Unidentified photographer (American)
1851 (ca)
Portrait of a Militia Dragoon Officer or Cavalryman

Daguerreotype, 1/2 plate, in leather case
4-1/4 x 5-1/2 ins (10.8 x 14.0 cm)
 
Heritage Auctions
2015 November 13 Photographs Signature Auction - Dallas #5220
 
Inscribed in pencil: Philip Daugherty, born May 9, 1793 son of John + Ann Fister Daugherty.
 
According to Jeffrey Ruggles' book Photography in Virginia, 2008, Van Loan & Retzer where only in partnership in Richmond, Virginia, operating a gallery at the Mansion House, 35 Main Street, from February 1845 until May 1846.
 
Little is known about Philip Doughtery. There is a christening record dated October 20, 1793 from Saint Michaels Church, Trenton, New Jersey for a Philip Dougherty with parents John and Ann.
 
From the fragments of the newspaper article attached to the inside of the case it seems that the "Indian robes" that he is wearing were given him by a Comanche friend. Mr. Dougherty seems to have been some type of showman and his outfit might be his costume. In the Richmond Daily Dispatch, February 19, 1852, there is the following announcement "Grand show of fowls. Our friend, Mr. Philip Dougherty, whose taste and enterprise are well known to the public, will give another proof of both today. He will exhibit some rare specimens of the feathered tribe in the yard of the Powhatan House. The curious may there see a brace of Poland Ducks, a Chinese Hen, surrounded by a brood of chickens of the same sort, several genuine African Bantam, a pair of White Doves, etc. They are great curiosities and the attention of the public generally, but more particularly of the members of the Agricultural Convention, is called to them."
 
Dougherty died of pneumonia at the City Hotel on October 17, 1853 and the next day he was buried in the Poor House Burying Ground. Some six weeks after his death, in the December 2nd 1853 edition of the Richmond Mail it was reported "Gun, etc., Lost - a small single-barrel gun, game bag, several pairs of chickens and many other things belonging to the late Philip Dougherty, are missing."
 
LL/61806