The Daguerreian Society 2017 Symposium Benefit Auction
The auction was held on Saturday, October 28, 2017 at
Embassy Suites by Hilton Convention Center
900 10th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001
Results for sold lots are provided below.
Full auction terms may be found here.
LIVE AUCTION LOTS
[Lots 1-25] [Lots 26-50] [Lots 51-66]
Lot 26: HANDSOME MAN WITH GLOVES IN WOLFERT'S ROOST CASE
Quarter plate daguerreotype. Full case.
The young man has tousled hair and looks not unlike a young Robert Burns, the poet. He holds a book and perhaps a riding crop. The name of the case is "Wolfert's Roost," which was the name of a collection of stories by Washington Irving.
NO RESERVE
ESTIMATE: $300-600
Sold for $250 plus premium.
Lot 27: 32 AMBROTYPES
All sixth plate size. 3 full cases. 2 split cases. 10 half cases. 2 of 3 women each. 1 mother & child. 17 uncased. 3 male female couples. 2 pairs of children. 1 girl. 4 women. 1 boy. 17 men.
This is a generous donation from David R. Phillips, facilitated by Neil MacDonald of Rare Photo Gallery. Mr. MacDonald generously steered Mr. Phillips' collection to The Daguerreian Society rather than handle it himself. 100% OF THE PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE DAGUERREIAN SOCIETY.
David R. Phillips (bio at Lot 1) donated the following lots: 1, 11, 18, 27, 28, 45, 54, 56, and 58.
Absentee bidders: this is a box lot, so special packing fees apply. See the shipping terms for details.
NO RESERVE
ESTIMATE: $250-300
Sold for $225 plus premium.
Lot 28: 66 AMBROTYPES THAT NEED T.L.C. (TENDER LOVING CARE)
This lot consists of ambrotypes that need black backing or mats and preservers:
1 half plate unprotected. 1 quarter plate preserver only. 1 quarter plate unprotected.
7 sixth plates in full cases or half cases. 8 sixth plates with mats and preservers. 16 sixth plates unprotected.
1 ninth plate full case. 1 ninth plate split case. 3 ninth plate half case. 15 ninth plate mat & preserver only. 12 ninth plates unprotected.
This is a generous donation from David R. Phillips, facilitated by Neil MacDonald of Rare Photo Gallery. Mr. MacDonald generously steered Mr. Phillips' collection to The Daguerreian Society rather than handle it himself. 100% OF THE PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE DAGUERREIAN SOCIETY.
David R. Phillips (bio at Lot 1) donated the following lots: 1, 11, 18, 27, 28, 45, 54, 56, and 58.
Absentee bidders: this is a box lot, so special packing fees apply. See the shipping terms for details.
NO RESERVE
ESTIMATE: $100-250
Sold for $225 plus premium.
Lot 29: SEASHELL BY IRVING POBBORAVSKY
In The Scenic Daguerreotype, (1995) John Wood describes Irving Pobboravsky as "the dean of modern daguerreotypists" in recognition both of his pioneering role and his exceptional talent in turning the abandoned daguerreian process into a medium for contemporary art. (Christopher Wahren Fine Photographs) In 1971, Pobboravsky's Masters research thesis, 'Study of Iodized Daguerreotype Plates,' was published by RIT's Graphic Arts Research Center. In 1973 he made a daguerreotype of the Eastman House (now the George Eastman Museum) with the Giroux camera which he donated to the Rochester Photographic Historical Society. The George Eastman Museum has since purchased several of his daguerreotypes. The Carnavalet Museum in Paris commissioned Irving Pobboravsky and Grant Romer to continue the daguerreotype documentation of Paris as part of their "Paris et daguerreotype" exhibit celebrating the 150th anniversary of the 1839 announcement of Daguerre's invention. After their six week stay, Pobboravsky & Romer were able to present about 20 daguerreotypes for the permanent collection. "Above all it is the potential beauty of the process that is both necessary and sufficient for me." (Luminous Lint website)
The proceeds from the sale of this lot (after the seller's fee and buyer's fee, which go to The Daguerreian Society) are a donation to ABVI (The Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired) on behalf of Mr. Pobboravsky.
RESERVE AUCTION
ESTIMATE: $1200-2500
Sold for $1600 plus premium.
Lot 30: UNCLE GEO. AND GUS MIRROR IMAGE
Sixth plate daguerreotype. Split case.
This is a mirror image of a daguerreotype in the collection of William Becker, curator and owner of the on-line "The American Museum of Photography." Mr. Becker's daguerreotype was identified by a note as "Uncle Geo. and Gus." Mr. Becker's daguerreotype image appears on page 106 of Daguerre's American Legacy: Photographic Portraits (1840-1900) from the Wm. B. Becker Collection," by Francois Brunet & Wm. B. Becker. Previously, it appeared as Figure 26 in The Daguerreotype: a Sesquicentennial Celebration, edited by John Wood, and in Secrets of the Dark Chamber, page 86, by Merry Foresta and John Wood, published by the National Museum of American Art.
