Avery Stranded, Niagara

Artist Platt D. Babbitt (American, 1822 - 1879)

Date1853

MediumDaguerreotype

DimensionsPlate (quarter): 3 1/4 × 4 1/4 inches (8.26 × 10.8 cm)
Case (open): 7 1/2 × 4 5/8 × 3/8 inches (19.05 × 11.75 × 0.95 cm)
Case (closed): 3 3/4 × 4 5/8 × 5/8 inches (9.53 × 11.75 × 1.59 cm)

Credit LineGift of Hallmark Cards, Inc.

Object number2005.27.21

Signednone

Inscribednone

MarkingsOn modern paper tape, in pencil: "NO PLATE MFG'S MARKS / 426-3-99 / 2-PLY 100%RAG BOARD SPACER INSTALLED BETWEEN / PLATE & MAT, REGLAZED, SEALED W/FILMOPLAST P-90 / TAPE. 12.12.2005 GSW"; Behind plate, in tray, in pencil on orange paper: "Hawes / plate / only."

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DescriptionImage of a rushing body of water with a small figure in the center; he's on a log jammed between two rocks. Houses and trees are along the shoreline. This quarter plate cased daguerreotype is housed in a brass mat inside of a case adorned with birds and grape clusters.Exhibition History

Exhibition History

Developing Greatness: the Origins of American Photography, 1839-1885. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, June 9 – December 30, 2007, no. 57.

Rotation 12. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, March 28 – July 22, 2012, no cat.

Gallery Label

A crafty businessman, Platt Babbitt leased a pavilion at Prospect Point in which to make portraits of tourists standing in front of the Niagara Falls. Because of this position, Babbitt was also able to take images of newsworthy events at the Falls, such as the dire predicament of Joseph Avery, pictured here. After a night of drinking, Avery found himself stranded for nearly 20 hours just above the Falls. A crowd of 3,000 gathered onshore watching the story unfold before Avery, during a rescue attempt, was carried to his death.

Published References

"The Bell-Ringer at Niagara: With An Episode on the Recent Tragedy," New York Daily Times (July 23, 1853): 3; John Werge, The Evolution of Photography with a Chronological Record of Discoveries, Inventions, Etc., Contributions to Photographic Literature and Personal Reminiscences Extending over Forty Years (London: Piper and Carter and John Werge, 1890): 143-44.

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