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| D08-190. "COLLINS . . . ARTIST, WESTFIELD" was printed in gold on that black label attached to the double elliptical brass mat in the right corner of the couple's fine resealed quarter plate. At the end of the 1840s into the beginning of the 50s Thomas P. Collins was active both in Philadelphia with his brother David and alone in Mass for a brief period circa 1852 in Westfield. He also worked in the Pilgrim state with David and Otis Cooley. John Craig mentions that T.P. had apparently outfitted a daguerreian wagon and was trying to sell it in Adams MA about 1850. The Collins brothers were consummate operators and most all of their many extant examples are winners. It is easy to realize how comfortable and proud the husband was seated next to his wife who held her glasses and displayed some uncertainty towards the process. Except for rough buffing strokes on the man's shirt and hand their likeness was a resounding success. Two mold mites are in the lower right corner and a sliver of tarnish mimics the brass mat's shape. A worn but intact leather case completes their presentation. $225 |
