Lot of three (3) daguerreotypes, each housed in an original embossed case with decorative stamped brass mats and preservers, ca. early-to-mid 1850s. This lot includes:

1. Sixth plate daguerreotype depicting two young sisters standing arm-in-arm, dressed in identical short-sleeved plaid cotton dresses with bow-tied shoulders and ruffled necklines. Both hold small objects, perhaps books or diaries. Framed beneath an ornate double-nonpareil brass mat with a deep crimson floral velvet pad, enclosed in a dark brown leatherette case decorated on both covers. 

2. Sixth plate daguerreotype of a handsome, dark-haired young gentleman seated beside a table, holding an upright, closed leather-bound book. The volume's cover has been meticulously highlighted by the daguerreotypist with bright, hand-applied gold leaf depicting a blooming tree with red-tinted blossoms, complemented by a gold-tinted shirt stud and neckwear accent. Housed under a heavy, scalloped  brass mat with an ornate rope-twist preserver within an embossed leatherette case featuring an intricate central cartouche. 

3. Square quarter plate daguerreotype portrait of an aristocratic woman in formal evening attire, captured in an off-the-shoulder dark silk taffeta gown with a ruched bodice. Her finery is accentuated by a tiered necklace, drop earrings, and dark lace mitts extending to her forearms. Housed under a heavy, sand-finished octagonal brass mat with an ochre velvet facing pad, and within a dark brown leatherette case featuring an embossed lyre and Greek fret border motif.

[Daguerreotype, Sixth Plate, Cased Images, 19th Century Photography, Gilded Book, Hand Tinted, Gold Leaf, Book Collector, Victorian Fashion, Plaid Dress, Sisters Portrait, Evening Gown, Lace Mitts, Lyre Case, Floral Urn Case, Embossed Leather Case]

Overall condition is very good. The plates retain strong contrast and fine focus. The portrait of the gentleman with the gilded book displays a vivid, electric-blue halo of perimeter tarnish and faint wipe marks beneath the glass; the lady in evening dress exhibits light, scattered surface dusting and soft edge toning; and the sisters portrait shows minor verdigris flecking along the inner edges of the brass preserver.