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James A. Boyd
A Traveling Photographer's Studio
1855, 6 June
Daguerreotype, 1/2 plate
Heritage Auctions
2010 November Dallas Grand Format Americana & Political Memorabilia Auction #6047, LOT #47250
LL/67539
Inscribed in pencil script in the back of the case "Taken By James A. Boyd at White Pigeon June the 6 1855, James A. Boyd Artist, Artist Wm Hardings Car, Price $6.00", with the owner of the wagon/photographer depicted in the open window apparently being William Harding. White Pigeon, Michigan, incorporated in 1837, is the oldest incorporated village in Michigan and was the gateway to the Michigan frontier, with the U.S. Land Office selling land to settlers moving west for $1.25 an acre. A perfect location for an enterprising photographer to take advantage of the constant flow of settlers moving through the town. The wagon is shown full length, with weather boarded sides, large sliding glass windows, skylight clearly visible on the top, with smokestack apparently for a small stove inside the wagon. Wooden spoke wheels, with supports/ braces in place to hold the wagon stationary. The photographer is clearly visible through the open window, nicely posed seated. The wall in the background is covered with framed images, doubtless his "showroom," with another large window clearly visible in the background. Superb quality, just a few touches of tarnish, untouched/ uncleaned. Housed in the original fine condition brown leather geometric case. This remarkable image is accompanied by a ninth plate ambrotype of Harding, obviously the same man visible seated in the wagon, housed in the original black leather geometric case.
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