Anonymous American Photographers

2 daguerreotypes, comprising a quarter-plate of a Clothier in his Shop, with light hand-tinting; and a sixth-plate of a Man Draped in a Fringed Blanket, the second sealed, both cased, 1840s (2)

It is very unusual to see an interior daguerreotype made beyond the confines of a daguerreotypist's studio. Principle among the impediments to such an endeavor was the lack of controlled lighting, in addition to the logistical difficulties of transporting the necessary equipment and materials. In the quarter-plate offered here, the daguerreotypists has captured the interior of a dry-goods store in which bolts of cloth, hats, notions, and other less identifiable wares can be seen behind the shopkeeper, who regards the camera soberly. More enigmatic is the standing studio portrait of the man posing with a blanket wrapped shawl-like around his shoulders. Whether he was a cloth maker or vendor, or preferred an unconventional approach to his daily habit, is impossible to determine from this distance of time. The quarter-plate: As visible in the catalogue illustration, some clustered corrosion is present in the upper right portion of the image. Also visible in the illustration is customary uneven tarnishing around the periphery of the image. These condition issues, though readily apparent, do not undercut the generally fine appearance of the image, or obscure any of its fascinating detail. Some light hand-tinting is visible on the clothier's face, as well as on the cloth he is handling on the countertop, the blanket hanging overhead, and on several items in the background. A great deal of detail is visible, especially on the man who, beneath his coat, wears a very fine patterned waistcoat The sixth-plate: This highly-detailed image is in very good condition, and contains a great deal of detail both in the man's clothing and blanket, as well as in his face. The visual "noise" one sees in the catalogue illustration is due, almost exclusively, to fogging on the underside of the cover glass, which is believed to be original. As this daguerreotype retains an old, very possibly original seal, a decision was made not to remove it in order to clean the glass.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.