Two Different Class Picture Students (1 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Two quarter-plate daguerreotype, with each featuring multiple image showing 24 portraits of women from the Hartford Female Seminary, but 26 unique images (see below). The images have been resealed and are housed in what are likely the original full-leather cases. Unsigned, but we've seen a similar images with the name of the photographers, (Bartlett Gallery of Hartford) incised on the velvet in the case facing the image. Both a little tarnish at the very edges of the image, else very near fine. The Hartford Female Seminary was established in 1823 by Catharine Beecher and was one of the first major educational institutions for women in the US. By 1826 it had enrolled nearly 100 students and implemented radical programs such as physical education courses for women. Beecher's sister, Harriet Beecher Stowe taught at the school beginning in November of 1827. What is especially notable about this pair is that with both women in the top and bottom spots of the first row are different, demonstrating how dags could be customized. Why this was done, we can only guess, but its clear that at least two of four women are older, suggesting they are likely teachers or school administrators. From the Collection of Julian Woolf. Information from another estate from whence the other image came indicates that one of the students in the daguerreotype (second row from the bottom, extreme left) was from the Bird family of Connecticut. A remarkable image documenting an important and early school for women.