Half-Plate Portrait Daguerreotype Of Eight Women -

1855. Hardcover. Near Fine. Half-plate daguerreotype of eight young women. Approximately 5.5" x 4.25". Patterned leather case with image in an elaborate gilt mat with foliate decorations cut into the plush red velvet facing the image. Spine of the case neatly restored, a little rubbing on the leather, hook and eye closures present and working, case is near fine. Slight tarnish in left margin, a couple of rings on the hand of one woman have been highlighted in gold, a very near fine image. A well-dressed group of eight young women, possibly classmates, seated together. The subjects' dress and the elaborately stamped gold mat seem to indicate a date of the mid-to-late 1850s, while the fancy preserver seems to confirm that date. Individual daguerreotypes are not really rare, but half-plate or larger images of groups, especially of women, are scarce and desirable. This is an attractive image, in especially nice condition.