Virginia Norris [Mrs. William King Merritt] daguerreotype, 1855
Permanent ID:
6135Date:
circa 1855Image Description:
Image: 1/6 plate; Seated woman, with hair pulled back from her forehead, side hair in full ringlets covering the ears, wearing a white bonnet decorated with lace and ribbons, a white bodice with whitework collar, wide ruffled sleeves with slender undersleeves, a light colored skirt, a dark cloak, with a brooch at her throat, and a large beaded cross necklace, color applied to her cheeks. Preserver: Straight but more ornate (1850s). Mat: Oval with matte finish and simple embossed design (1850). Case: Leather-covered wood-frame embossed with a grapes and leaves design on both front and back, red velvet pinchpad, and red velvet cushion embossed with an eagle, scroll work, and the photographer's name and address (1850s).Inscription:
(pencil on paper): 16647 / Mrs [illegible] / 5. 4/4 vig- (Note on paper lining behind image package)(embossed on velvet): J. H. TOMPKINS / 204 / MAIN ST. BUFFALO. / DAGUERREOTYPIST (Embossed on case cushion)
(typed on paper): Virginia Norris / (Mrs. Willaim [sic] King Merritt) / b. 24 May 1832 / d. 9 May 1855 / gift, Mrs. H. Norris Harrison, / 1968 (Note adhered to front exterior of case)
Format:
DaguerreotypeDimensions:
Width: 7 cm, Height: 8.3 cm (image)Width: 2 3/4 in, Height: 3 9/32 in (image)
Width: 7.9 cm, Height: 9.3 cm, Depth: 1.8 cm (case)
Width: 3 1/8 in, Height: 3 19/32 in, Depth: 23/32 in (case)
Collection:
Historical Society of Pennsylvania daguerreotypes and ambrotypesRelated People or Organizations:
Norris, Virginia (depicted)Harrison, H. Norris (was donated by)
Tompkins, J. H. (photographer)
Library of Congress Subjects:
Daguerreotype [sh85035408]
Portrait photography--United States [sh2010107725]
Photographers--Marketing [sh87001204]
Portrait photography--United States [sh2010107725]
Photographers--Marketing [sh87001204]