Portrait of an enslaved man, Virginia

Former TitleVirginia Plantation Slave

Dateca. 1850

MediumDaguerreotype

DimensionsPlate (sixth): 3 1/4 × 2 3/4 inches (8.26 × 6.99 cm)
Case (open): 3 3/4 × 6 1/2 × 3/8 inches (9.53 × 16.51 × 0.95 cm)
Case (closed): 3 3/4 × 3 1/4 × 5/8 inches (9.53 × 8.26 × 1.59 cm)

Credit LineGift of Hallmark Cards, Inc.

Object number2005.27.73

Signednone

Inscribednone

MarkingsOn plate verso, on modern paper seal, in pencil: "NO PLATE MAKER'S MARKS / 2-PLY, 100% COTTON RAG BOARD SPACER INSTALLED BETWEEN PLATE & MAT, COVER GLASS REPLACED, SEALED W/FILMOPLAST P-90 TAPE. 4-24-2001 GSW @ KANSAS CITY, MO / 400-115-97"

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DescriptionImage of a seated black man wearing a long-sleeved shirt and overalls. His elbow rests on a nearby table. This sixth plate cased daguerreotype is housed in an oval brass mat inside of a brown case with gold trim, side clasp, and a red velvet embossed liner. A tiny white string is looped through the back of the preserver - presumably to hang the plate.

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