"This is an extreme example of what I mean by being an interloper: inserting ourselves in very private moments." From an interview with William Becker for "The Daguerreian Portrait in America"/"Le Portrait Daguerrien en Amérique," conducted by Geraldine Chouard.
RESERVE AUCTION
ESTIMATE: $3000-6000
Sold for $3500 plus premium.
Lot 32: A LOT OF CDVS
Approximately 775 CDVs (Cartes de Visite).
This lot has an emphasis on Europe: scenes, artwork, and personalities, as well as having portraits from both sides of the ocean. Included is a CDV of U.S. Grant and an unusual view of Charles Sumner.
Absentee bidders: this is a box lot, so special packing fees apply. See the shipping terms for details.
NO RESERVE
ESTIMATE $300-600
Sold for $425 plus premium.
Lot 33: FOUR DAGUERREOTYPES OF FOUR GORGEOUS WOMEN
4 sixth plate daguerreotypes. 3 full cases. The other in Calmady Children thermoplastic case.
1) Dark-haired woman with long ringlets or bottleneck curls flowing down her shoulders. Her sleeves are lace and she holds a folded fan.
2) Another dark-haired woman identified on a slip of paper as "Anne Younge Married Ephraim Drake."
3) Young woman in fashionable dress, holding a parasol.
4) Another fashion statement: A teenaged young lady wearing an electric outfit.
Absentee bidders: this is a box lot, so special packing fees apply. See the shipping terms for details.
NO RESERVE
ESTIMATE: $600-1000
Sold for $800 plus premium.
Lot 34: THREE EXCELLENT PAIRS
Three sixth plate daguerreotypes. 2 half cases, one split case.
All that these daguerreotypes have in common is that they each feature two people albeit distinctly different subjects. But each is compelling.
1) Rough tough father with daughter clinging to his arm.
2) A very sharp couple, she with an intriguing shawl and wide set of eyes, him more circumspect.
3) 2 women with the same hair style, holding hands. Each has a sense of fashion.
Absentee bidders: this is a box lot, so special packing fees apply. See the shipping terms for details.
NO RESERVE
ESTIMATE $400-750
Sold for $325 plus premium.
Lot 35: GUITAR, VIOLIN, FLUTE & SHEET MUSIC: STEREO DAGUERREOTYPE
This is most likely European in origin. There is a strong musical theme here with the three musical instruments and two open books of sheet music. The musical notation is discernible. Notice the glasses (spectacles) with side visors.
The idea of supplementary lenses was first introduced by Richardson's patent of 1797, in which two side lenses hinged to the eyerims and could be folded over the main lenses to combine the powers of the two. Out of this idea grew the concept of side visors. In the nineteenth century, rail travel began with a passengers being carried in open-top carriages with the wind, funnel smoke and sparks from the track in their faces. A particular type of protective spectacles with D-shaped lenses arose shortly before this time and came to be known as 'railway spectacles.' Sometimes such spectacles had tinted lenses and can be seen as early sunglasses in that they were for outdoor use. (Source: College of Optometrists website)
NO RESERVE
ESTIMATE: $1000-1500
Sold for $650 plus premium.
Lot 37: 100 EUROPEAN STEREOVIEWS ESP. ITALY PLUS 5 FRENCH GLASS
There are exactly 100 paper stereoviews in this lot, including many Italy (Pompeii in particular) and Ireland's Giant's Causeway. Many Sommer and Behles. Plus 5 French glass stereoviews.
Absentee bidders: this is a box lot, so special packing fees apply. See the shipping terms for details.
NO RESERVE
ESTIMATE: $300-600
Sold for $150 plus premium.
Lot 38: HAND COLORED ALBUMEN SILVER PRINT IN FULL PLATE CASE
Opening measures 6½ x 8½ inches.
Features a wonderfully posed family group. Mom with her hand-colored embroidery, Dad with his rich beard, the girl's dress is hand-colored as she's immersed in a book, and the boy in a dress unabashedly posing for the camera.
RESERVE AUCTION
ESTIMATE: $1000-2000
Sold for $550 plus premium.
Lot 39: A DOZEN MEN DAGUERREOTYPES
1 quarter plate. Full case. 11 sixth plate. 2 full cases. 1 split case. 8 half cases.
We have 2 looking right, 2 looking left, and the rest are straight ahead. 3 show their hands, including the gentleman with the cane and the big white hat. Plus, there's a partial hand.
Absentee bidders: this is a box lot, so special packing fees apply. See the shipping terms for details.
NO RESERVE
ESTIMATE: $250-500
Sold for $500 plus premium.
Lot 40: 7 DAGS FROM THE 1840s, WITH TOP HAT MAN, MOTHER & CHILD
1 quarter plate. Split case. 6 sixth plates. 2 full cases, 4 split cases.
Features a man with a top hat and a touching mother and child. The quarter plate is of a couple and that's lovely, too. Also four early portraits of men.
Absentee bidders: this is a box lot, so special packing fees apply. See the shipping terms for details.
NO RESERVE
ESTIMATE: $500-900
Sold for $500 plus premium.
