Sixth Plate

THOSE DOTS . . . You see are tarnish specks that appeared after someone else cleaned the silver on this perky woman’s newly archivally taped sixth plate portrait. Inside the very worn and detached cover of her leather case the subject was identified on the red silk pad as “Victoria Reading Sample”. Yes, the plate was electroplated with an additional layer of silver and the vignette does resemble the style seen in identified Boston dags. Ms. Sample was most likely illuminated from a skylight. Her face was perfectly delineated and she sat almost regally within the pale spaciousness all around the inside of the brass mat. Those were impressive slender earrings she displayed. The latch on the case rail is missing. Victoria’s likeness will remain maker unidentified because I just can’t be certain who was responsible. Certainly a skilled craftsman operated the studio.