When daguerreotypes were introduced in 1839, the first people to see them were spellbound: the New Yorker proclaimed photography to be the “Wonderful wonder of wonders!!” –with two exclamation points. Within a few years, millions of daguerreotype portraits were being made, and the sheer technological novelty of it all receded. But the sense that daguerreotypes were something to be treasured only grew. Throughout the daguerreian period — which ended shortly before the Civil War — many galleries offered the option of purchasing wearable daguerreotypes. These were small, often truly tiny daguerreotypes, mounted behind glass in bezels and then inserted into a variety of jewelry pieces.
In their new book, Tokens of Affection and Regard, Larry West and Patricia Abbott add greatly to our understanding of these most personal and treasured objects. Their information explains the important role of daguerreotype jewelry in the overall business of early photography studios. We not only see a wide range of these beautiful pieces, we see larger daguerreotypes showing them being worn or displayed for the camera. The full-color illustrations are dazzling — hundreds of glittering rarities that remind us how intimate and prized were these first photographs.
For specialist collectors, there is helpful documentation comparing the rarity of different types and styles of photographic jewelry. And for everyone interested in early photography there is wonderful information on studio practices of the 1840s and 1850s — including a selection of hitherto-unseen portraits of such famous daguerreotypists as Jeremiah Gurney and Southworth & Hawes.
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Tokens is 9 x 12 inches and contains nearly 300 color illustrations
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But it’s the jewelry that takes center stage. Tiny gold keys for winding pocket watches, and watch-fobs to be carried by gentlemen… rings and earrings and bracelets and diamond-studded lockets for the ladies… all showcasing miniature daguerreotypes, some as small as an aspirin.
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West and Abbott’s 256-page book is a precious object in itself. The design — especially the elaborate padded binding and the fully-gilded pages — marks Tokens of Affection and Regard as a luxurious keepsake befitting the delightful gems it showcases.
The only thing it lacks is drool-proof paper. Collectors, you have been warned.
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Only 1500 copies of Tokens of Affection and Regard have been published. The list price of the book is $125, but visitors to the American Museum of Photography who purchase a copy online from the publisher can receive a 10% discount. Please visit www.photojewelrybook.com and enter the discount code AMP at checkout.
Click: Museum Home Page – – – Museum Book Store
