Re: ? re photographics practice

Susan Knoer (mailto:smknoe01@GWISE.LOUISVILLE.EDU)
Sun, 11 Oct 1998 14:41:15 -0400

Message-Id: <199810111856.LAA34640@dns.ccit.arizona.edu>
Date:         Sun, 11 Oct 1998 14:41:15 -0400
From: Susan Knoer <mailto:smknoe01@GWISE.LOUISVILLE.EDU>
Subject:      Re: ? re photographics practice
To: mailto:IMAGELIB@LISTSERV.ARIZONA.EDU

It was indeed common, especailly after paper processes were introduced
and multiple copies could be made; but dag studios often advertised that
they would make copy dags of dags.  Since many dags were post-mortems of
people who hadn't had their picture taken in life, copy dags for family
were quite common.
  The vertical lines where the tower meets the wall might be buff or
wipe lines from the dag plate, hard to tell from the scan.
  If the details of the sole woman's clothing were clearer, I could give
you an approximate date.  As pure tupence opinion, I'd say that it might
be a farewell picture to the old building, given the number of broken
window panes.

Susan Knoer Special Collections: Photographic Archives University of Louisville mailto:smknoe01@gwise.louisville.edu

<<< Jon Reynolds <mailto:REYNOLDJ@GUNET.GEORGETOWN.EDU> 10/ 8 5:53p >>> I would be interested in opinions on whether it was at all usual to copy dageurreotypes/ambrotypes, etc. in the 1870's or 80's. We have a photo - (see www.library.georgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/i/page/holytr1.jpg ) - that would seem to be from that period. However, it shows the old Trinity Church in Georgetown, which was replaced in 1851 by an adjoining structure. Why would they pose around the old church, and not have a similar photo of the new? The newer church is very close to this structure, so close that I would think it would be visible, or at least its shadow. I thus wonder if this is not a copy of a very early photo.

We have a c. 1900 view of the two also, after the old church was extended. see: www.library.georgetown.edu/dept/speccoll/i/page/trinit~1.jpg

I know this can't really be answered, but I would be interested in any thoughts.

Jon Reynolds