Bidspirit auction | Mary E. Long Reid Sixth-Plate

Mary E. Long Reid Sixth-Plate Post-Mortem Ambrotype in Thermoplastic Union Case, 1863 - This sixth-plate ambrotype is a post-mortem portrait of Mary E. Long Reid. The subject, a young girl, is depicted in a seated position within a rocking chair, her head resting on a large white pillow. She is dressed in a patterned gown with decorative trim. The photograph is contained within a decorative thermoplastic union case featuring embossed scrollwork and floral patterns. The interior is fitted with an ornate stamped brass mat and a purple velvet pad embossed with a quatrefoil motif. A handwritten ink inscription on the backing paper identifies the subject as Mary E. Long Reid, who died on September 10, 1863, in Mount Sterling, Illinois. Faint pencil marks are also present on the backing. The image is protected by its original cover glass and a brass preserver. Closed case: 3.75 inches x 3.25 inches. The collodion emulsion exhibits widespread crazing and fine surface cracking throughout the image area. Minor dust and debris are visible trapped under the cover glass. The thermoplastic case shows light surface wear with small chips at the edges and corners. The metal hinges are functional but show light oxidation. The velvet interior pad is faded and displays minor wear. The identifying backing paper is heavily stained, faded, and has significant losses at the corners where it was previously adhered.