Unidentified American Boy (about 1847)


Figure 1.--Here we have an exceptional 1/6 plate Daguerreotype portrait of a boy who looks to be about 12-13 years old. It is one of the earliest photographic portraits we have archived on HBC. It is an extremely high quality image with wonderful detail to the boy and his attire. An expert has estimated the date at 1847.

Here we have an exceptional 1/6 plate Daguerreotype portrait of a boy who looks to be about 12-13 years old. It is one of the earliest photographic portraits we have archived on HBC. It is an extremely high quality image with wonderful detail to the boy and his attire. An expert has estimated the date at 1847. Unfortunately we do not know the identity of the boy. We suspect that he is from New Hampshire or other New England state. He wears a blouse with a small collar and stock. His suit jacket is accented with a bright plaid vest. Notice that the best is cut much more ipen than modern vests and has lapels. These bold patterns which contrasted with the suit jacket were very popular at mid-century. the boy's hair is combed down well over his ears. Notice the hair style, parted on one side and then just combed straight over. I have no idea what the name of this style was. We will call it a "straight across" comb until we learn of a better name. We have seen it, however, on other boys in the 1840s.






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Created: 12:41 AM 5/8/2006
Last updated: 12:41 AM 5/8/2006