The Columbia Fireman Returns! Sixth Plate Daguerreotype of a Young Fireman in Parade Dress
On the past September 11 I posted a daguerreotype of a young fireman in this parade dress as a tribute to all the first responders who reacted so heroically on that terrible September day. As much as we loved the image I knew that it needed expert conservation. Today he came home and we can not believe how beautiful he is!
In consultation with the conservator we decided against removing the tarnish. It is on the periphery of the plate and does not obscure the main image. There are some light wipes on the plate and he felt that the treatment would make them more obvious. It was washed, dried, and sealed with new glass. The difference is amazing. You can now see that the coat is a nubby wool while the cape is a shiny material, perhaps rubberized. The eagle and banner on the parade hat is now easy to see.
I am posting a before and after example as well.
The Columbia Fireman Returns! Sixth Plate Daguerreotype of a Young Fireman in Parade Dress
On the past September 11 I posted a daguerreotype of a young fireman in this parade dress as a tribute to all the first responders who reacted so heroically on that terrible September day. As much as we loved the image I knew that it needed expert conservation. Today he came home and we can not believe how beautiful he is!
In consultation with the conservator we decided against removing the tarnish. It is on the periphery of the plate and does not obscure the main image. There are some light wipes on the plate and he felt that the treatment would make them more obvious. It was washed, dried, and sealed with new glass. The difference is amazing. You can now see that the coat is a nubby wool while the cape is a shiny material, perhaps rubberized. The eagle and banner on the parade hat is now easy to see.
I am posting a before and after example as well.