreotype photographs of California gold miners. The two ends of his folded scarf necktie-cravat is tucked into his shirt. A patterned handkerchief is tucked into a side-slit-pocket on his shirt. His woolen-type undershirt is visible beneath the miner’s shirt on both his forearms. He rests one arm on books stacked on a table covered with a patterned tablecloth. The sharp exposure of this image partially captures the black rectangular PHOTOGRAPHER’S CAMERA IN THE PUPILS OF THE MINER’S EYES.
Perhaps the most interesting visual information recorded in this daguerreotype is the sitter’s WORK-WORN FINGERS (see the bottom scans of enlarged detail below), which probably show the effects of recent heavy mining labor with pick & shovel. Many “gold rush” daguerreotypes that have men posing with picks & shovels were taken in eastern studios and not in California. The visual evidence in this image implies that this man was a real miner and the daguerreotype is likely taken in a studio close to his work.
The small tintype inserted between the cover glass & brass mat shows an attractive woman wearing fancy earrings and matching brooch, and a necklace that almost looks like a coin(?). The tintype appears to be a slightly-later period (1860s?) copy of a daguerreotype or ambrotype with an elaborate mat. The picture of this tintype in the scan below is taken through the daguerreotype’s cover glass, and old particles of dirt & debris somewhat obscure the woman’s face. The tintype is STUCK TO the glass (whether by age or by some sort of old glue is unknown) but appears to be easily removed if one is so inclined.
CONDITION: The daguerreotype is visually quite nice as the top photos in the scan below clearly show. There are however, a number of scratches of varying sizes running into the image horizontally from the right edge—the worst ones are just above and below the button on his shirtfront (see scan). Also, if turned around in direct light, one can easily see that the image has been LIGHTLY RUBBED across about its entire surface. One photo of the uncased image in the scan below has been side-lit to show most of these otherwise not particularly intrusive ABRASIONS. The image has long ago lost its original seal (probably to add the tintype). One side of the brass preserver has broken loose but is still present & clasping its side of the photo to the mat & glass. The image is housed in a full case with its original hinge still in good condition.
This is a rather rare and historic California Gold Rush image with some visual power.
Buyer pays $5.00 postage & handling in US, plus USPS insurance.
VA residents add 5% sales tax to selling price.
Price= $750.00
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