***
Unfortunately we do not yet know enough about the 1840s to be able to diferentiate between Dags taken in the 40s and 50s. We tend to think that dags from the early-40s are relatively rare and there are more from the late-40s and early-50s. Thus we tend to think this family dag was taken in the 1850s, probably the early or mid-50s, but we are largely guessing. This is two great sixth plate daguerreotypes. One of the mother and another of her children. They are combined in a single case. Both images have the same painted backdrop. Interestingly the photographer has obtained a nice clear image even though the children are standing up. There is some pinkish tinting in the sky area of the backround. Also some faint tinting on the younger child's shirt with low neck line. He is surely a boy. Note the top curl roll. He looks to be about 3 years old and has already been breeched. He seems to be holding a dag case. is older sister is wearing earrings, just like their mother. The gold jewelry has been highlighted with color. I wonder is the earrings don't give us a hint about the location. We are not positive, but it seems to be that it was not common for little American girls to wear earrings or for women to use large ones. We think that this was more common in Mexico. Could the family here be Hispanic, perhaps from Texas? We girl we think has a bit of a Hispanic look. Or perhaps with the emphasis on gold in these images, it could be California. Maybe HBC readers will know more. Put your cursor on the image to see the companion portrait of mother.
Navigate the HBC Related Pages:
[Reuturn to the Main Daguerreotype page]
[Top Curl]
[Low neckline]
[Blouses]
[Button-on styles]
[Pants]
[Hair part location]
[Earrings]
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main 1850s U.S. family page]
[Return to the Main 19th century U.S. family page]
[About Us]
[Introduction]
[Activities]
[Biographies]
[Chronology]
[Clothing styles]
[Countries]
[Essays]
[Girls]
[Bibliographies]
[Contributions]
[FAQs]
[Glossaries]
[Images]
[Links]
[Registration]
[Tools]
[ Boys' Clothing Home]