#20. A FAMILIAR LAMENT! Everyone can certainly see in my scan the magical quality of the important banker, lawyer or politician. He probably resided in the best home in Brooklyn and when he visited the Williamson studio, located at 249 Fulton St., he was at the pinnacle of his long and successful career. Could he have selected a better image maker than the Williamson operators, if he had crossed over the river and strolled along Broadway in Manhattan? I will tell you conclusively that it would have been impossible. The expertly vignetted sixth plate represents the highest end of daguerreian art that was possible. Charles Williamson and his brother, Edward, consistently out performed every other studio in the country, except possibly Southworth & Hawes in Boston. The cherished object is an extraordinary walk through contrast, tonality and absolute holographic depth; the most astonishing plate you might every hold in your hands. The supple pigskin leather of the intact push button leather case (with exterior tiny brass hinges) screams quality before it is opened. The neutral velvet burgundy pad can be used to angle the man's bust (cutting down all reflections) and in strong light he literally smiles and moves around the perfectly polished surface. His flesh tones are so realistic that I wouldn't dare compare my own to his. Listen folks, it's my job to embellish daguerreotypes. One fortunate collector will believe me enough to buy the man and that person will never regret the purchase. There are two thin transparent dots, one on his lip and the other near his nose that DISAPPEAR AT EVERY GREAT VIEWING ANGLE. There is a mat mark on the opposite side from where the brass is stamped: C.H. WILLIAMSON, BROOKLYN N.Y. The rainbow circles of patina are beautiful. One last comment, my scan is horrible, compared to the daguerreotype. $595