Perhaps by Whipple
SOLD November 2014 |
Exceptional ninth plate daguerreotype showing a man, perhaps with clerical collar, in detailed and slightly vignetted pose. Housed in half of an oval mother-of-pearl case. With old inscription on reverse of plate giving a date and possibly identifying image as the work of John Adams Whipple.
This exceptional image with bright white backdrop and partial vignetting visible towards bottom is a classic of what is often referred to as "Boston School" daguerreotypes. An attribution to either Southworth and Hawes or John Adams Whipple would hardly come as a surprise.
In fact, the reverse of plate bears an old graved inscription that may well indicate it is Whipple's work, although the "i" of Whipple is oddly done. See illustration below. Since the scrape lines of inscription are not well captured by scanner, a second image illustrates the scratches highlighted in red.
