Few indeed have been our updates to this home page. But I assure you that we we are still in the business of vintage daguerreotypes, tintypes, and ambrotypes -- unique 19th Century images created on plates of metal or glass. And we are not limited to these kinds of images. For example, we will be offering a superb range of Real Photo Post Cards (circa 1905-17) starting at the end of this year. Please keep in mind that what you see on our web site is just a small part of what we have to offer.
How can you can buy images from our robust inventory, that is so largely invisible? Start a dialogue with us. Describe your interests. Ask to see jpegs on a private e-mail basis. Arrange a visit to our in-home gallery. Connect with us at shows. Invite one of us for a visit. Or, easiest of all, arrange to see images on approval (the terms for which depend on your history with us; it helps if you are a member of the Daguerreian Society or work for a museum).
These days, most of our business is conducted privately, one-on-one. Why are we devoting less time to the web site as a sales venue? The internet has aged, and let's face reality: The Bloom is Off the Rose. Deluged, even bored by the plentiful internet, collectors realize that many things, and certainly daguerreotypes, do not translate reliably into the digital realm. Just not the same as viewing intimately in the hand; with so many tricky issues of lighting and detail. Ebay offers a broad view of what is out there, but those newly acquainted with ''hard'' images run the same risks of being misinformed/duped on eBay that I encountered as a daguerreian debutante in 1998. Plus ça change...
Alas, not at the Emeryville, CA, ''MPM All Image Show'' on October 18. Scheduling conflicts will keep us away from this engrossing show, in part because we expect to be manning a table in Rochester:
• Sunday, October 18. Rochester, NY. Photographica Trade Show & Sale, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Doubletree Hotel Rochester, 1111 Jefferson Road, Rochester (Henrietta), New York 14623. In connection with the much-anticipated 14th Triennial Symposium on the History of Photography, October 16-18, 2009. Their web site (www.tphs.org) has complete information on the three day event. And...
• Saturday, November 14. Philadelphia, PA. The Daguerreian Society Trade Fair 2009, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Crowne Plaza Philadelphia Main Line, 4100 Presidential Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19131. The most important daguerreotype sales event of the year. On the last day of the Society's three day meeting, which is well worth attending for the lecture presentations and overall camaraderie. Check for updated information at www.daguerre.org.
Drop us a line. Usually at least one of us is in California. And I expect to be wandering about the East periodically from October to March, and I always enjoy meeting fellow dealers and collectors. I am a low key salesman, quite tolerable company I am told.
Very likely Perfect Likeness will return to eBay in December -- offering a rich batch of ''hard'' images and other photographs in all price ranges. Joining a cadre of reputable dealers (I am thinking of the calibre of Greg French, who sells as ''Genest") who help to buoy up eBay as a better-informed and honest venue. To be apprised of these once-in-a-while offerings, I recommend you ask to be added to our private e-mail notification list (we promise to make the messages few and concise). On this web site, later this year, we intend to offer short illustrated essays, the occasional review of books and events (real reviews, not sugar-fests, with salt and vinegar when warranted), and perhaps a peppery smidgeon of gossip.
You can contact me at this new email address: rosscove *at* me.com.
Last update: 9 September 2009
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