Group of 3 cased daguerreotypes, comprising one quarter-plate and two sixth-plates, each housed in a complete pressed-leather or paper-covered wood case with decorative brass mats and preservers. Ca. 1852 - 1856. The lot includes:

1. Quarter-plate portrait of a stern bearded gentleman by William Shew: Housed behind an oval brass mat stamped at the lower left "W. Shew / 113 Montgomery St. / San Francisco", featuring an imposing bust portrait of a dark-haired gentleman with a chin-curtain beard, wearing a dark coat with velvet collar, waistcoat, and cravat. Housed in a full pressed-leather case with embossed floral urn motif and rich crimson velvet facing pad. Plate measures 3 1/4 x 4 1/4 in.

2. Sixth-plate portrait of a young man with painted scenic backdrop by Collins: Housed behind a scalloped brass mat stamped at the lower margin "Collins, Artist, Springfield", capturing a seated youth in formal dark suit, winged collar, and bowtie before an atmospheric painted landscape backdrop depicting mountains and a river. Housed in a full leather case featuring an embossed patriotic spread-wing American eagle velvet facing pad. Plate measures 2 3/4 x 3 1/4 in.

3. Sixth-plate portrait of a woman wearing an intricate shawl: Housed behind an oval brass mat, capturing a half-length likeness of a seated woman with parted hair, wearing a patterned lace collar, neck bow, and an elaborate paisley patterned woolen shawl draped around her shoulders. Housed in a floral pressed-leather case with plush crimson velvet pad. Plate measures 2 3/4 x 3 1/4 in.

[Daguerreotypes, Quarter Plate, Sixth Plate, William Shew, San Francisco, California Gold Rush Era, Collins Artist, Springfield Massachusetts, Painted Backdrop, American Eagle Velvet, Cased Images, 1850s Photography, Antebellum Portraiture]

Very good condition overall. The Shew quarter-plate shows outstanding clarity and contrast. The Collins sixth-plate displays strong tonality and crisp detail with subtle solarization along the borders. The female portrait plate remains clean with honest peripheral haze.