One-Half Plate Portrait Daguerreotype Of A Well-to-do Couple -

1850. Hardcover. Near Fine. One-half plate daguerreotype of a well-dressed man and woman, probably in their 30s. Approximately 5" x 6". Patterned leather case with image in an thin mat and with elaborate pattern cut into the plush red velvet or felt inset facing the image. Spine of the case neatly restored and with a little rubbing, hasp and catches present and operational, some tarnish along the edges where the image meets the mat, overall at least very good with the image bright and clear and just about fine. A well-dressed but unidentified couple, he dressed in a neat suit and cravat, she in a satin dress with white collar and holding a book. The subject's dress and the rounded rectangular style of the mat suggest a date of around 1850. Daguerreotypes are not really rare, but half plate or larger images are becoming increasingly scarce, especially in nice condition.