Description:

New Daguerreotypist in Jerseyville, Illinois!

In this letter to his sister Betty, the writer describes a new daguerreotypist who had set up shop in his offices in Jerseyville, Illinois. The daguerreotypist was likely Alexander C. Finley (1823-1852), who was active in Jerseyville in 1851. He and two of his children died of Asiatic cholera in Bloomington, Illinois, in July 1852. His wife also contracted the illness but recovered, remarried, and had at least two more children.

The "Mr. Y" whose daguerreotype was taken in "Odd Fellows regalia" was William Yates (b. 1821), who served as the Noble Grand or chairman of the Jerseyville Lodge of the Odd Fellows.

[PHOTOGRAPHY.] "Ab," Autograph Letter Signed, to sister Betty [?], January 30, 1851, Jerseyville, [Illinois.] 4 pp., 5" x 8". Expected folds; very good.

Excerpts

"There is a fine Daguerreotypist here now. He has 'taken rooms' in my office, and is having a great run Mr Y has been taken in Odd Fellows regalia & Anna has one of the best pictures I ever saw Mr Y has written to John to bring Lizzy and the little boys home so as to have them all taken I will have mine. He is fully equal to Long."

"We have again started our Lyceum and weekly intend (the 'intend' ought to have come first,) to electrify the people with eloquent speeches about 'which has the hardest time of it, the Indians or the niggers,' 'which is the smartest men or women,' 'Is a little dog whose tail curls so tightly on his back as to raise his hind legs off the ground, a biped or a quadruped,' and a variety of other interesting and important topics."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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October 18, 2023 11:00 AM EDT
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