Lot includes 6 cased images, featuring a positively identified sixth plate daguerreotype of the founder of the Remington Arms Co., L.L.C. and designer of the Remington Rifle, Eliphalet Remington II, housed in full case. The image offered in the lot is the earliest known example and, quite possibly, the only known daguerreotype of Remington that exists.
Accompanied by a quarter plate daguerreotype of Remington's son,
Philo Remington, Arms Manufacturer, as identified on note, with
C.W. Teller's Daguerreotype Gallery, Newburgh, NY imprint, pinned to velvet lining inside case. With inked date of
April 2 1844 on velvet lining, housed in full case; sixth plate daguerreotype of Remington's son-in-law, Lawrence L. Merry, husband to his daughter Maria, housed in half case; sixth plate daguerreotype of woman identified as Mary Myers Merry, although it may be Remington's daughter, Maria, housed in half case under mat stamped by Plumbe; sixth plate ambrotypes of Remington's grandchildren, Addie and Carrie Merry, children of Lawrence and Maria Merry, each housed in half case. A binder of supporting documentation is also included with the collection.
Eliphalet Remington II was born in Suffield, CT on October 28, 1793 to his father, Eliphalet Remington, a blacksmith. Alongside his father, Remington operated an iron forge in Litchfield, and both fabricated and repaired tools, equipment, and hardware. In 1816, Remington developed his first flintlock rifle, a highly accurate gun based on its barrel shape. Demand was high and the business shifted from a foundry to manufacturing guns. By 1828, he had established his own forge in Ilion, and dominated the local trade, producing over 8,000 barrels per year for gunsmiths. Remingtons became highly sought after firearms for their quality, accuracy, and craftsmanship. Many of their guns were used during the Civil War, World War I, and World War II. When Eliphalet Remington II died in 1861, his oldest son Philo took over the family business. By 1886, E. Remington & Sons had experienced serious downturns, and the company went into receivership. In 1888, Marcellus Hartley and the Winchester Repeating Arms Company purchased Remington and renamed it Remington Arms Co. (Information obtained from the NRA Museums website, October 1, 2016.)
Condition
All images are in excellent condition.