ELEGANCE! While it might be difficult to accurately determine the lady’s age, there was no doubt that when she was taken in the late 1840s her social status and personal grooming habits were both elevated! Instantly apparent in my scan of her sixth plate dag with new seals but not so obvious when you remove the detached cover of her leather case is the soft focus on part of her face. The daguerreotypist adjusted his lens slightly “long”. Outstanding depth and contrast plus the friendly nature and relaxed pose of the subject work harmoniously to please any admirer. A few most spiders and patina are on the silver. Those white dots are daguerreian frosting. I would be remiss not to mention the elaborate comb on the back of her elegant head.
