D03-94. MOTHER SARAH OPDYKE . . . is written on the glass above the wizened and rheumy old woman's head, which is covered by a very dark wig and crowned with a frilly lace cap that is partially solarized. Either "any or amy Reading" is also scratched on the glass above her name. The matron was purchased in a Chicago Antique shop two weeks ago. I have checked cyber space trying to learn more about the ancient woman and only found one possibility. That soul was born about 1754, which would mean that if the sitter were the same Sarah Opdyke, she would have been nearly 100 years old when the plate was made. Her one remaining eye fully reflected the direct lighting, while the other eye socket appears to be empty. Might Indians have attacked her when she was a buxom and beautiful young lass. Are there any scars on her furrowed face? The daguerreian didn't quite have all his elements in order folks, since the plate does have the weird colors seen in the scan. Old patina surrounds the subject, which is a sixth plate that has been retaped, using the original glass. The bottom of a common leather case remains. $140