Early Woman with Websters
SOLD March 2013 |
Dome-matted sixth plate daguerreotype circa 1845 showing an attractive woman, posed by stack of books that includes an edition of Webster's Dictionary. With light applied tinting in pink to cheeks and hair-ribbon, housed in full period case with worn spine.
The books beside the sitter, laterally reversed, bear the titles "Comstocks Philosophy" and "Websters Dictionary [University Edition]".
Noah Webster's "American Dictionary of the English Language," published in 1828 and enlarged in 1841/1844, was a seminal work in the history of American English. It was soon republished and revised in a variety of formats, including an authorized 1845 edition by Merriam, who purchased the rights to Webster's work in 1843. This is the first time I have seen an image with the dictionary, which played a crucial role in the codification of the American language but apparently was not popular in daguerreotypist's studios. Give or take a few years, this would one of the earliest photographs extant of any edition of Webster's book.
The image overall is clean and in good condition; there are a couple tiny black imperfections on the plate similar to copper spots alongside sitter's head and one in her hair.
