D01-81. EMILY D. LUCAS GRANDMOTHER. When Mrs. Lucas visited the gallery of John Whipple at 96 Washington St. in Boston, it was obviously after the passing of someone (most likely her husband) that was very dear to her. She dressed in a somber mourning ensemble, completed with a black lace veil that she chose to pull above her emotionless face. Whipple, one of the most astute daguerreian geniuses to operate a camera, sensibly asked his patron to sit forward in his famous, spacious padded chair. With her heavily cloaked body perfectly erect, he calmly suggested that she turn her large head slightly in his direction and tilt her neck to the right. Whipple was a maestro in his operating room and had complete control over every aspect of his artistry. As I have mentioned elsewhere this week, his unique ability to create unsurpassed tonality, was never an issue. In this fabulous resealed sixth plate Whipple might have been experimenting with a revolving backdrop. The mottling to the right of Mrs. Lucas is part of the surface of the image. The patina surrounding her is excellent. There are two small rubs on the right side in the drop. One tiny area of decay is against the mat on the lower right. The plain black leather push button case was very popular. $755