. . .All this time, Gilbert Fletcher has been left bending of an old-
fashioned, somewhat faded daguerreotype. Two girl-faces nestled closely
together; the elder had long, dropping curls, and Miriam's eyes and
mouth--the other was a chubby, little sister, long years since in
Paradise. That child-face of Miriam was very sweet, and Gilbert studied
it intently.
He did not hear Miriam's question; and she went and looked over his
shoulder.
"That old thing!" said she, half-sadly, "it does not look a bit like
me now. That was taken 'when I was nearer heaven in the days of long
ago.'"
"To me it looks very much like you," replied Gilbert, in a low tone.
"I wish that you would give it to me, Miriam--I should like to take it
away with me."
"I would not give it to you for the world," said Miriam, in the same
tone. "When do you go?". . .
These are a few line from the short story "A Daguerreotype in Battle,"
by Ella Rodman from the 1863 September issue of Peterson's Magazine
(Philadelphia). To my knowledge, this story has never been referenced
in any text on photohistory. I have the full text available and will be
happy to send it to anyone who asks. Simply respond to this note with a
message to the effect: "send full text" and I'll be happy to forward it
to you as an e-mail note. I can also send it MIME if you have the
capabilities and wish to receive it that way; let me know your
preference.
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I also have for today an advertisement by Southworth and Hawes. It came
to me clipped and I am unable to offer the source or the date of the
advertisement.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A R T I S T S' D A G U E R R E O T Y P E R O O M S,
No. 5 1/2 Tremont Row, Boston.
In extending a cordial invitation to all who chance to peruse these
page, to visit our exhibition gallery, it is proper to state in a plain
and comprehensive manner what we would have visitors expect, especially
those who are judges of pictures. We aim in our profession to please
Artists, and those whose taste for the fine arts has been cultivated and
refined. Our patrons and customers have uniformly been of this class;
and as we have aimed to do superior work, our services have commanded
much higher prices than others in the same business are able to obtain.
In every possible application of the Daguerreotype, we have led the way
beyond all competition, until the best judges of art in the country
pronounce some of our work superior to any pictures in any of the
renowned European Galleries. This will seem extravagant to all who are
strangers to us; and yet we ask all Artists to expect to see something
superior to what they have ever seen at all, and we will risk their
being disappointed. As to the different styles of work, they are all
our own entirely--such as Crayon, (so called,) Illuminated Clouds, &c.,
and Ornamented Border. Some of these are claimed as Patented; but we
say that we practiced them for years before any one else, and long since
gave them to the public; and a patent on either Crayon or Bordered
Daguerreotype, or on taking several persons or objects on the same
plate, at different times, so as to have the picture seem as though made
at once, without any dividing mark, cannot be sustained, ought not, and
shall not be, wherever we can show our work; for we have it in such form
as to constitute testimony convincing to any one who may be interested.
At the late Fair in Boston, we received five highest premiums for
best specimens exhibited, viz.: "Gold Medal for Stereoscope;" "Silver
Medal for best Daguerreotypes;" "Silver Medal for best Daguerreotype
Plates;" "Silver Medal for best Crayon," and "Diploma for best
Daguerreotype Frames."
T H E S T E R E O S C O P E
Is a wonder in itself, and in its design and use we have reached the
very climax of perfection, having effected an arrangement which renders
it a complete gallery of life-size tableaux, which must be seen to be
realized or appreciated. We promise a rich treat to all who visit us.
SOUTHWORTH & HAWES.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
If you haven't recently been to the on-line exhibition for "Secrets of
the Dark Chamber," you are missing a great resource. I especially
appreciate the many 19th century texts they have made available. Direct
your web browser to:
http://www.nmaa.si.edu/secrets/secretshtml/secrets.html
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Posted for your enjoyment. Gary W. Ewer
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