Ninth Plate

FROM A SKYLIGHT. The attractive lady was taken in miniature, a retaped oval ninth plate daguerreotype, by a master maker who used a camera that had either gray or white painted on the inside. That would create a natural softness, as seen in her portrait, even though the lens was perfectly focused. Southworth & Hawes excelled at creating these stylistic likenesses. A gentle vignette done in the studio was enhanced by blue hazy patina across the bottom. I?m not sure about the cause of all those white dots. Maybe a moisture droplet created that stain above her head. The plate had exfoliated against the brass protector on the left side of the gal?s beautiful portrait. The red plush velvet case is intact but worn.