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1134. HALF PLATE DAGUERREOTYPE OF GOLD-MINING SCENE,

with a group of thirteen miners and their tools arranged around a flume with sluice boxes. Housed in a full leather case. The shirts of two of the miners are tinted blue, while one holds a pan with tinted nuggets. The scene also includes at least three Chinese miners -- the first we have seen in a gold-mining daguerreotype.

This daguerreotype is a souvenir of the adventures of Thomas and Martin Reinhart of Alvada, Ohio who left home in 1851 at the height of the Gold Rush. According to documentation accompanying the image, after arriving in California they set up camp near Hangtown (now Placerville) and presumably this represents their "diggins." They stayed in California four years before returning home via a trek across the Isthmus of Panama, then by boat to New York and finally to Ohio.

Lot includes two blow-ups of the image, one of which identifies the two brothers and other genealogical information.

Sealed, but obviously resealed long ago. The plate is quite strong, with good contrast, but has a large horizontal wipe in the sky area, and scattered light wipes elsewhere.

(EST $10000-$15000)

Price Realized: $18,400.00

Price includes buyer's premium.