BE-HOLD 39

DAGUERREOTYPES
Lot 1. ISAMBARD KINGDOM BRUNEL.
1/4 plate in passepartout by Dodéro, Marseilles, with
advertising on the paper backing, within a case. A ship's
officer is seated in the center, a gentleman with a cane in
profile on the left, and Brunel at right. Brunel died in 1859
after the disastrous first launching of The Great Eastern.
Son of the great engineer Marc Isambard Brunel, he was
daring and brilliant in many engineering fields, including
tunnel and bridge building, railroad and ship design. This
portrait late in his life shows his piercing eyes and other
features recognizable from the few famous portraits. He
wears side whiskers and holds a cane. His short stature
is confirmed by a comparison of his legs with those of the
other figures. A bright edge of tarnish near the gilt edge
of the passepartout enhances the tinted flesh tones. A
few circular rings on the plate from moisture from the
glass. [3] $5000
Lot 2. OUTDOOR SHIRT.
A handsome fellow who has something of an actor's flair. He is holding a riding crop, and the
sleeves of his shirt are rolled up. There's a handkerchief in the breast pocket. The shirt bottom
appears to be buttoned onto a sash, rather than covered by a characteristic large belt buckle. The
dapper fellow could be a miner enjoying some new-found wealth, or another type of outdoorsman
with style. This half plate has not been taken in some fashionable studio-- more likely closer to
where the subject has made his fortune. The chair is simple, and there's a blurriness of the table
top that a more upscale operator would have avoided. There's a very slight "wave" horizontally
near the center of the plate, some mat abrasions, and a fine vertical line at right. In a thermoplastic
frame that has a crack and corner chip but is still presentable. The general impression is better
than a catalog of flaws, which might be true of the character of the sitter as well. [D3-] $850
Lot 3. THREE SISTERS BY WILLIAMSON.
Half plate. The girl at left wearing pantaloons is standing
on something, The older sister at right wears a
velvet dress. They hold up the baby in a natural manner--
it is the relaxed yet slightly animated feeling that
makes this an endearing image. Subtle flesh tones and
light blue on the clothing. A small area on the bottom
of the left girl's dress shows lighter.
Williamson's Brooklyn NY name is stamped
in lower left corner of the double elliptical
mat. In full case with original spine intact.
[3+] $850
Lot 4. GIRL WITH BOOK.
Very pleasing portrait, with nice coloring
against the dark silver backdrop. The beaded
edging of the table at right is a nice
touch. 1/6 plate in fine case with snake and
bird's nest design. [4-] $150
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