Lot 32

Outstanding quarter plate ambrotype of a painting of Richard Sears, known as “The Pilgrim”.  Information on the reverse identifies him and states he came to America in 1630.  It also states this is from a portrait in possession of the Van Egmont family. Sears was born ca. 1595 and died on September 5th, 1676. According to multiple sources he was an early settler of New England who lived in both the Massachusetts Bay Colony and Plymouth Colony. The original painting can also be found online. The Historical Society of Old Yarmouth website has a print which is also identified as copied from the Van   Egmont  portrait.
This is one of the most dynamic ambrotype copies of a painting we have ever seen. The exposure is picture perfect with strong tones and contrast. An added bonus is it is backed by the original brown cloth which creates a cool pattern on his outfit. The photographer has added a slight red hue to his cheeks. The image was uncased when we purchased it and it has a makeshift old wire attached under the inside top of the preserver. If it was hung in the past we are fortunate it survived! We have now put it in half of a case but the wire is still attached for posterity. A great piece of early American history.

Opening bid $110