Lot 34

Lot 34

Fascinating quarter-plate European ambrotype of a suave gentleman posed in semi-profile. He is sporting a Van Dyke beard and holding a lit cigar in his hand and wears a heavy jacket over a cool polka dot vest and striped wool pants. There is an interesting feature on this right sleeve that looks like a spot and a bloom under magnification but in real life viewing this appears as a butterfly or flower! What makes this portrait even more intriguing is the original seal on the back, which has an advertisement that roughly translates as “Mr. Camilo Takes Off from Paris. Warns this respectable public that has just been established here to make all kinds of artificial pieces such as transparent mineral teeth, tubes and American points, with and without hooks, made of gold platinum rubber, all at reasonable prices. In the cabinet of the aforementioned one will find the wonderful powders of the Hautes Alps discovered and prepared.” Was Mr. Camilo also a photographer or was this a way to identify him? This is likely a Spanish ambrotype. The image is in very good plus condition with very nice tones and contrast. There is some tinting to his hands and face and the cigar has a red tip. We love that the paper mat is crudely cut also suggesting that Mr. Camilo might have been experimenting with photography on the side -or perhaps it a self-portrait. It is an interesting conundrum!