Sixth Plate

A YOUNG FATHER? While I can’t be certain of their relationship, I absolutely adore this professionally resealed sixth plate. The daguerreian placed the lad next to the fellow and had him stand on a chair. As a double fault mechanism, the young man reached behind the boy AND the thick leather belt with a golden buckle would have been wrapped around the vertical post of a head restraint, which most likely had been positioned behind the child’s head. Although the subject moved his head, he actually was quite attentive. The gent had a wistful expression and was proud, I think, to have been part of the portrait. Surely the man was the boy?s father, yet he didn?t wear a wedding band. Wonderful clarity, contrast and depth are all instantly obvious when the separated leather case cover is removed. The condition is very fine.