Quarter Plate

BY ANTHONY, EDWARDS & CO.? Edward Anthony and Jonas M. Edwards became partners in 1842 when they opened a gallery in Washington DC. They simultaneously had a location at 247 Broadway in NYC circa 1844-1846 which was the timeframe that this erudite gentleman was taken. I actually own a quarter plate, like this professionally conserved portrait, of Mr. Edwards who was framed with a similar style mat constructed from burnished paper lined underneath with plaster. In fact, Casey and I own quite a few fine dags taken in the mid-1840s all framed by similar surrounds. I suspect that this firm wasn?t the only ones in the city using this style. I can?t recall owning another portrait produced like this example that was actually identified by the maker. Artistic illumination sculpted the fellow?s tinted face. His countenance was rendered highly holographic by the expertise of the operator. Beautiful patina flows inside the oval opening. Casey has made a new leather hinge on the older style case that has a bright plain purple pad inside.