AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

These may be the oldest photographic images of slavery in action. It is a daguerreotype, and is in remarkably good condition. From the always-wonderful Atlas Obscura...

It was recently sold to a museum at auction, for about $325,000, making it one of the most expensive images ever sold.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/daguerreotype-enslaved-african-americans-cotton?utm_source=Atlas+Obscura+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=f3c8307399-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_12_06_Not_NYC&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f36db9c480-f3c8307399-64404669&mc_cid=f3c8307399&mc_eid=94920dcae5

Andy

Chuck B

The importance of recorded history in visual art.

SafetySam Loc: Colorado

These images serve to document history, as so many others, and the importance of photographic history cannot be denied.

History cannot be changed, as many have and continue to try, and our documentation helps to record the past so we can learn from it and change the future, as sadly many also try but continue to fail or fall short of the need . .

Great history lesson.

bluezzzzz Loc: Stamping Ground, KY

That is an absolutely amazing image, for the many reasons explained in the article, and I'm glad it has found a proper home in a prestigious museum.

They have become pricey and hard-to-find in recent years, but back in the days of interesting dealers and wonderful flea markets, I amassed a small collection of daguerrotypes, none of this quality, of course, but amazing in their own right. As the article says, outdoor scenes were rare, and I believe all of mine were taken indoors.

If you are interested and are ever in the Cincinnati area check out the daguerrotype room at the main Cincinnati library; a panorama composed of eight full plate dags of the city skyline, taken from across the river in KY. The detail is incredible; the time on a steeple clock can be read, with enough magnification!

Marshall


https://www.cincylibraryfriends.org/1848-cincinnati-panoramic-daguerreotype/#:~:targetText=In%20September%201848%2C%20photographers%20Charles,a%20panoramic%20view%20of%20Cincinnati.&targetText=The%20resulting%20images%20from%20that,titled%20%E2%80%9CDaguerreotype%20View%20of%20Cincinnati.

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Thanks for sharing this. I'll check it out in person next time I'm in the area.

Andy