THE TORN BACKDROP.

From the state of the thing, one might deduce that A: the daguerreotypist did not always aim is camera so high and B: that he could have been an itinerant and the drop had seen some wear and tear. Perhaps this family of eight squeezed into a wagon to have their portrait made? The older sisters and mom have had their gold brooches picked and everyone?s cheeks are rosy. Mom is wearing her glasses. There is an unfortunate splash of tarnish on her cheek and some mold spiders, mostly at the top. The quarter plate is resealed and comes in a whole case.