More than 200 rare images from the earliest years of photography are on view at Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan in AMERICAN REFLECTIONS: PHOTOGRAPHY BEFORE THE CIVIL WAR.

Drawn from two private collections and the holdings of Henry Ford Museum, many of these images of American life in the years 1840-1860 have never been shown to the public.

Work was a source of pride and an important element of self-identity to Americans during this period, as demonstrated by the “occupational” daguerreotypes in AMERICAN REFLECTIONS. In addition to this portrait of a telegrapher, the exhibition features superb images of blacksmiths, carpenters, and firefighters. Other rare examples depict female occupations and an African American peddler at work.

AMERICAN REFLECTIONS offers visitors a selection of rare early scenic images showing bridges, trains and businesses, and a group of daguerreotypes documenting the California Gold Rush of 1849. Another section of the exhibit includes lushly hand-tinted portraits, such as this example by Beckers & Piard of New York City.

A surprise is in store for those who think of old photographs as stiffly-posed and crudely made, especially from such an early stage in the growth of photography. AMERICAN REFLECTIONS provides selected images showing the evolution of posing and lighting techniques, charting the first creative innovations in the art of photographic portraiture. This image of two women enjoying a chat more than 150 years ago is from a group of daguerreotypes posed to appear informal, even candid.