Compelling lot of two (2) daguerreotypes, comprising:

1. Quarter plate half-length studio portrait daguerreotype. London/Liverpool: Richard Beard, ca. mid-to-late 1840s. Housed in a heavy chamfered brass mat within an original dark green morocco leather case, the rear cover bears a photographer's imprint. The waist-up portrait depicts a handsome, dark-haired young gentleman in a tailored frock coat, dark waistcoat, and high stock cravat, his watch chain highlighted with delicate gold leaf.

Beard was Britain’s first commercial daguerreotypist, purchasing patent rights from Daguerre via Miles Berry in 1841 and establishing England's first public photographic studio. Intact cases featuring Beard's complete, highly detailed royal crest gilding are scarce. 

2. Whole plate daguerreotype presented in a gilt wood and gesso gallery frame, approx. 12 1/4 x 14 1/4 in. N.p., ca. early-to-mid 1850s. The full-length family composition depicts a seated gentleman in an open dark frock coat and stock collar flanked by his young son in a fitted buttoned suit and his daughter in an off-the-shoulder patterned plaid dress.

Accompanied by a manuscript provenance note attributing the plate to the Alan Cotter collection. Cotter (1938-2018) was a pioneering photo historian and camera collector, founder of the International Directory of Camera Collectors, and co-founder of the Photographic Historical Society of America.

[Daguerreotype, Richard Beard, Beard's Photographic Institution, Royal Polytechnic Institution, London Photography, Liverpool, English Daguerreotype, Quarter Plate, Cased Image, Gilt Crest, Family Portrait, Children Daguerreotype, Plaid Dress, Alan Cotter, Gregory Pilecki, 19th Century Photography]

Overall very good condition. The Beard quarter plate displays rich tonal modulation and fine contrast across the sitter's features and hair, with light perimeter tarnish and scattered minor dusting to the mat face; the original leather case retains sound. The framed group portrait retains sharp focus across the children and father with a dramatic halo of electric-blue peripheral oxidation, displaying scattered wiping lines and minor surface age.