152 YEARS OLD !! ANTIQUE DAGUERREOTYPE PHOTOGRAPH IN A UNION CASE.1839 - 1860.

                   DAGUERREOTYPE PHOTOGRAPH IN A UNION CASE.

THE DAGUERREOTYPE IMAGE WAS THE FIRST PHOTOGRAPIC PROCESS. THE IMAGE WAS FORMED ON THE SURFACE OF A SILVER PLATE THAT REFLECTS LIKE A MIRROR. IT CAN EASILY BE RUBBED OFF WITH THE FINGERS AND WILL OXIDIZE IF EXPOSED TO THE AIR. DAGUERREOTYPES WERE MOUNTED IN SEALED CASES OR FRAMES WITH A GLASS COVER. THE PROCESS WAS SO COMPLEX, LABOUR INTENSIVE AND ONLY ONE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH COULD BE PRODUCED. THIS PHOTO, FEATURING A " HANDSOME "  YOUNG WOMAN, HAS A MIRROR LIKE IMAGE. THE METAL BEZEL AROUND THE PHOTO IS PINCHBECK ( A SOFT GOLD COLOURED ALLOY } AND HAS A BEAUTIFUL AND INTRICATE DESIGN. THE PHOTO IS HOUSED IN A UNION CASE. UNION CASES ARE MADE FROM A COMPOUND OF SHELLAC AND WOOD FILLER WHICH COULD BE MOLDED INTO ELABORATE PATTERNS AND SHAPES. THE ELABORATE CASES WERE DESIGNED AND MADE TO HOUSE DAGUERREOTYPES AND AMBROTYPES. THE CASES WERE HINGED AND FOLDED TOGETHER LIKE A BOX. THE CASE IS IN FAIR CONDITION WITH NORMAL WEAR ALTHOUGH THE SIDE BINDING TAPE IS MISSING. THE INTERIOR IS EMBELLISHED WITH A WINE COLOURED VELVET COVER WITH AN EMBOSSED DESIGN WHICH HELPS TO PROTECT THE DELICATE PHOTO AND BEZEL.  SHIPPING R35.00.