Here is an interesting lot, the first being a 1/6 daguerreotype of two men, holding what appears to be a gold nugget, the second a 1/6 ambrotype of a man, with full identification written inside of the case.
The two men are not identified, however, I think I might know who they might have possibly been based on the notes written inside of the ambrotype case, which was acquired along with the daguerreotype. The notes ID the man as Abraham Baker Creal (1818-1885), who was the son of John Creal (1786-1871), who had several sons besides Abraham.
Researching John Creal, I found the following online:
"One son was a merchant. Another was lost in route to the California gold fields, along with Joseph Chase, his brother-in -law." Abraham was married to Lydia Chase Creal, and Joseph Chase was her brother.
So while the men in the dag are not identified, there is some good evidence that they were Joseph Chase, and an unnamed son of John Creal, brother of Abraham Creal. If they are posing with a gold nugget they must have made it to California... so maybe they were lost during the return trip, in route from California, not to...
Condition notes... the ambrotype is fine, in full case, separated covers. The daguerreotype is no longer sealed and is in a full, intact case. There are some mostly minor condition issues, the worst being a heavy but short mat abrasion near the top center, along the mat edge. In addition there are a few smaller mat abrasions, several small, light scratches, possibly a short swipe, a few tiny mold spiders. A lot of the specks are definitely on the glass, which I haven't cleaned. Under very close examination I see some light swipe marks on the nugget.. these are so light that I wonder if they might have been from the colorist's brush and the color is now faded..
I think my pics have captured the plate issues, but if you have any questions at all please ask before committing to purchase these.
Shipping: Boxed & signed EXPRESS MAIL.. overnight to most US addresses.
The two men are not identified, however, I think I might know who they might have possibly been based on the notes written inside of the ambrotype case, which was acquired along with the daguerreotype. The notes ID the man as Abraham Baker Creal (1818-1885), who was the son of John Creal (1786-1871), who had several sons besides Abraham.
Researching John Creal, I found the following online:
"One son was a merchant. Another was lost in route to the California gold fields, along with Joseph Chase, his brother-in -law." Abraham was married to Lydia Chase Creal, and Joseph Chase was her brother.
So while the men in the dag are not identified, there is some good evidence that they were Joseph Chase, and an unnamed son of John Creal, brother of Abraham Creal. If they are posing with a gold nugget they must have made it to California... so maybe they were lost during the return trip, in route from California, not to...
Condition notes... the ambrotype is fine, in full case, separated covers. The daguerreotype is no longer sealed and is in a full, intact case. There are some mostly minor condition issues, the worst being a heavy but short mat abrasion near the top center, along the mat edge. In addition there are a few smaller mat abrasions, several small, light scratches, possibly a short swipe, a few tiny mold spiders. A lot of the specks are definitely on the glass, which I haven't cleaned. Under very close examination I see some light swipe marks on the nugget.. these are so light that I wonder if they might have been from the colorist's brush and the color is now faded..
I think my pics have captured the plate issues, but if you have any questions at all please ask before committing to purchase these.
Shipping: Boxed & signed EXPRESS MAIL.. overnight to most US addresses.