Bidspirit auction | African American Sixth-Plate Daguerreotype of

African American Sixth-Plate Daguerreotype of a Large Shingled Building - African American men are featured in this mid-19th-century sixth-plate daguerreotype depicting a massive, multi-story shingled building, likely a mill or public house. The image, which was recently recovered from an attic in Rome, New York, captures four figures standing in the main doorway, with one man prominently dressed in light-colored clothing. The building is architecturally significant for its gable-front orientation, numerous multi-pane sash windows, and central upper-level loading doors. The unique image is captured on a silver-plated copper plate, currently housed in a brass mat and preserver frame without an outer case. The reverse of the plate shows heavy natural oxidation and verdigris on the copper surface. The exterior brass frame measures approximately 3.25 x 3.75 inches. Weight class: metal and glass object, lightweight. Scratches visible in the images appear to be located on the protective glass and not on the plate surface itself. Dust and fine debris have settled between the glass and the image over time. The image is stable and in good overall condition. Significant silver mirroring and blue-gold iridescent tarnish are present along the perimeter of the plate. The brass mat and preserver show age-related tarnish and wear. The original protective case is absent.