Two portraits of Samuel F.B. Morse (1791-1872), co-developer and namesake of Morse Code, highlighted by signed carte de visite. Views include:

1. Half-length seated portrait of Morse. Albumen carte-de-visite (CDV). New York: J. Gurney & Son, [1859-1869]. Imprints to mount recto and verso ("707 Broadway"). SIGNED BY MORSE to mount recto: "Prof. S.F.B. Morse" 

Jeremiah Gurney (1812-1886) in fact learnt the daguerrian process from Samuel Morse, who had learnt the art directly from his acquaintance Louis Daguerre. Their studio, which he operated with his son Benjamin (1833-1899), was located at 707 Broadway from 1857 to 1869. 

Morse was a true Renaissance Man of the 19th century, known best for his artistic output as a portrait painter in his early career; he became fascinated with electromagnetism and developed the concept of a single-wire telegraph. Over time, the Morse Code would become the international standard language for telegraphy. He would even dabble in politics, running for Mayor of New York in 1836. 

Here, Morse is shown wearing several medals, including the large Cross of Knight Commander of the Order of Isabella the Catholic, awarded to him by the Queen of Spain in 1859

2. Oval vignetted portrait of Morse. New York: A. Bogardus, n.d. Bogardus' imprints ("872 Broadway") to mount recto and verso. 

[Photography, Early Photography, Historic Photography, Daguerreotypes, Ambrotypes, Tintypes, Cased Images, Union Cases, Albumen Photographs, CDVs, Carte de Visites, Cartes de Visite, Carte-de-visite, Cartes-de-visite, CDV, Cabinet Cards, Stereoviews, Stereocards, Stereographs] [Science History]