I collect photographs dating from the 1840s to the 1940s. I am drawn to these images as irreplaceable and almost magical glimpses into our collective history, time capsules of past moments preserved only on fragile glass and paper. These are not for sale. I’ve digitally imaged them here to increase the chance of their survival and to share them with others who may enjoy them as well. I’m not an expert, but I’ve identified people, places, and ages of the images to the best of my ability based on occasional notes on the backs, paper and printing, and on the contents of the images.
- Robert Beauford
1840 to 1850 Photographs
Cased 1/6 plate (3 1/4" x 2 5/8") daguerreotype photograph of a very sharply dressed young man sporting a stylish pompadour and cravat, dating from about 1847. The photograph is displayed in a textured brass mat with a course, pebble-like surface and beveled edge around a nonpariel cutout. The mat is held to the daguerreotype by a brass 'preserver' (the outer metal bezel / rim) decorated with a simple linear design. Preservers are not used before 1847, and become more ornate with time, while heavily textured mats like this are not typical after 1847. The image and its frame are held within an embossed leather and wood case with a gold colored embossed velvet case liner. The bold texture of the brass mat, combined with the simplicity of the decoration on the preserver, suggests a date of origin close to but not before 1847, perhaps between about 1847 and 1850.
I built this graphic to help you understand the language used to describe the photographs on this page.