SISTERS

I certainly saw those mat abrasions along the lower left side of the sixth plate portrait.  I discounted them since I absolutely loved the charming intimate pose of the ladies who were taken in the mid-1850s.  It wasn’t til I took the package apart that I realized the previous pair of hands that tried to restore the companions, either badly aligned the plate or used a different mat altogether.  The brass surround is exactly from the correct time frame so I decided to properly position the subjects as they were meant to be seen originally.  There are a few specks widely scattered, an oval flow of patina and some haziness on the left too.  The complete leather case has a cleverly repaired hinge.  I would be remiss not to mention the fabulous textile used for the woman’s dress on the left and the amount of lace seen on both gals’ collars.