Lot 13
Lot 13
Angelic half-plate daguerreotype of Emma Mullen, with a velvet mat stamp for Fontayne & Porter’s Gallery, No. 30 4th St., Cincinnati. According to Craig’s Registry Charles Fontayne began daguerreotyping in Baltimore in 1841. From 1844-45 Fontayne and William Southgate Porter were also listed in Baltimore. Fontayne moved to Cincinnati in 1846 and partnered with Porter although another source doesn’t show Porter there until 1848. They operated at 30 4th Street until 1853. Emma appears to be three or four in this image so this would be 1848. Unfortunately according to records Emma died in 1849 from the croup. Please see the following daguerreotype of her parents holding her postmortem daguerreotype.
Emma is a sweet young girl, posed standing on a cushioned chair with a cool feathered hat on the table next to her. Her fabulous, checkered dress has been tinted a beautiful shade of light blue and her white pantaloons show below. The image is in very good plus condition with great tones and contrast and with beautiful blue tinting to her dress. Our scan shows the blue a shade different so we also provided a digital photograph. There is some subtle tinting to her cheeks and lips and at an angle we can see a few light buffing lines. We have resealed the image with a new glass and it is housed in a lovely floral full leather case.
Opening bid $470
