As some of you may know, for about eight years now I have been collecting early photographic images, including dauguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and carte de visites, which became immensely popular just prior to and during the Civil War from 1861 through 1865. In my humble opinion, these objects are not just old photos, but they are portals to our past. The images that I will be posting here are moments frozen in time, and as far as I know, are unique and irreplaceable artifacts. What makes them often sad is that we will probably never know who these people were or what happened to them in the journey that is life. But I guess that makes them mysterious and much more intriguing. To me, the photo I have chosen for my first post, is especially poignant, as it documents a very young pair of newly weds beginning their life together during the late 1840s or very early 1850s. The beautiful young woman is purposefully displayed the wedding ring on her left hand as her handsome beau lovingly placed his arm around her shoulder. I purchased this amazing dauguerreotype in an antique store in Northwood, NH, but who knows how it got there! One can only hope it was treasured by this couple during their lives, and that they lived happily ever after.
3 comments:
I too love old photos. I study their eyes & facial expressions. I find it moving that they were once animated, moving,talking---like us. I look at their clothes to see personal details. I look at background. They did mundane everyday things. I find it rather profound in some way. Who were they.what did their voices sound like? I love studying the past & making it relevant & real.
I loved this picture. I also love old pictures. It is so interesting to me to look right into their eyes & study their facial expressions. To look carefully at details & personal touches on their clothes. Look at the background in some pictures that aren't as formal as this one. To think that they lived,had a life (like you & I).They existed,did day to day mundane things but now they are gone & others exist. I find it very profound & moving. This is one of the reasons that I love studying the past. It was so real as life is so real to us now.
Chris, I'm really excited about you blog! While history in general has not ever been my strength I really enjoy social history specifically. So, pictures like this that tell a story about what life was like a century or more ago are really interesting to me. Can't wait for you next post!
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