A GROUP OF TWELVE AMERICAN DAGUERREOTYPES, AMBROTYPES, AND TINTYPES OF CHILDREN, MID 19TH CENTURY, each set in a period hinged and velvet lined case, comprising one of an infant with rosy pink plump cheeks and pale blue eyes wearing a white gown with bow ribbon tied shoulders; one of two boys standing with each having an arm around the other and wearing a tie with shirt under buttoned jacket; one of an elegant adolescent sister and brother, she wearing earrings with necklace and a pleated bodice with short puffy sleeves over a tiered ruffles skirt with petticoat, sweetly holding the hand of her little brother wearing a short lace ruffled collar over a long large sleeved jacket with dark banding trim and knee britches with white stockings; one of three nice looking and properly dressed children centering an adolescent boy wearing a short collar and small cravat over dark vest and broad lapel jacket, his hands resting on shoulders of two sisters wearing matching dresses and holding hands; a two plate case with left side of two charming boys leaning on a covered table next to a long floral damask curtain, one blond and wearing gingham buttoned short collar shirt tucked into light colored three button long pants, standing opposite a little dark haired boy wearing same version of brother but darker materials, the other plate depicting an adolescent girl with mature face and dark hair with curled shoulder length tresses, over a high waisted polka dot dress with short puffy sleeves and standing with arm resting on covered table; a two plate case with each plate of a nicely dressed attractive boy with combed dark blond hair and wearing a short straight collared shirt under a circular necked puffy jacket with twin buttoned neck and opening to lace button strip; on depicting a young pre-teen girl with mature face and hair braided at sides and bow ribbon tied at back, wearing a natural coral bead fragment necklace suspending an oval compact over a shoulder length two tiered scalloped top on a pleated bodice and organza skirt, seated next to to a foliate cloth covered table with her arms partially covered in long open fingered black lace gloves, verso hand inscribed "Lucy A. Davis / Mamas sister."; a two plate case with images of pretty twin little girls or two pics of same girl, each in a different pose with one arm leaning on a covered table, wearing matching plaid dresses with large bow-ribbon tied shoulders and a low décolleté over puffy skirt, within a gilt metal matting stamped L/L, "J.H. YOUNG," in a hinged case; one case with an image of a boy child with short dark blond hair and wearing a closed ruffle collar over a lozenge trellis patterned long sleeve dress with four button shoulders, secured at waist with bow-tied cord and trimmed throughout in dark banding, over a knee length petticoat and white socks, with one hand resting on a floral cloth covered table, stamped on gilt metal border L/R "W.H. HOWE."; sizes range from smallest ninth plate up to largest half plate. Note: J. H. Young, (American), of New York, W. H. Howe (William H.) (American), a photographer as well as watchmaker, moved to Texas in 1859 and is recorded as having worked in Clarksville July 1859, December 1860, and continued with local advertising the following January 1861. During June of both 1859 and 1860, he is recorded to be active in Paris, Texas. Provenance: Photography Collection, Houston, Texas
Condition
Each in relatively good condition with some having spots, are dark or have darkened areas, and some with a small scratch. The cases are in good to very good condition with some having a small chip, or edge nick, one is lacking the tip of one of the two brass tabs, and some light wear on the protruding areas. They are of the 1850s, identified with printed maker's information on the interior behind one of the plates. Simpson Galleries strongly encourages in-person inspection of items by the bidder. Statements by Simpson Galleries regarding the condition of objects are for guidance only and should not be relied upon as statements of fact and do not constitute a representation, warranty, or assumption of liability by Simpson Galleries. All lots offered are sold "AS IS."