Lot 41: TREE BY ROB McELROY
Whole plate daguerreotype. Framed.
This daguerreotype puts us into a city park, but the title suggests we're focused on one tree.
Based in Buffalo, NY, Rob McElroy has been a professional photographer since 1980, shooting primarily photojournalistic, commercial, advertising and magazine assignments... In his early years he honed his skills working full time for the Associated Press and shooting sports for the NFL, all the while continuing to shoot industrial, commercial and studio jobs to get experience in all of photography's genres. For the past 15 years, McElroy has turned his attention to mastering the art of the daguerreotype process, and he is one of only a handful of practicing daguerreotypists... He's also a photo historian... actively involved in photo-conservation research projects, often in collaboration with various institutions. (The International Center of Photography)
Mr. McElroy's daguerreotypes are viewable on Flickr and CDags.org (Contemporary Daguerreotypes).
NO RESERVE
ESTIMATE: $600-1300
Sold for $300 plus premium.
Lot 42: PATRIOTIC MAN HAS BEACH UMBRELLA, MAN WITH CARTOON BODY
Two tintypes.
1) Shows a man in bizarre patriotic attire with a faux beach umbrella at a faux beach. In fact, are those his real arms?Approximately 3½ x 2 3/8 inches.
2) Carnival tintype of a man on a small body being pulled by a small dog.
Approximately 3½ x 2½ inches.
NO RESERVE
ESTIMATE: $250-500
Sold for $200 plus premium.
Lot 43: BIG BOX OF OPALOTYPES, AMBROTYPES & TINTYPES
Features a full plate tintype of a lady with superb hand-coloring and gold gilding.
OTHER TINTYPES INCLUDE:
Full plate man with gold buttons, also hand-colored.
Full plate (slightly under at 8 x 6 inches) of man with goatee.
Family group full plate.
Large outdoor scene family in front of house (roughly 4½ x 6 3/8 inches).
Sixth plate cased tintype of woman showing a cased image.
Smaller than ninth plate of a proper man. With mat and preserver.
OPALOTYPES ON MILK GLASS:
Large almost full plate of a woman.
Sixth plate oval of a woman, brown tones.
Ninth plate Peek-a-Boo thermoplastic case of man. Great patriotic mat.
AMBROTYPES:
Probably English quarter plate of 2 women. Mat and preserver only.
Sixth plate half case of two children.
Sixth plate full case post mortem (dark).
Sixth plate split case. Woman.
Roughly 4 X 5 inches uncased of Washington's Tomb, hand colored.
Plus postcard of Washington's Tomb.
Platt Babbitt Glass stereoview of Niagara Falls (broken).
Absentee bidders: this is a box lot, so special packing fees apply. See the shipping terms for details.
NO RESERVE
ESTIMATE: $400-800
Sold for $350 plus premium.
Lot 44: DAGUERREOTYPE OF PERSON WITH BRAIDS BY CRAIG TUFFIN
Quarter plate daguerreotype. Untitled, from the "Echoes" series.
It is easy to find Craig Tuffin's website. He lives on the Tweed Coast in Northern New South Wales, Australia. "Tuffin has worked tirelessly in his experimentation of 19th century photographic techniques... Tuffin is more concerned with the 'medium meeting the message by selectively using techniques that best translate each narrative.' He is a consultant in 19th century photographic methods for the Museum of Brisbane and regularly travels as a speaker at institutional events. His work is in the official collection of the National Gallery of Australia, as well as many other private and public collections around the world."
This is a generous donation from Craig Tuffin. 100% of the proceeds from the sale of this lot benefit The Daguerreian Society.
NO RESERVE
ESTIMATE: $500-2000
Sold for $250 plus premium.
Lot 45: RUBY RUBY (19 RUBY GLASS AMBROTYPES)
Ambrotypes are positive images on glass, and need black backing in order to be seen. The exception is ruby glass ambrotypes, which are on colored glass, and therefore need no black backing.
19 images in all:
Quarter plate couple in split case.
Sixth plates:
Matching man and woman in split double case.
2 couples (split case, half case).
4 men (2 half cases, 2 uncased but with mat & preserver).
2 women (half case, and uncased with mat and preserver).
1 sixth plate unprotected of "Mother...65 years old...1861 by J. T. Upton, Buffalo...Received in Quincy..." 2 more unprotected plates.
3 ninth plates of men (split case, half case, mat & preserver only).
1 unprotected ninth plate. 1 smaller-than-ninth-plate unprotected.
This is a generous donation from David R. Phillips, facilitated by Neil MacDonald of Rare Photo Gallery. Mr. MacDonald generously steered Mr. Phillips' collection to The Daguerreian Society rather than handle it himself. 100% OF THE PROCEEDS WILL GO TO THE DAGUERREIAN SOCIETY.
David R. Phillips (bio at Lot 1) donated the following lots: 1, 11, 18, 27, 28, 45, 54, 56, and 58.
NO RESERVE
ESTIMATE: $150-250
Sold for $125 plus premium.
Lot 46: NUDE, LAMY, NEW MEXICO, BY ROBERT SHLAER
