Maritime Man?

Sixth Plate Daguerreotype | The combination of a dense chin beard, a conspicuously long, lightweight black tie (tucked into his shirt) and pea coat suggest to me that this genial fellow makes his living on a merchant sailing vessel, possibly as a sea captain. Call this a reasonable conjecture, but not a certainty. The image came out an estate in Maine, a state where maritime occupations were among the most common in the antebellum era. His Anglo features and the openness of his face has a Maine Yankee look to it; a type of American directness that you still find today in the small towns on that state's convoluted coastline of many bays and harbors. I can easily imagine this fellow speaking in that distinctive Downeast accent, making some shrewd observation. He has the look of a man who has seen and done much; seasoned and ready for anything; sailing though life aided by a dry wit and a gift for camaraderie.

Condition: Fine overall with rich tones (better than the scan) and strong detail. Some tarnish at the margins, which is simply the patina of age. A few small spots on the plate; a small mat abrasion at 11:30 o'clock. New archival by a dealer in Maine. In a full case, separated at the spine.

Key points: Working man character with a maritime inflection; nicely composed; circa 1848. Sixth plate daguerreotype, in a full case separated at the spine; American; measures 3 1/4 inches x 2 3/4 inches (8.2 cm x 7.0 cm). Image #D-36; price on request.