Group of Four Reading a Letter

Dateca. 1850

MediumDaguerreotype

DimensionsPlate (sixth): 3 1/4 × 2 3/4 inches (8.26 × 6.99 cm)
Case (open): 3 9/16 × 6 3/8 × 3/8 inches (9.05 × 16.19 × 0.95 cm)
Case (closed): 3 9/16 × 3 3/16 × 9/16 inches (9.05 × 8.1 × 1.43 cm)

Credit LineGift of Hallmark Cards, Inc.

Object number2005.27.577

Signednone

InscribedOn paper liner, behind plate, extensive handwritten note which is faded and so only partially legible, in pencil: "...a faithful and true / ...live to be a / ...and may / affect ... be / ...about ...both to be unto her / the ... a life well / spent - and may the... of these / ...at last...her on the / shores of a...eternity / from me ... / Mrs [?] B Seward / Mrs Sarah J Thorne / [?] Thorne / [?] Seward / presented Jany [?] 3.1850"

MarkingsOn plate verso, on modern paper tape, in pencil: "NO PLATE MAKER'S MARKS / 2-PLY, 100% RAG BOARD SPACER INSTALLED BETWEEN PLATE & MAT COVER GLASS REPLACED, SEALED W/FILMOPLAST P-90 TAPE 2-23-2001 GSW / 400-92-97"

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DescriptionImage of two seated women with two men standing behind them. They all lean in to read a letter being held by the woman on the right. They women have rosy cheeks and gold-colored brooches around their lace collars. This sixth plate daguerreotype is housed in a brass mat inside of a case with Bouquet of Flowers motif and an embossed brown velvet liner.

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