Gorgas's Floating Daguerreian Gallery

Artist Joseph R. Gorgas (American, 1829 - 1903)

Dateca. 1856

MediumAmbrotype

DimensionsPlate (half): 4 1/4 × 5 1/2 inches (10.8 × 13.97 cm)
Case (open): 9 5/8 × 6 × 3/8 inches (24.45 × 15.24 × 0.95 cm)
Case (closed): 4 3/4 × 6 × 5/8 inches (12.07 × 15.24 × 1.59 cm)

Credit LineGift of Hallmark Cards, Inc.

Object number2005.27.426

Signednone

Inscribednone

MarkingsIllegible pencil markings on paper liner behind plate

On View

Not on view

Collections

Photography

Terms

DescriptionImage of a house boat painted with the words "Gorgas' Daguerreian Boat" docked near a rough and muddy shoreline; three men are seated on the porch. This half plate daguerreotype is housed inside of a decorative oval brass mat in a case with an embossed red velvet liner and a grape motif on the case.Gallery Label

Gallery Label

This plate features Joseph R. Gorgas's "daguerreian boat," a floating gallery in which Gorgas travelled for three years along the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. He later reflected upon this period as "the happiest of my life, with a handsome boat 67 feet long, well-appointed [with] a good cook, flute, violin and guitar."

Published References

J. R. Gorgas, "J.R. Gorgas," St. Louis and Canadian Photographer 23:7 (July 1899): 327.

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