Unidentified photographer 1852 (ca) Portrait of a lady
Daguerreotype, 1/9 plate Archives of Modern Conflict OR National Gallery of Canada Attractive young lady seated in chair. She wears teardrop ear rings, a ribbon around her neck attached by a clasp-like piece of jewelry, a broach pinning the top of her bodice together and a beaded bracelet on one wrist. On her lap are about a dozen pair of what looks like machine knitted wool socks. Her dotted print dress shows clearly except on her lap which has a prudently placed piece of material to keep the wool socks from touching her dress. The reason for the apron may be to protect her dress from the stains that fresh lanolin might leave. This daguerreotype, like many occupationals asks more questions than it answers. (Matt Isenburg)
