Snapshots of the Past

[Henry, George and Stephen Childs, half-length portrait, facing front] – Historic Photograph Print

[Henry, George and Stephen Childs, half-length portrait, facing front], [1842 Nov. 25] — historic photograph
[Henry, George and Stephen Childs, half-length portrait, facing front], [1842 Nov. 25]. Historic photograph from the Daguerreotypes & Early Photography collection.

(Originally scanned by the Library of Congress. Each image is professionally and digitally cleaned of artifacts such as color bars and extra borders prior to printing.)

Description

Step back in time with [Henry, George and Stephen Childs, half-length portrait, facing front], a historic photograph rich in period detail. An authentic image from the Library of Congress, it carries the weight of the real historical record.

Framed, it is ready for the wall; unframed, it is ready for the frame you choose. It makes a striking addition to a living room, study or office, and a thoughtful gift. Free shipping in the lower 48 states. Since 2001, Snapshots of the Past has shipped historic prints to tens of thousands of customers around the world.

[Henry, George and Stephen Childs, half-length portrait, facing front]

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Stephen, Henry, and George Childs sit side by side in this half-length daguerreotype, facing the camera in the order given in the record: Stephen on the left, then Henry, then George. The plate bears the hallmark of Plumbe's patent of October 22, 1842, so it was made only about five weeks after that patent was issued, and the date written on the back of the frame, November 25, 1842, likely marks the sitting. Daguerreotypes like this are mirror-bright metal images that show their subjects best when tilted under light, and the long exposures required sitters to hold very still. Its survival in a matted wooden frame also reflects how families of the period kept such portraits as personal keepsakes.

Created / published[1842 Nov. 25]
Medium1 photograph : approximate quarter plate daguerreotype.
GenrePortrait photographs 1840-1850.Group portraits 1840-1850.Daguerreotypes 1840-1850.
NotesHallmark: Plumbe's patent, Oct. 22, 1842. Matted in wooden frame. Written on back of frame: H.C. Nov. 25, 1842. Stephen, Henry & George Childs in order from the left - Henry - George - Stephen. Purchase; 1970; (DLC/PP-1970:279). Forms part of: Daguerreotype collection (Library of Congress).
SubjectsChilds, George,--1823-1860. Childs, Henry,--1809-1876. Childs, Stephen,--b. 1808.
SourceLibrary of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division
Original scan4,096 × 3,294 px · prints to 14 × 11 in at 300 dpi
Reference86_Henry_George_and_Stephe_1842

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