A PAINTING COPY, AN UNUSUAL PREPARATION.

When I went to reseal this English quarter plate back in 2014, I took it out of the case and found that the back of the image was completely papered over. You don’t usually see that, but the glass was filthy so I split the seal and found something even more curious, a piece of metal that was NOT copper, but perhaps zinc? The slightly small quarter plate rests in a plate made of this metal, held in place by tabs (see photos). I’m wondering if the daguerreotypist did this for a few reasons – to lessen tarnish and mat abrasions? For that reason he sealed the entire back too. I’m no chemist though and, you can see that there is tarnish present anyway. Other than that, the plate is in good condition. The hinged case is in fine condition.