1/4 daguerreotype of John Charles Gardiner (AKA Juan Carlos Gardiner, while in Mexico) a Cuban-born American photographer and interpreter in Mexico. He was in business with Betts for awhile and travelled with the US Army during the Mexican American War. He was in Mexico a few years, possibly continuing to work as a photographer and an interpreter for the Army, and working as a dentist, until returning to the US around 1851. See pics 2 and 3 for more bio info.
This dag came out of a Virginia estate; the previous owner believed the man's name was John Charles Gardiner, based on family info, but had no proof of this... however, after receiving it and examining it closely I saw that he is identified on the silk pad.
In ink on the pad is written:
"Taken in 1847 (or 1846)
Tampico"
And below that, in very light period ink, is the signature "John Charles Gardiner". If you zoom in, you should be able to read it. Records do indicate that the US Army was in the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, where Tampico is located, in 1846.
This is a very rare image.. it's the only photo I have ever seen of Gardiner.
Dag is in a full leather case, behind mat and cover glass. There is scattered tarnish, mold spiders, and a spot or two of corrosion. The case is intact but the covers are mostly separated.
Shipping TBD, probably FedEx overnight.