Figure 1.-- We do not know this boy's name. We do know that he was an American boy from New York. We also know who the photographer was. The preserver mat is signed "CARDEN & CO., 293 B.WAY". Robert A. Carden is listed as a Daguerreotype photographer in 1853-54 at 293 Broadway in New York City. He appears to have been active even before the 1853-54 period. The dealer estimated that the portrait here to be from 1847-50. While we do not know the exact date, it is clear that the portrait was taken about 1850.

We do not know this boy's name. We do know that he was an American boy from New York. We also know who the photographer was. The preserver mat is signed "CARDEN & CO., 293 B.WAY". Robert A. Carden is listed as a Daguerreotype photographer in 1853-54 at 293 Broadway in New York City. He appears to have been active even before the 1853-54 period. The dealer estimated that the portrait here to be from 1847-50. While we do not know the exact date, it is clear that the portrait was taken about 1850. R. A. Carden (probably the same photographer) is also listed in San Francisco, California in 1856 at the corner of Clay and Kearny Streets. The portrait is a stunning Daguerreotype. He seems to be a serious young boy and is sitting in a chair. His face and hands are tinted and his pants may also be tinted. The seem to have a lavender hue. His elbow rests on a tablecloth that is tinted in blue. This Dag is sharp and has exceptional contrast. The boy wears a jacket with metal buttons and a floppy bow rather than a stock which was more common at the time. You can even see the texture in the bow. The case is 2 3/8 by just under 3 inches and the actual Dag is about 2 inches by slightly under 2 1/2 inches. The case is complete with its single latch assembly and is apart at the hinge.

The Boy

We do not know this boy's name. We do know that he was an American boy from New York. He looks to be a younger teen ager, perhaps about 13 years old. Daguerreotypes were expensive. This and his rather elegant outdit suggest that he came from a prosperous family. New York by the 1850 had emerged as the major commercial center of the United States. In large part this was die to rhe Erie Canal. As a result, many families achieved considerable financial success.

Robert A. Carden

We know who the photographer was. The preserver mat is signed "CARDEN & CO., 293 B.WAY". Robert A. Carden is listed as a Daguerreotype photographer in 1853-54 at 293 Broadway in New York City. He appears to have been active even before the 1853-54 period. R. A. Carden (probably the same photographer) is also listed in San Francisco, California in 1856 at the corner of Clay and Kearny Streets. This Dag was purchased with a group of images from the San Francisco area. This suggests that Carden took the portrait with him when he moved to Dan Francisco. We wonder if the boy could be related to Carden, perhaps his son.

Chronology

Information on the photographer helps to date the portrait. We know he was active in New York City during 1853-54. The dealer estimated that the portrait here to be from 1847-50. While we do not know the exact date, it is clear that the portrait was taken some time around about 1850.

The Portrait

The portrait is a stunning Daguerreotype. The boy seems to be rather serious. Most subjecs sitting for dags seem serious. This was largely because of the long exposure times required and the need to remain montionless. He is sitting in a chair which helped maintin the pose. His face and hands are tinted and his pants may also be tinted. The seem to have a lavender hue. His elbow rests on a tablecloth that is tinted in blue. This Dag is sharp and has exceptional contrast. Dags of course were mounted in cases. Unfortunately unless the family left a note in the case, which was not common, there was not way of identifying the individual for fiture generations. The case is 2 3/8 by just under 3 inches and the actual Dag is about 2 inches by slightly under 2 1/2 inches. The case is complete with its single latch assembly and is apart at the hinge.

Clothing

The boy wears a collar button jacket with metal buttons. Note the large number of buttons. The jacket seems to have a flap pocket, although this is a little difficult to make out. There seems to be something white in the pocket, perhaps a handkerchief that was not neatly tucked into the pocket. Note that the pocket is located about halfwy down the jacket, different than the pacement of modern pockets. Clothing at the time was hand made and thus there is greater variation than in the late-19th century when ready made clothing became common. The jacket is dark, but I am not sure what color it was. This was a popular style at the time. He also has a floppy bow rather than a stock which was more common at the time. You can even see the texture in the bow. Also note the reltively large white collar. Many early portraits like this show rather small collars. These fashion touches suggest to us a very stylish family. Also note that the jacket and pants do not much. Wearing outfits with jackets ans pants in different materials wa very common. The standard suit became more common after the Cvil War (1861-65).

Hair Style

The boy has thick hair with a center part. It is worn long enough to reach the ears. This was a very common style at the time. Some boys might even wer thei hair long enough to partially or even fully cover their ears. Younger boys might have even longer hair.

Created: 9:13 PM 7/21/2006
Last edited: 9:13 PM 7/21/2006