Lot 11

Extremely rare, oversized French half-plate (4 ¾” x 6 ¼”) daguerreotype signed by Eugène Vaillat -with a Confederate Army connection! The Vaillat signature stamp is shown on the plate with the date 1851. The daguerreotype captures a historically significant doctor, Gustave Devron during his final year of medical study in his family’s home country of France.  According to A History of Louisiana, (vol. 2), pp. 61-62, by Henry E. Chambers, which was published by The American Historical Society, Inc., Dr. Alexander Gustavus Devron was born in New Orleans, “the year of his nativity” having been 1832. The original representatives of the Devron family in America came from the vicinity of Rouen, France, and settled in Louisiana shortly after the close of American Revolutionary War. Dr. Devron died in New Orleans in the 1900. He received a Master of Arts and Doctor of Medicine from the historic University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and completed his final studies in Paris. He devoted virtually his entire active career to the practice of his profession in New Orleans and was a distinguished physician and surgeon of his native state. The 1900 Semi-Centennial Register of the Members of the Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity  (at Harvard) records him as ‘Major Surgeon Second Louisiana Militia, C.S. Army’ (his service is supported by M347, Unified Papers and Slips Belonging in Confederate Complied Service Records at the National Archive) and several sources note that he had charge of the only Confederate hospital that remained open in New Orleans at the time when that city was captured and occupied by the Federal troops commanded by Gen. Benjamin F. Butler.  Dr. Devron married Catherine Fitzgerald, who survived him and who continued to live in New Orleans until her death in 1916.

A remarkable 1851 Paris daguerreotype of the young New Orleans physician-to-be Gustave Devron, photographed by Vaillat while Devron was pursuing his education in Europe. His dark military-style uniform bears unusual gilt devices on both sides of the standing collar. The devices, somewhat moth-like in the daguerreotype, appear to be stylized flaming grenades (grenades enflammées), an emblem widely used in contemporary French military and military-school dress. The precise institution or corps represented by the uniform has not yet been determined.

This is a dynamic portrait of the young Confederate physician-to-be while pursuing his education in Paris. He is seen here posed his dark military-style uniform, which bears unusual gilt devices on both sides of the standing collar. The devices, somewhat moth-like in the image, appear to be stylized flaming grenades (grenades enflammées), an emblem widely used in contemporary French military and military-school dress. In addition to his meticulous uniform, Devon holds his hat, which bears a cross design. His large belt buckle has a typical military wreath and a figure in the middle.  A stack of his medical books is seen on the table with some titles visible, however we haven’t been able to decipher the partial titles. A fascinating addition is a wreath of leaves framing the outer edge of his books. The leaves still show some brownish color which looks like tinting but is actually remnants of light tarnish. The tonal qualities and contrast are still strong as is customary with Vaillat daguerreotypes. There are some light brush marks and scratches which are seen but this plate stayed in remarkable condition for not having a cover glass. This is a museum quality piece that can be a highlight of your collection!

Luckily, this image was rescued by a general line dealer in Mississippi while attending a New Orleans estate auction. It was purchased with just the internal portion of the passe-partout and no cover glass and was so heavily tarnished you could barely see the image. They were kind enough to find a glass to protect the image during shipping and we did an electrolytic cleaning to bring this historical piece back to life. We decided to frame this with just the internal portion of the passe-partout for accuracy, and we will leave it to the new owner if they would like to add a modern or period reverse painted pass-partout.

This lot is accompanied by a large charcoal portrait (14” x17”) of Gustave with some notes about tinting the “cord red, epaulettes gold and gold buttons.” On the bottom margin it reads “bring down the coat Tuesday sure.” As seen, the margins of the mount are fragile and missing pieces. Someone has put two corner mounts on a piece of white board and shrink wrapped it to prevent further damage. We have now enclosed it in an archival sleeve and delicately checked but there was no identification on the back for the original photographer. Also included is a black and white photograph of the daguerreotype by GulfPort Photo-Movie Service, Long Beach, MS along with the studio envelope and a hand written identification about the original daguerreotype.

Opening bid: $1,900