Photo Record
Images
Metadata
Object |
Daguerreotype |
Photographer |
Gay, Charles H. |
Date |
1848 |
Print size (inches) |
6.5 x 7.5 |
Description |
Daguerreotype of six aged citizens of Bennington: Samuel Safford, Benjamin Harwood, Abisha Kinsley, Aaron Robinson, Samuel Fay, and David Robinson. Four men seated in front and two standing in back. Some men in front hold swords of canes. Handwritten in ink on the paper backing: "Samuel Safford b. 24 June 1761 died 4 Sept. 1851 / Benjamin Harwood b. 12 Jan. 1762 died 22 June 1851 / Abisha Kingsley b. 15 Mar. 1761 died 9 Aug. 1859 / Aaron Robinson b. 4 May 1768 died 10 Aug. 1849 / Samuel Fay b. 16 Aug 1772 died 25 Dec 1863 / David Robinson b. 12 July 1777 died 15 Mar. 1858". "Picture taken September 1848" on back. Image has no case but does have a thick glass plate above the image and a paper backing and. paper frame with gold geometric printing around edges. Plate is not a standard size, (approximately 6.5 x 5.5) which is probably why the image is not in a regular case. Image is underexposed and therefore very light. A little blurry, probably a result of having to make six elderly men sit absolutely still for as long as it took to make the photograph. |
Information |
The inscription on the back of this daguerreotype states that it was taken in September of 1848. At that time Bennington did not have a resident photographer, but there were itinerant photographers who visited small towns and stayed a few weeks or months until work ran out and they moved on. The local newspaper, "The State Banner" did have advertisements for the daguerreotypist Charles H. Gay from August through October of 1848. Gay particularly advertised his ability to photograph groups of 2 to 20 people on a single plate. It was undoubtedly him who took this picture. The advertisement in the State Banner read: Daguerreotype Atelier. Charles H. Gay, Formerly from 122 Broadway, new York, would respectfully announce to the citizens of Centre Bennington and vicinity that he has taken rooms at the Court House and is prepared to execute DAGUERREOTYPE PORTRAITS & MINIATURES, in the very highest style of the art. He will execute all the various sizes - (embracing several distinct ones,) from the smallest Locket size to the largest Cabinet size Picture, ever taken either in this country or in Europe. Groups of from 2 to 20, taken on a single plate-Landscape views-views of private residences-copies of Paintings, Statuary, &c. in an unrivalled manner. These pictures will be made with a Speculum and will not be reversed. From the long experience of the proprietor,-the superiority of his instruments, having both German and American, he flatters himself that he can give the most entire satisfaction. Aug. 18, 1848. |
Related People |
Safford, Samuel Jr. Harwood, Benjamin (1762-1851) Robinson, Aaron Robinson, David Jr. (1777-1858) Fay, Samuel Kinsley, Abisha |
Credit line |
Bequest of Mr. Hall Park McCullough |
Catalog Number |
A901 |